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the american


composers
Lyrics: Kerr
Music: Simple Minds


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing


background
One of a batch of songs written in a flat in Edinburgh at the start of 1981, The American was first tried out live during the mini-tour of the USA and Canada. It was inspired by the bright colours of an exhibition of modern American art that Jim had visited.

Selected as the first single from the forthcoming album, The American was the first song completed during the Sons And Fascination sessions.




lyrics
Here comes the shake,
The speed-decade wake.
I see you wake,
Shake,
Fit on those overalls,
What do you know about this world anyway?

I see a man,
With an airfield plan.
I caught a boy fall out of the sky.
What do you know about this world anyway?

Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Amer-American,
In collective fame.
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Amer-American,
Nassau club day.
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Amer-American,
Across a curved earth,
In collective fame.
Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Amer-American,
The eventful work-outs,
Nassau club days.

Here comes the flag,
I'm walking in the black.

Every time you touch this place,
It feels like sin.
Every time the handshake starts,
The face draws thin.
What do you know about this world anyway?

Here comes the sun,
The american sun,
In here the sun shines so bright,
Eyes blind.
What do you know about this world anyway?

Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Ameri-Amer-American,
The eventful workouts,
Nassau club days.

Here comes the flag.
Hand-shake.
This world.....



discography
Edit (3:32)
Producer: Steve Hillage
Engineer: Hugh Jones

The Amercian 7" single Promised You A Miracle US 7" single The Best Of Simple Minds CD1 Promo The Best Of The Best Of SACD The Best Of Night Of The Proms Special Remastered Edition Early Gold Promo CD Early Gold CD Black And White 050505 Russian CD Early Gold US Promo CD Gift Pack Limited Edition

Album Version (3:49)
Producer: Steve Hillage
Engineer: Hugh Jones

Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call Limited Edition LP Sister Feelings Call LP Sons And Fascination MC Sons And Fascination Canadian LP Themes For Great Cities LP Sister Feelings Call MC Sons And Fascination CD Sons And Fascination MC (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination Remaster Promo CD Sons And Fascination Remaster Limited Edition CD Sons And Fascination Remaster CD

Extended (6:55)
Producer: Steve Hillage
Engineer: Hugh Jones

The Amercian 12" single Promised You A Miracle US 12" promotional single #1 Promised You A Miracle US 12" single The Platinum Collection CD

Demo (4:03)
Producer: Mick MacNeil
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
Silver Box Promo CDR #2 Silver Box




videography
Live Version (20th Nov 1982) (5:50)
Recorded: Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, UK
Live Engineer: Pete Walsh


Seen The Lights - A Visual History Promo DVD Seen The Lights - A Visual History DVD Seen The Lights - Live In Verona Promo DVD Seen The Lights - Live In Verona DVD




demo discography
Demo Version (4:03)
Producer: Mick MacNeil
Sons And Fascination demo tape



live history
Sons And Fascination Tour: 1981
Sons And Fascination Tour: 1982
New Gold Tour: 1982-1983
The Floating World Tour: 2002
Alive And Kicking Tour: 2003
Festival Tour: 2004