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American English Lyrics
Songs when the truth are all dedicated to you
In this invisible world I choose to live in
And if you believe that then now I understand
Why words mean so much to you
They'll never be about you
Maybe you're young without youth
Or maybe you're old without knowing anything's true
I think you're young without youth
Then you contract the American dream
You'll never look up once
You've contracted American dreams
I require you to stop and look up
Sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
Constantly searching to find something new
But what will you find when you think that nothing's true?
Maybe it's that nothing is new
So you'll let me hear songs that were written all about you
The good songs weren't written for you
They'll never be about you
Then you contract the American dream
You'll never look up once
You've contracted American dreams
You'll never look up once, so don't look up
Sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
Sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
And I won't tell you what this means
'Cause you'll already know
And I won't tell you what this means
'Cause you'll already know
So sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
So sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
And you came along and found the weak spot that you've always wanted
Let yourself be everything that you've always wanted
(So sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world)
It doesn't have to be so decided, as you've always wanted
And no need for explanations you've always wanted
(So sing a song about myself
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world)
You'll find what you find when you find there's nothing
And you'll find what you find when you find there's nothing
In this invisible world I choose to live in
And if you believe that then now I understand
Why words mean so much to you
They'll never be about you
Or maybe you're old without knowing anything's true
I think you're young without youth
You'll never look up once
You've contracted American dreams
I require you to stop and look up
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
But what will you find when you think that nothing's true?
Maybe it's that nothing is new
The good songs weren't written for you
They'll never be about you
You'll never look up once
You've contracted American dreams
You'll never look up once, so don't look up
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
'Cause you'll already know
And I won't tell you what this means
'Cause you'll already know
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world
Let yourself be everything that you've always wanted
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world)
And no need for explanations you've always wanted
Keep singing a song about myself
Not some invisible world)
And you'll find what you find when you find there's nothing
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yeah ok so getting onto what it actually MEANS- my oppinion is that it is about the general state of mind of the american people in that they pay no attention to the rest of the world whilst believing they know all about it. the meaning is also how Britian is quickly becoming similar or in my oppinion america's bitch. the song title "american english" supports this as it means someone who is from both countries which might as well be the same one. "youll never look up once" now that you have "contracted american dreams" this is the main part about english ppl turning into american ppl who dont know about the outside world, then "sing a song about myself" means exactly that- he may as well be talking about himself, as idlewild are english(or british at least). sorry if this offends any americans reading this but i think its the meaning of the song i didnt say it was my personal oppinion.
To me, this song is more about applying meanings of songs to yourself and writing/listening to music, then it is about the merging of britian and america. Because, being a Scottish band, I really dont think Idlewild would refer to Britain as 'England' in their title as Britain and England are very different things. It would be a blatant mistake that no one from the British Isles ever makes.
However, the title would make more sense if the mearning of the song was to do with writing and more literary things, as 'American English' is actually what the english language used in the USA is called. The way it is spoken in Britain is called 'British English.'
So perhaps this song is making reference to the way we communicate, rather than the relationship between britain and america. That makes more sense to me than any political meaning. Any one else believe so?
arghhh i am obsessed with this damn song! why is it so pretty?!?! hehehehehehe!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! :)
I heard this song last night on Mtv2, man this song rules, the video is also quite sweet. But this songis gonna make Idlewild famous, so prepare for this thread to get quite big!
I think that although this song is nice it doesn't compare to the stuff on 100 broken windows. I'm sure it'll do well. I've seen the video too, very pretty. And Roddy's certainly a sharp dresser. That outfit is very snappy. It'll be quite ironic if, like Ewan suggested, this song makes Idlewild famous since it is one of their weaker songs and they are capable of a lot more. Especially live.
selfish
You've got to remeber that it's older than 100 broken windows... Use to be called Weak Spot when they played it live, but now they've changed the name for the single.
Huzzah anyway, its a beast.
this song is soooo beautiful. i've been a fan since 99 and the new stuff is very different but it's not a bad thing, they're maturing...:) hurrah! i'm getting the album early.
i can imagine dancing in someone's arms to this. beautiful!
xxxx
This is a pure class tune from a pure class band. Idlewild rule!
This is pure class, Idlewild's 'Yellow' if you will. Been a fan since I See Shapes in 1999, and they just get better.