Just like I missed out on the 2007 summer hit ‘Umbrella’ and discovered Rihanna about a year and a half after the fact, somehow Estelle’s ‘American Boy’ passed me by in the summer of 2008. I guess this is what I get for not listening to the radio (or, as is often the case now, listening to fruity XM stations like ‘The Coffee House’ that play the same alterna-safe artists in constant rotation).
I don’t know much about Estelle other than her nationality (British) and that she had an international hit with this song. Kanye West joins her on the track but I don’t believe either of them wrote it. It was produced by Will.i.am, who is quite good at this sort of thing.
The rhythm track is actually a total lift from a Will.i.am song, though it’s put to much better effect here. This melody feels so light and airy, so… French. The song is an intriguing mix of hip-hop and a sort of square ‘Girl from Ipanema’ kinda thing. Hey, why not? It works.
So now I’m determined to not miss out on the summer hit of 2009, whatever it may be. I’ll likely be deep into the new Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello albums when it hits, but I’ll keep one ear open. Just you wait…
Yeah, Estelle we 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
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 ya”
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’ma 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 bedroom
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
Will you 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 neva been to Brooklyn and I’d like to see what’s good
Dressed in all your fancy clothes
Sneaker’s looking fresh to death
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 kick it with you
You’ll be my American Boy
Who killin’ em in the UK?
Everybody gonna say you K
Reluctantly, because 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 you’re persona
About this Americana?
Drama, 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 cash
Cuz a lot wag’s want to hear it
And I’m feelin’ like Mike at his baddest
Like the Pips at their gladdest
And I know they love it
So to hell with all that rubbish
Would you be my love, my love?
Would 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, American Boy
Take me on a trip, I’d like to go some day
Take me to New York, I’d loved to see LA
I really want to come kick it with you
You’ll be my American Boy, American Boy
Meet Me In Montauk 
The chorus of this song sounds familiar, so it must have come across my radar at some point, but I am also guilty of missing the hit songs of today because I just don’t listen to top 40 radio. While I too stay in my Coffee House world, listening to Radio Disney with the kids sometimes makes me aware of some of these artists. And Maddie seems to know what is hot in music (as she should!), so I hear her either singing these songs or playing them from YouTube.
I like this song, mostly for the reasons you mentioned–the European/French style combined with the hip-hop. Pretty infectious. I can see why the youngins liked it:)
“Alterna-safe” ?! What the hell does that mean. Oh, yes, Ms. Estelle is soooooo dangerous. 😛
Meanwhile, as I’m writing this, Daniel just walked over and started singing the chorus ahead of time. “This is American Boy,” he says casually. “Maddie sings it.”
And Maddie and Daniel are on the cutting edge of the dangerous artists :-PPP
When I go to the website for The Coffee House, they promise:
Artists You’ll Hear
Jack Johnson
John Mayer
Tracy Chapman
David Gray
Norah Jones
Ray Lamontagne
Shawn Colvin
Jason Mraz
Indigo Girls
Ryan Adams
Not sure what makes those artists either “alterna” or “safe.” Tracy Chapman’s talks about a revolution, for crying out loud. Anyway, I don’t mean to rain on your hit seeking parade. I just don’t see why you need to be disparaging about the “acoustic rock” offered on these XM stations. A funny aside – the site offers other stations you might also enjoy. Those stations (Loft and Spectrum) provide similar lists of artists you’re likely to hear if you listen. Each list is unique with one exception – Ryan Adams appears on all three. Not sure if that makes him the most “altern-safe” of the artists featured, but I found it intriguing just the same.
Oh, and I like this song just fine.
Hey, don’t get so defensive! I listen to all three of those stations all the time… I’m not disparaging the stuff they play, just pointing out that they have a very limited playlist and it doesn’t encompass anything you’ll find in the top 40. And the only black artist you’ll find on any of them is Tracy Chapman who is about the whitest black person in pop music.
That ‘Artists You’ll Hear’ list is a perfect distillation of what I’m talking about. None of those, with the occasional exception of John Mayer and Jason Mraz, is a huge hit-maker. They all play mid-tempo singer-songwriter stuff. There’s no hint of hip-hop or R&B in their music.
And, just to be clear, I like every one of them either a little bit or a lot. All I’m saying is that because I listen to that stuff, I’m seldom exposed to stuff like ‘Umbrella’ and ‘American Boy.’ Maybe I should spend more time on Radio Disney. 🙂
Give it time, Lowenstein; give it time.
I’m defensive about the “alterna-safe” label. Since when are hits not safe? Seems to be it’s quite the opposite. When Kara, the newest hideous judge on American Idol, goes on and on about how this or that one would be the perfect package artist and is soooo commercial, she’s hardly touting the person for being cutting edge. Maybe I misunderstand what you mean by safe. What do you mean?
And, while I know you’re being facetious, calling anyone “the whitest black person” is beyond insulting. I suppose Justin Timberlake or Eminem is “the blackest white person” simply because they sing music that has those R&B or hip hop influences? Puhleeze!!!
You saw Tracy Chapman in concert, right? How many black people were in the crowd?
What I mean by “safe” is safe for people like you and me who probably don’t want to hear Top 40 fare on the radio. The Coffee House is a place for NPR listeners to hang out and listen to music that’s just hip enough but that won’t hurt our eardrums.