i think the song is about the band touring europe and how they had the mentality of most americans: "were the best. why do we need to know about other cultures. they should learn our language." but as they traveled and toured they realized people hated america and most wouldnt talk to them because they were american so in order to socialize they dubbed themselves canadian.
"this passport once was golden" - is a conceit portraying how america really did used to be great but is no longer viewed the same way. it really sums up the idea of the song: america isnt as great as it used to be.
now, this story of the tour and calling themselves canadian may be true but its more likely fiction used to tell the story of so many other travelers: they come to find that americans arent embraced as much as they thought. i think this song is very witty and an awesome commentary. i ask myself the same question... when did it all go wrong?
i think the song is about the band touring europe and how they had the mentality of most americans: "were the best. why do we need to know about other cultures. they should learn our language." but as they traveled and toured they realized people hated america and most wouldnt talk to them because they were american so in order to socialize they dubbed themselves canadian.
"this passport once was golden" - is a conceit portraying how america really did used to be great but is no longer viewed the same way. it really sums up the idea of the song: america isnt as great as it used to be.
now, this story of the tour and calling themselves canadian may be true but its more likely fiction used to tell the story of so many other travelers: they come to find that americans arent embraced as much as they thought. i think this song is very witty and an awesome commentary. i ask myself the same question... when did it all go wrong?