She's American

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| quote = "I think that one was very playful{{nbsp}}... very tongue-in-cheek. But it's just based on the very kind of minute aspects of the interplay between kind of 'young British boy in rock band and American girl.' Yeah, it's a tale as old as time, it's just another one of those songs."

| source = —Healy, on the meaning of "She's American".{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1859534/qa-the-1975s-matt-healy-on-his-bands-massive-adventurous-new-lp/interviews/|title=The Week In Pop Q&A: The 1975's Matt Healy On His Band's Massive, Adventurous New LP|last=DeVille|first=Chris|work=Stereogum|date=18 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303080242/https://www.stereogum.com/1859534/qa-the-1975s-matt-healy-on-his-bands-massive-adventurous-new-lp/interviews/|url-status=live}}

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In an interview with Joe Lynch of Billboard, the 1975's lead singer Matty Healy described "She's American" as "playful". When asked about a line in the song that refers to fixing his teeth and if it was a cultural difference between the Americans and the British, the singer said the track was: "Not a snarling takedown but it's about being in an English rock band and the nuances of the courting process between American girls and British boys. Teeth are a big currency in America."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6858333/the-1975-new-album-matt-healy-interview|title=The 1975's Matt Healy on Fake Famous Friendships, His Secret Dance Project & Why Trap Is the New Punk|last=Lynch|first=Joe|magazine=Billboard|date=28 January 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=18 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418111206/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6858333/the-1975-new-album-matt-healy-interview|url-status=live}} Healy was also asked about the line by Chris DeVille of Stereogum, telling the interviewer: "British people don't have bad teeth, but ['She's American'] is more about being British than it is about girls being American." On 4 November 2016, "She's American" was released by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the sixth single from I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/key-releases/singles|title=Key Releases|work=Music Week|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=7 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007094247/http://www.musicweek.com/key-releases/singles|url-status=dead}}

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| description = A 27-second sample of the chorus of "She's American", showcasing the song's 1980s-style beat, futuristic synths and saxophone solo as Healy highlights the differences between himself and his American partner.

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Musically, "She's American" is a funk,{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/25/11116184/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-album-review|title=The 1975's new album is ambitious, absurd, and kind of awesome|last=Cox|first=Jamieson|work=The Verge|date=25 February 2016|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113128/http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/25/11116184/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-album-review|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/the-1975-tour-review-the-most-interesting-pop-act-around-a3197441.html|title=The 1975, tour review: The most interesting pop act around|last=Smyth|first=David|work=Evening Standard|date=7 March 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502082132/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/the-1975-tour-review-the-most-interesting-pop-act-around-a3197441.html|url-status=live}} pop and synth-pop song with a length of four minutes and thirty seconds (4:30).{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-mw0002906304|title=I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It – The 1975|last=Collar|first=Matt|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102165407/https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-mw0002906304|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-contradictory-and-irritating-but-starting-to-live-up-to-the-hype-album-review-a6897916.html|title=The 1975, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It, album review|last=Gill|first=Andy|work=The Independent|date=26 February 2016|access-date=19 March 2021|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328155737/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-contradictory-and-irritating-but-starting-to-live-up-to-the-hype-album-review-a6897916.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-1975-keeps-people-guessing-on-a-self-aware-enterta-1798186749|title=The 1975 keeps people guessing on a self-aware, entertaining second album|author-link=Annie Zaleski|last=Zaleski|first=Annie|work=The A.V. Club|date=26 February 2016|access-date=20 March 2021|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108131907/https://music.avclub.com/the-1975-keeps-people-guessing-on-a-self-aware-enterta-1798186749|url-status=live}} The song was written by the 1975 members George Daniel, Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while the former two handled the production alongside Mike Crossey.{{cite AV media notes|others=The 1975|title=I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It|year=2016|type=inlay cover|publisher=Dirty Hit and Polydor Records|page=11}} The retro instrumentation is composed of a 1980s-style beat,{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/album-review-the-1975-ii-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-iti-16885718|title=Album Review: The 1975 I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It|last=McFee|first=Edwin|work=Hot Press|date=17 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501133338/https://www.hotpress.com/music/album-review-the-1975-ii-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-iti-16885718|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://idobi.com/editorial/the-1975-black-vs-pink/|title=We Like it When The 1975 Makes Music, For Their Albums are So Beautiful and They're Probably Aware of it|publisher=idobi|date=10 March 2016|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430180159/https://idobi.com/editorial/the-1975-black-vs-pink/|url-status=live}} "gooey" futuristic synths,{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/music/music-review-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-by-the-1975-1.1685261#|title=Music review: 'I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it' by The 1975|work=Gulf News|date=6 March 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501135044/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/music/music-review-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-by-the-1975-1.1685261|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep|title=Growth and survival with The 1975|last=Rindner|first=Grant|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=25 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018185647/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep|url-status=live}} "tinny" rhythm guitars, funk guitar licks,{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/nothing-to-prove-20190923-p52tzk.html|title=Nothing to prove|last=Palathingal|first=George|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 September 2019|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501190451/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/nothing-to-prove-20190923-p52tzk.html|url-status=live}} a funk bass, a slap-bass "fizz",{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21412-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it/|title=The 1975: I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it|last=Snapes|first=Laura|work=Pitchfork|date=25 February 2016|access-date=20 March 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102165337/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21412-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it/|url-status=live}} a subtle saxophone solo, "radiant" harmonies and twitching "spindly" guitar lines.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/track-by-track-the-1975s-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-11266|title=The 1975's Mad 'I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It' – A Track-By-Track Dissection|last=Daly|first=Rhian|work=NME|date=10 February 2016|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115215015/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/track-by-track-the-1975s-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-11266|url-status=live}} The track also incorporates elements of disco, yacht rock and synth-funk.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-ironic-or-sincere-1.2548171|title=I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It|last=Murphy|first=Lauren|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=25 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=26 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226095702/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-ironic-or-sincere-1.2548171|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7624455/the-1975-review-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-so-beautiful-unaware?chrome=1|title=I Was So Wrong About The 1975|last=Williot|first=Carl|work=Idolator|date=25 February 2016|access-date=2 May 2021}}

