Written by John Mellencamp



I had a face so cute made a young girl cry

And I could blow 'em away with just a wink of my eye

I got all dolled up on a Saturday night

Can't find a lady so I'll start a fight

Hey but ain't that the American Dream



But at School the young boys would assemble down in the parking lot

And we spoke of the homecoming queen and all the goodies she's got

Well those stories would choke a semi

And every dare was do or die

Hey but ain't that the American Dream



(bridge)



Well I grew up believin' I could do what I wanted to do

When I got a little older I found that it just wasn't true

There's gotta be a place for me

Where I can out-be just what I want to be

Hey but ain't that the American Dream



Some of the girls are out teaching high school biology

And all of my boyfriends they work down at Cummmins factory

But me I'm still out on the streets trying to locate some destiny

Hey but ain't that the American Dream



(repeat bridge)