In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Oh oh oh
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
We are North Americans
And for those of you who still think we're from England
We're not, no
We build our planes and our trains till we think we might die
Far from North America
Where the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes
Aha, oh, oh
I hate the feelin' when you're looking at me that way
'Cause we're North Americans
But if we act all shy, it'll make it okay
Makes it go away
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
When we're North American
But in the end we make the same mistakes all over again
Come on North Americans
We are North American scum
We're from North America
And all the kids all the kids that want to make the scene
Here in North America
When our young kids get to read it in your magazines
We don't have those
So where's the love where's the love where's the
Love where's the love where's the love tonight?
But there's no love man there's no love and the kids are uptight
So throw a party till the cops come in and bust it up
Let's go North Americans
Oh you were planning it I didn't mean to interrupt
Sorry
I did it once and my parents got pretty upset
Freaked out in North America
But then I said the more I do it the better it gets
Let's rock North America
We are North American scum
We're from North America
We are North American scum
We are North American
New York's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent
Wahoo North America
And it's the furthest you can live from the government un huh huh
Some proud American Christians might disagree
Here in North America
But New York's the only place we're keepin' them off the street
Boo boo now we can't have parties like in Spain where they go all night
Shut down in North America
Or like Berlin where they go another night, alright, un huh un huh
You see I love this place that I have grown to know
Alright, North America
And yeah, I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten-foot pole
'Cause we're North Americans
We are North American scum
We are North Americans
We are North American scum
We love North America
Take me back to the states man
North American scum
Where we can be all we want if we really
North American
Where the DJ gigs are as fun
Here in North American scum
Don't blame the Canadians
Let go North America
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
We are North Americans
And for those of you who still think we're from England
We're not, no
We build our planes and our trains till we think we might die
Far from North America
Where the buildings are old and you might have lots of mimes
Aha, oh, oh
I hate the feelin' when you're looking at me that way
'Cause we're North Americans
But if we act all shy, it'll make it okay
Makes it go away
Oh I don't know, I don't know, oh, where to begin
When we're North American
But in the end we make the same mistakes all over again
Come on North Americans
We are North American scum
We're from North America
And all the kids all the kids that want to make the scene
Here in North America
When our young kids get to read it in your magazines
We don't have those
So where's the love where's the love where's the
Love where's the love where's the love tonight?
But there's no love man there's no love and the kids are uptight
So throw a party till the cops come in and bust it up
Let's go North Americans
Oh you were planning it I didn't mean to interrupt
Sorry
I did it once and my parents got pretty upset
Freaked out in North America
But then I said the more I do it the better it gets
Let's rock North America
We are North American scum
We're from North America
We are North American scum
We are North American
New York's the greatest if you get someone to pay the rent
Wahoo North America
And it's the furthest you can live from the government un huh huh
Some proud American Christians might disagree
Here in North America
But New York's the only place we're keepin' them off the street
Boo boo now we can't have parties like in Spain where they go all night
Shut down in North America
Or like Berlin where they go another night, alright, un huh un huh
You see I love this place that I have grown to know
Alright, North America
And yeah, I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten-foot pole
'Cause we're North Americans
We are North American scum
We are North Americans
We are North American scum
We love North America
Take me back to the states man
North American scum
Where we can be all we want if we really
North American
Where the DJ gigs are as fun
Here in North American scum
Don't blame the Canadians
Let go North America
Lyrics submitted by cheeseface2000
North American Scum Lyrics as written by James Jeremiah Murphy
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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a much misunderstood song this, at least in the UK. it's not saying that north americans are scum, it's James Murphy getting pissed off with a racist generalisation about the country he's from. and he's right - there's good and bad in america and you shouldn't judge a person by their government.
these are the key lines:
"i hate the feelin' when you're looking at me that way cause we're north americans but if we act all shy, it’ll make it ok makes it go away."
important sentiment, i can't believe no one (journalists, music fans) gets it.
@jameskendall and yet, here we are, judging all Russians by their government. Banning their athletes from competitions including their disabled athletes.<br /> What's good for the goose etc.
This song is not tongue in cheek. MAYBE, i doubt it, a few parts are, but lines like "You see I love this place, that I've grown to know. And yea I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten-foot pole. We are North American scum!" THAT is said sarcastically, we're "scum" yeaaaa. He's commenting on how "great" America is, because everyone would say "great" in quotation marks, but he actually does enjoy being from the country. After traveling Europe for years, and tons of tours, and being mistaken for being a European band, people find out he's American and immediately his stock in their book falls. He encourages everyone to say, yea, it's "America", but they can be "cool" just like Europe. Not only "can they be", but they are. Touch us with a ten-foot pole, see what happens. Our over-criticism is unwarranted. Of course we will be criticized, for our government, for our wars, etc, we are the most powerful country in the world, it's going to be that way no matter what. But we still are a great country, we make good music, we have great bands (LCD Soundsystem), and we say fuck the parties that go all night like in Berlin... we'll still be North American "Scum", and we're proud of it, and wouldn't have it any other way.
such a good song, kendall summed it up perfectly.
I love the female back vocal singing North American :) Pretty catchy song.
There seems to be way too many verses in this song, when we're North American.
hahahah WHAT?!?!?!
great song...new American anthem
jameskendall - you nailed it. thanks
Murphy sends up both American cultural limitations and contempt from those who think dismissing Americans as cro-magnons = instant credibility. But he's a NYC boy, so he doesn't REALLY care.
JAStewart, Theroux is hardly better than tabloid TV hosts in the US in his chosen subject matter, although he is certainly more posh and educated. Choosing an easy, sensational target is not the sign of an intrepid journalist.
probaly not the place for it but the whole louis theroux posh idiot thing is an act to get his subjects to open up and not feel threatened. the interview with him about jimmy saville on 50 greatest Documentaries was very interesting. he's very clever but jon ronson probably does the faux-niave thing better.
Yeah, the song isn't calling all North Americans scum (a reason the song probably did so well in the UK), it's sort of saying that just because our government is making questionable decisions doesn't mean all Americans feel the same way. As in any country, you've got a whole lot of nice people...and a whole lot of assholes. The narrator kind of plays up the stereotypical ignorant American, trying to party and have a good time, taking advantage of all of the freedoms he was born with.
But...who knows? Maybe James Murphy really does hate his country, lol. In some ways, I wouldn't blame him...
The song itself has an awesome groove, great to dance to, I'm sure. Actually, I wouldn't know, since I can't dance worth a lick, lol.