Miss America - David Byrne
4:20
Feelings, 1997
Written by David Byrne and Joe Galdo
Yesterday's entry left such a bad taste in my mouth that I had to try an American-themed song again. This time, Byrne delivers a song from the point of view of an immigrant. Over a Latin-tinged beat and steel drums, he presents an America that is both a "super girl" with a reputation and a conqueror and manipulator. "And I kissed America / When she was fleecing me." Pointedly slipping into Spanish, he later says, "I've always trusted you / I love America / Why do you treat me so?" Altogether a much more nuanced and accurate view of America, warts and all. Byrne's song even has the "I miss America" pun that the Castellows' does. Whew, that's better.
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