"American Boy" lyrics

"American Boy"
(feat. Kanye West)

[Kanye West:]
This a number-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.
Yes.
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 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.
Like the way he's speaking,
His confidence is peaking.
Don't like his baggy jeans
But I'm 'a 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.

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

[Estelle:]
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

Will you be my American boy, American boy?

Can we get away this weekend?
Take me to Broadway.
Let's go shopping, maybe, 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.

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.

Tell 'em wagwan 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 you thinking.
Ribena I know what you're drinking.
Rap singer. Chain blinger.
Holler at the next chick soon as you're blinking.

What's your persona
About this Americana rhymer?
Am I shallow 'cause all my clothes designer.

Dressed smart like a London bloke.
Yes.
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 of 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.

[Estelle:]
Would you be my love, my love?
Could you be mine?
Would you be my love, my love?
Could 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 kick it with you.
You'll be my American boy, be my 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 kick it with you.
You'll be my American boy.
American boy.

[Estelle:]
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Will you be my American boy?


Thanks to théo for adding these lyrics.
Thanks to Dboy, Gabriel, Sparkly Hobo, Mia, Damian for correcting these lyrics.
Writer(s): Kweli Ebon Washington, Joshua Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Roger Stephens, Estelle Swaray, Keith Ernesto Harris, William Adams, Kanye Omari West
"American Boy" uses the beat from the song "Impatient" by will.i.am, who also produced "American Boy" and album's previous single, "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)".
John Legend, Estelle's mentor, came up with the idea that she write a song about meeting an American man. She told Giantmag, "It's based off my ex, ex-boyfriend. I met him during the first album and he got me pretty excited about American boys."
Kanye West is featured in the music video for this song, dancing with Estelle.