About the song
“American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is one of the defining tracks in the rock music catalog of the 1970s, standing as an iconic anthem that has resonated with generations of listeners. Released on November 9, 1976, the song was featured on their debut album, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which marked the band’s entry into the mainstream rock scene. While the album itself was somewhat underappreciated at first, “American Girl” soon became one of the standout tracks, solidifying Petty’s reputation as a master of songwriting and blending Americana with rock ‘n’ roll.
Video
Lyrics
Well, she was an American girlRaised on promises She couldn’t help thinkin’ that there Was a little more to life Somewhere else After all it was a great big world With lots of places to run to Yeah, and if she had to die tryin’ She had one little promise She was gonna keepOh yeah, alrightTake it easy baby Make it last all night She was an American girlWell, it was kind of cold that nightShe stood alone on her balcony Yeah, she could hear the cars roll by Out on 441 Like waves crashin’ on the beach And for one desperate moment there He crept back in her memory God it’s so painful Something that’s so close And still so far out of reachOh yeah, alrightTake it easy, baby Make it last all night She was an American girlOohUh-huh-huh Uh-huh-huh Oh yeah