The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come hanging 'round my door
I don't wanna see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growing old with you
Now, woman, stay away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come knocking 'round my door
I don't wanna see your shadow no more
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now, woman, get away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, I said get way
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come hanging 'round my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now, woman, get away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
I gotta go
I gotta get away
Babe, I gotta go
I wanna fly away
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
A-bye-bye, a-bye bye
Bye-bye, bye-bye
(American woman)
You're no good for me
And I'm no good for you
(American woman)
I look you right straight in the eye
And tell you what I'm gonna do
(American woman)
I'm gonna leave you, woman
You know I gotta go
(American woman)
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I gotta go
(American woman)
I, I gotta go
I gotta go, American woman, yeah
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come hanging 'round my door
I don't wanna see your face no more
I got more important things to do
Than spend my time growing old with you
Now, woman, stay away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, get away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
Don't come knocking 'round my door
I don't wanna see your shadow no more
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now, woman, get away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, I said get way
American woman, listen what I say
Don't come hanging 'round my door
Don't wanna see your face no more
I don't need your war machines
I don't need your ghetto scenes
Colored lights can hypnotize
Sparkle someone else's eyes
Now, woman, get away
American woman, listen what I say
American woman, stay away from me
American woman, mama, let me be
I gotta go
I gotta get away
Babe, I gotta go
I wanna fly away
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I'm gonna leave you, woman
A-bye-bye, a-bye bye
Bye-bye, bye-bye
(American woman)
You're no good for me
And I'm no good for you
(American woman)
I look you right straight in the eye
And tell you what I'm gonna do
(American woman)
I'm gonna leave you, woman
You know I gotta go
(American woman)
I'm gonna leave you, woman
I gotta go
(American woman)
I, I gotta go
I gotta go, American woman, yeah
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This song is a great one to wake up to if you're on the road. The end( where he says a couple lines) is incredibly funny, it's so lame, makes me crack up every time. I find it a decent song though besides that last part.