Lyrically Speaking - American Boy

"American Boy" - Estelle ft Kanye

[Kanye West:]

Just another one champion sound

Yeah, Estelle, we 'bout to get down (get down).

Who the hottest in the world right now.

Just touched down in London town.

Bet they give me a pound.

Tell them put the money in my hand right now.

Tell the promoter we need more seats,

We just sold out all the floor seats

[Chorus (Estelle):]

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.

Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.

I really want to come kick it with you.

You'll be my American boy.

He said "Hey Sister.

It's really really nice to meet you."

I just met this 5 foot 7 guy who's just my type.

I like the way he's speaking his confidence is peaking.

Don't like his baggy jeans but I'mma like what's underneath them.

And no I ain't been to MIA

I heard that Cali never rains and New York's wide awake.

First let's see the west end.

I'll show you to my brethren.

I'm liking this American boy, American boy

[Chorus:]

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day

Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.

I really want to come kick it with you.

You'll be my American boy, American boy

Can we get away this weekend?

Take me to Broadway.

Let's go shopping, baby, then we'll go to a café.

Let's go on the subway.

Take me to your hood.

I never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good.

Dress in all your fancy clothes.

Sneakers looking fresh to death, I'm loving those Shell Toes.

Walking that walk.

Talk that slick talk.

I'm liking this American boy, American boy.

[Chorus:]

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day

Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.

I really want to come kick it with you.

You'll be my American boy

Let them know a gwan blud

[Kanye West:]

Who Killing 'em in the UK.

Everybody gonna say you K,

Reluctantly 'cause most of this press don't fuck with me.

Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down, don't act a fool now, now."

I always act a fool oww oww.

Ain't nothing new now now.

He crazy, I know what ya thinking.

Ribena I know what you're drinking.

Rap singer. Chain Blinger.

Holla at the next chick soon as you're blinking.

What's your persona.

About this Americana Brama.

Am I shallow 'cause all my clothes designer.

Dressed smart like a London Bloke.

Before he speak his suit bespoke.

And you thought he was cute before.

Look at this peacoat, tell me he's broke.

And I know you ain't into all that.

I heard your lyrics I feel your spirit.

But I still talk that CASH.

'Cause a lot wags wanna hear it.

And I'm feeling like Mike at his Baddest.

Like The Pips at they Gladys.

And I know they love it.

So to hell with all that rubbish

Writer Credits - SPEIR, CALEB / HARRIS, KEITH ERNESTO / ADAMS, WILLIAM / WEST, KANYE OMARI / STEPHENS, JOHN ROGER / SWARAY, ESTELLE / LOPEZ, JOSHUA / WASHINGTON, KWELI EBON

I LOVE the lyrics of this song. So clever, and such great word play. The sung part is written like a rap too.

I like the way he's speaking his confidence is peaking.

Don't like his baggy jeans but I'mma like what's underneath them.

I like, I don't like, I like

I heard that Cali never rains and New York's wide awake.

IE "It never rains in southern california" and New Yourk being the city that never sleeps

Who Killing 'em in the UK.

Everybody gonna say you, K,

Reluctantly 'cause most of this press don't fuck with me.

Yes, he rhymes reluctantly with fuck with me!

Estelle once said to me, "Cool down, down,

don't act a fool now, now."

I always act a fool oww oww.

Ain't nothing new now now.

Repetition

Dressed smart like a London Bloke.

Before he speak his suit bespoke.

Word play in speak/bespoke

And I'm feeling like Mike at his Baddest.

Like The Pips at they Gladys.

Cultural references. Pips at their gladdest is beautiful.

Yes, Kanye is a dead set egotistical tool, but these lyrics are great, and reasonably CLEAN, too.

Lyrically Speaking - A Day In The Life

A Day In The Life - The Beatles

I want to specifically look at the middle eight.

Woke up, fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup
And looking up I noticed I was late
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke
And somebody spoke and I went into a dream

Writer credits Lennon & McCartney

I just love the "dragged a comb across my head", rather than saying "I combed my hair" he drags a comb across his head, like he did it, but not really caring how it looks as he's in such a rush.

Then he "drank a cup", being British in the sixties was likely a hot cup of tea, but he doesn't really need to say. Today it would be a cup of coffee. Whatever drink it is that we need in the morning to get ourselves going. 

I always loved the sentiment of those couple of lines, otherwise, I could spend ages analysing the rest of the song...

I'd love to tuuuuuurn youuuuuuuuu oooooooon!

Lyrically Speaking - Five Foot Two

Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue
(Has Anybody Seen My Gal?)

Five foot two, eyes of blue
But oh what those five foot could do
Has anybody seen my gal?

Turned up nose and turned down hose
Never had another beaus (or "Flapper, oh yes! One of those")
Has anybody seen my gal?

Now if you run into five foot two covered with fur
Diamond rings and all those things
Bet your life it isn't her...

Could she love could she woo
Could she could she could she coo
Has anybody seen my gal?

various writer credits depending on source and variation



Very typical 1920s style jazz, and a simple progression with 7th chords going backwards through the circle of fifths.

But there are some gems in the lyrics - diamond rings and all those things, get it? I love the "Turned up nose, turned down hose" line, not only with the up/down, but the reference to '20s style fashion of the flappers who used to turn down their hose (stockings) so they were visible under the short dresses.

I also adore the "could she could she could she coo" line, and how it sounds when sung. One of my favourite little lines!