Lyrically, "She's American" is a commentary on cultural differences between the British and Americans. The song describes being involved with a romantic interest while not making the relationship official, with Healy warning of mistaking the moment with falling in love with the girl.{{cite web|url=https://hyperallergic.com/307306/they-might-be-assholes-jake-bugg-panic-at-the-disco-the-1975-drake/|title=They Might Be Assholes: Jake Bugg, Panic! at the Disco, The 1975, Drake|last=Fagen|first=Lucas|work=Hyperallergic|date=25 June 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429043717/https://hyperallergic.com/307306/they-might-be-assholes-jake-bugg-panic-at-the-disco-the-1975-drake/|url-status=live}} The track's intro contains a 1980s live-drum sound and opens with the couplet: "Big town, synthetic apparitions of not being lonely."{{cite web|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/the-1975-a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships|title=The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships|last=Harris|first=Harry|work=The Skinny|date=3 December 2018|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201151259/https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/the-1975-a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships|url-status=live}} The verses, which contain a "serpentine" guitar line, feature "dramatic" lyrics dealing with topical subjects such as painkillers, guns ("And I think she's got a gun divinely decreed and custom made") and "other American appetites", according to Jonathan Wroble of Slant Magazine.{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep/|title=Review: The 1975, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It|last=Wroble|first=Jonathan|work=Slant Magazine|date=3 March 2016|access-date=20 March 2021|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930171837/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep/|url-status=live}} In the chorus, the singer details the cultural differences between himself and his American partner, who is attracted to things he cannot understand, singing: "If she likes it cos we just don't eat / And we're socially relevant, she's American".

Deeming "She's American" the best song on I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It, Edwin McFee of Hot Press compared it to a John Hughes soundtrack and said the track "will ensure [the 1975] keep[s] selling out arenas around the world". The Verge writer Jamieson Cox praised the song's hooks and deemed it an album highlight. Writing for idobi, Dana Reandelar declared the track as her favourite song from the record and praised its 1980s-style beat, "catchy" verses and hooks. The Red & Black{{'}}s Emma Korstanje commended the "unforgettable [and] catchy" hook of "She's American".{{cite web|url=https://www.redandblack.com/culture/the-1975-s-new-album-difficult-to-dislike/article_5c593bc0-df0f-11e5-b743-afd93fbf62f8.html|title=The 1975's new album difficult to dislike|last=Korstanje|first=Emma|work=The Red & Black|date=1 March 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503152130/https://www.redandblack.com/culture/the-1975-s-new-album-difficult-to-dislike/article_5c593bc0-df0f-11e5-b743-afd93fbf62f8.html|url-status=live}} Alan Sculley of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune wrote that the song contains an "immediacy" that "draw[s] one into the album and prompt[s] further listens".{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20161130/interview-1975s-matt-healy-says-album-isnt-about-my-ego|title=Interview: The 1975′s Matt Healy says album isn't about 'my ego'|last=Sculley|first=Alan|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=30 November 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501214158/https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20161130/interview-1975s-matt-healy-says-album-isnt-about-my-ego|url-status=live}} Following the release of I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It, Hyperallergic writer Lucas Fagen expressed his desire to see the band release it as a single.

Laura Snapes of Pitchfork used "She's American" as an example of the record's "enormous[ly] fun" sound and praised Healy's "clenched-fist" vocals. Wroble highlighted the "shimmering" chorus, saying the song will "transport [the listener] instantly to a shopping mall", and also commended the "catchy" lyrics of the verses. The Line of Best Fit writer Grant Rindner praised the production's "underlying solemnity" and wrote that while the song is a "difficult act to pull off", Healy is successful in "sell[ing] both lines". Rhian Daly of NME commended Hann's "spidery" guitar work, calling the track an "ode to a girl across the pond". The Irish Times{{'}} Lauren Murphy compared the incorporation of yacht rock in "She's American" to the works of Phil Collins and Steely Dan.

