The song of the day is "American Boy" by Estelle. Quite a different tune than last week, it has some very interesting merits. The funky beat employed by Estelle and Kanye West, who is featured on the track, immediately makes the listener want to dance. The lyrics rhyme occasionally and draw the listener in.
Estelle is a new artist in the hip-hop scene. She is 28 years old and British. Her first album was entitled "The 18th Day" and was released in 2004, not garnering nearly as much appreciation as her second album "Shine" (2008). "American Boy" is on "Shine" and has an impressive record as a single. It reached #1 on UK charts, #2 on Irish charts, and #9 on both US and Canadian charts.
The creative and clever lyrics follow:
Kanye West:
Just another one champion sound
yeah Estelle about to 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.
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 pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy.
He said, hey sister,
It's really really nice to meet ya.
I just met this 5 foot 7 guy who's just my type.
Like the way he's speaking, his confidence is peaking.
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them.
And no I ain't been to MIA
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's heart awaits. First let's see the west end.
I'll show you to my bridren.
I'm like this American Boy. American Boy
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 pick 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've never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good.
Dress in all your fancy clothes.
Sneaker's looking Fresh to Def I'm lovin' those Shell Toes.
Walkin' that walk.
Talk that slick talk.
I'm likin' this American Boy, American Boy.
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 pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy
tell em wagwan blood
Kanye West:
Who killin em in the U.K. Everybody gonna to say YOU K, reluctantly, cuz most of this press don't f**k wit 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 thinkin. Ribena I know what you're drinkin'. Rap singer. Chain Blinger. Holla at the next chick soon as you're blinkin'. What's your persona about this Americana. Brama, Am I shallow, cuz 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 P Coat tell me he's broke. And I know you're not into all that. I heard your lyrics, I feel your spirit. But I still talk that CAAASH cuz a lot W.A.G.S wanna hear it. And I'm feelin like Mike at his Baddest. Like the Pips at they Gladys. And I know they love it. So to hell with all that rubbish.
Estelle:
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Could you be my love, my love.
Would you be my American Boy, American Boy.
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to Chicago, San Francisco Bay.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy. American Boy.
This song is a perfect reflection of pop culture. All the lyrics talk about is fashion, sex, and the foreign obsession with America. Kanye, an American artist, is playing the role of the "American boy" in the lyrics. Estelle talks to him all about how she wants to be his girl just so he will take her places and buy her things. She even refers to liking "what's underneath [his baggy jeans]." Estelle implies in her lyrics that all she wants out of an American boy is someone to give her what is normally viewed as shallow in a relationship.
I still like this song a lot because of the beat and how easy it is to sing along to. I don't agree with the message sent out by the singers. I don't think that the international fascination with US culture is healthy or beneficial. Estelle and Kanye also use rather harsh language that should warn parents and/or younger listeners away. All in all, I think that "American Boy" gets the completely wrong image of pop culture and internationalism across, despite its funky beat.
Here is a link to a YouTube video of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJwVHB-bEw
Estelle is a new artist in the hip-hop scene. She is 28 years old and British. Her first album was entitled "The 18th Day" and was released in 2004, not garnering nearly as much appreciation as her second album "Shine" (2008). "American Boy" is on "Shine" and has an impressive record as a single. It reached #1 on UK charts, #2 on Irish charts, and #9 on both US and Canadian charts.
The creative and clever lyrics follow:
Kanye West:
Just another one champion sound
yeah Estelle about to 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.
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 pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy.
He said, hey sister,
It's really really nice to meet ya.
I just met this 5 foot 7 guy who's just my type.
Like the way he's speaking, his confidence is peaking.
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them.
And no I ain't been to MIA
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's heart awaits. First let's see the west end.
I'll show you to my bridren.
I'm like this American Boy. American Boy
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 pick 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've never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good.
Dress in all your fancy clothes.
Sneaker's looking Fresh to Def I'm lovin' those Shell Toes.
Walkin' that walk.
Talk that slick talk.
I'm likin' this American Boy, American Boy.
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 pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy
tell em wagwan blood
Kanye West:
Who killin em in the U.K. Everybody gonna to say YOU K, reluctantly, cuz most of this press don't f**k wit 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 thinkin. Ribena I know what you're drinkin'. Rap singer. Chain Blinger. Holla at the next chick soon as you're blinkin'. What's your persona about this Americana. Brama, Am I shallow, cuz 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 P Coat tell me he's broke. And I know you're not into all that. I heard your lyrics, I feel your spirit. But I still talk that CAAASH cuz a lot W.A.G.S wanna hear it. And I'm feelin like Mike at his Baddest. Like the Pips at they Gladys. And I know they love it. So to hell with all that rubbish.
Estelle:
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Could you be my love, my love.
Would you be my American Boy, American Boy.
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to Chicago, San Francisco Bay.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy. American Boy.
This song is a perfect reflection of pop culture. All the lyrics talk about is fashion, sex, and the foreign obsession with America. Kanye, an American artist, is playing the role of the "American boy" in the lyrics. Estelle talks to him all about how she wants to be his girl just so he will take her places and buy her things. She even refers to liking "what's underneath [his baggy jeans]." Estelle implies in her lyrics that all she wants out of an American boy is someone to give her what is normally viewed as shallow in a relationship.
I still like this song a lot because of the beat and how easy it is to sing along to. I don't agree with the message sent out by the singers. I don't think that the international fascination with US culture is healthy or beneficial. Estelle and Kanye also use rather harsh language that should warn parents and/or younger listeners away. All in all, I think that "American Boy" gets the completely wrong image of pop culture and internationalism across, despite its funky beat.
Here is a link to a YouTube video of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJwVHB-bEw
