"American" is a song by Lana Del Rey featured as the second track from her second major-label EP, Paradise, which was officially released worldwide on November 9, 2012. The song was co-written with Rick Nowels and Emile Haynie, with production by Nowels.
Background[]
A snippet of the song's instrumental leaked on April 21, 2018, followed by its leak in full on November 19. On December 26, 2022, a snippet of a demo of the song leaked.
Live performances[]
Del Rey performed the song live for the first time on the first date of the Paradise Tour on April 3, 2013, at Le Galaxie in Amnéville, France. The song was included as part of the set list for a majority of the remaining dates on the 2013 leg of the Paradise Tour, but hasn't been performed since.
The song was a part of a session recorded by Del Rey's live touring band in preparation for her Paradise Tour performances. The full rehearsal session, which featured Del Rey's pre-recorded vocals and were created with the intent of aiding the tour's videographer, leaked on October 15, 2020.
Cross-references[]
- Direct reference to "Elvis".
- The lyric "spin me 'round" can be found in "On Our Way", "Heartshaped Chevrolet", "Super Movie", "Bikini Gold", and the song of the same name.
- A party dress is referenced in "National Anthem", "Dangerous Girl", "Smarty", "True Love on the Side", "Cruel World", and "Hawaiian Tropic".
- Del Rey sings about driving fast in "Burning Desire".
- The phrase "tall, tan" is also found in "Cherry Blossom".
- "Honey, put on that party dress" is also found in "Dangerous Girl".
- The melody of the latter half of the chorus ("ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh") is also used in "I Talk to Jesus".
Official versions[]
- Album version – 4:08
- Instrumental version – 4:06
- Demo version (unleaked) – Unknown
- Paradise Tour rehearsal session – 4:08
Lyrics[]
Play house, put my favorite record on
Get down, get your crystal method on
You were like tall, tan, drivin' 'round the city
Flirtin' with the girls like, "you're so pretty"
"Springsteen is the king, don't you think?"
I was like, "hell yeah, that guy can sing"
Like ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-oh
You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Drive fast, I can almost taste it now
L.A., I don't even have to fake it now
You were like so sick, everybody said it
You were way ahead of the trend, g-get it
Elvis is the best, hell yes
Honey, put on that party dress
Like, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-oh
You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Everybody wants to go fast, but they can't compare
I don't really want the rest, only you can take me there
I don't even know what I'm saying, but I'm praying for you
You make me crazy, you make me wild
Just like a baby, spin me 'round like a child
Your skin so golden brown
Be young, be dope, be proud
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Like an American
Credits[]
- Personnel[a]
- Lana Del Rey – songwriting, vocals
- Rick Nowels – songwriting, production, keyboards, Matrix 1000
- Emile Haynie – songwriting, co-production, drums
- Kieron Menzies – recording, mixing
- Chris Garcia – additional recording
- Jordan Stilwell – additional recording
- Patrick Warren – electric guitar, piano, synthesizer
- Dan Heath – orchestral arrangement
- Tim Pierce – electric guitar
- John Davis – mastering
- Technical
- Published by EMI / Heavycrate (ASCAP) / R-Rated Music administered by EMI April Music Inc. (ASCAP)
- Recorded at The Green Building, Santa Monica, United States
- Mastered at Metropolis Mastering, London, United Kingdom
Charts and certifications[]
Weekly charts[]
Certifications[]
References[]
Notes[]
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