Renowned for Sound writer Jessica Thomas commended the "vibrancy" of "She's American",{{cite web|url=http://renownedforsound.com/album-review-the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it/|title=Album Review: The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It|last=Thomas|first=Jessica|work=Renowned for Sound|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501130645/http://renownedforsound.com/album-review-the-1975-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it/|url-status=live}} while The A.V. Club{{'}}s Annie Zaleski called the song a "gauzy, synth-pop daydream" and Jessi Roti of the Chicago Tribune deemed the track an "art-funk confection".{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-the-1975-united-center-chicago-review-0510-story.html|title=The 1975 review: Matty Healy eclipses his own band at the United Center|last=Roti|first=Jessi|work=Chicago Tribune|date=9 May 2020|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430180157/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-the-1975-united-center-chicago-review-0510-story.html|url-status=live}} Writing for The Observer, Michael Hann described "She's American" as a "sharp pop song about being an Englishman desired by American girls".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/15/the-1975-matt-healy-no-ones-asking-you-to-inspire-revolution-interview|title=The 1975: 'No one's asking you to inspire a revolution. But inspire something'|last=Hann|first=Michael|work=The Guardian|date=15 November 2015|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033139/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/15/the-1975-matt-healy-no-ones-asking-you-to-inspire-revolution-interview|url-status=live}} In a mixed review, Patricia Guzman of The Harvard Crimson wrote that the song is not "necessarily unpleasant to listen to but lack[s] conviction", finding it too derivative of the 1975's previous songs.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/3/11/1975/|title=The 1975 Regrettably Stagnant on Sophomore Release|last=Guzman|first=Patricia|work=The Harvard Crimson|date=11 March 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204103147/http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/3/11/1975/|url-status=live}} In his review of I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It for The Independent, Andy Gill was ambivalent toward the first half of the album, including "She's American", deeming it "brittle". In the 1975's native United Kingdom, "She's American" peaked at number 176 on the UK Singles Chart and number 91 in Scotland,{{cite web|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/160305cluk.txt|title=Chart Log UK: New Entries Update|work=Zobbel.de|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-date=16 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016170706/http://zobbel.de/cluk/160305cluk.txt|url-status=live}} and was later certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting sales of over 200,000 units in the UK. In the United States, the song peaked at number 32 on the US Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

An accompanying music video was expected to be released on Christmas in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-shes-american-video-two-years-late-2424281|title=Are The 1975 finally releasing the 'She's American' video?|last=Maine|first=Samantha|work=NME|date=22 December 2018|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811193931/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-shes-american-video-two-years-late-2424281|url-status=live}} However, following the 2016 US presidential election results, the band's manager, Jamie Oborne, revealed that a visual for fellow album track "Loving Someone" would be released beforehand.{{cite web|url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/the-1975/11711|title=The 1975 plan 'Loving Someone' music video.|last=Graves|first=Shahlin|work=Coup de Main|date=10 November 2016|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430141621/https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/the-1975/11711|url-status=live}} Numerous teaser clips for the "She's American" video were released, including footage from the visual and behind-the-scenes photos from the crew who worked on the shoot.{{cite web|url=https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/the-1975/11874|title=Behind-the-scenes photos from The 1975's 'She's American' music video.|last=Graves|first=Shahlin|work=Coup de Main|date=9 December 2016|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022203012/http://coupdemainmagazine.com/the-1975/11874|url-status=live}} The footage included Healy dancing with a group of women holding machine guns in front of a video screen. When asked about the visual's planned debut date on Twitter, Oborne revealed that it would likely not be released. On December 22, 2018, Healy tweeted an American flag emoji followed by a second post containing a video of him working on choreography while the song plays in the background.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8491318/the-1975s-matty-healy-teases-shes-american-video|title=The 1975's Matty Healy Teases 'She's American' Video|last=Stiernberg|first=Bonnie|magazine=Billboard|date=22 December 2018|access-date=2 May 2021|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028061142/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8491318/the-1975s-matty-healy-teases-shes-american-video|url-status=live}} Despite the speculation of a potential debut, the video was not released.

Credits adapted from I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It album liner notes.

• Matthew Healy{{spaced ndash}} composer, producer, electric guitar, vocals, background vocals
• George Daniel{{spaced ndash}} composer, producer, programming, synthesizer programming, drums, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion
• Adam Hann{{spaced ndash}} composer, electric guitar
• Ross MacDonald{{spaced ndash}} composer, bass guitar
• Mike Crossey{{spaced ndash}} producer, programming, mixer
• John Waugh{{spaced ndash}} saxophone
• Jonathan Gilmore{{spaced ndash}} recording engineer
• Chris Gehringer{{spaced ndash}} mastering engineer

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "She's American"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=1975|title=She's American|type=single|award=Silver|relyear=2016|certyear=2020|id=16247-3813-1|refname="UK2"|access-date=26 March 2020}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

• The 1975 discography
• List of songs by Matty Healy

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|M3gTmd8uv5I|"She's American" – Official Audio}}

{{The 1975}}

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