Album: American Dream (1988)

Charted: 55

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• In 1970, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released the incendiary single "Ohio," written by Neil Young in the aftermath of the Kent State shootings. The quartet didn't release another single until 1988, when they put out "American Dream," the title track to their first album together since Déjà Vu, also in 1970 (Crosby, Stills & Nash released three albums without Young in the interim).
  
  Like "Ohio," it's written by Neil Young and deals with the political climate of the day, which in 1988 was a lot less urgent than in 1970 when American soldiers were killing students on a college campus. "American Dream" is a satire on the Iran-Contra Scandal and, to a lesser degree, the downfall of presidential candidate Gary Hart, who was caught with his mistress. The video, which includes news footage of the satired events, got some airplay on VH1, but the single didn't chart in America and the album was widely panned and remains remembered as one of the group's less noble efforts.

Comments: 4

• Jonny Pineapple from Laguna BeachWhen I first read the lyrics I thought the song was about Jim Baker. I was a baby when the song was released. I don’t know who Gary Hart is. I always learn new stuff at SongFacts.
• Anonymous from Arroyo Grande CaBring the guys back..they are like no other.
• Leia from San FranciscoThe last cut on this album, "Night Song" was written for the twenty-seventh episode of the reboot of the television series "The Twilight Zone."
  
  This program aired as the third episode of the second season in 1986–87 with a slight difference in the show's titling: "Nightsong."
  
  "Nightsong" is the only Twilight Zone episode to ever air without the iconic narration/voice over at either the beginning and the end. "Instead, the track for "Night Song" is played intro/outroing the episode.
• Kevin from Reading , PaThis was a pretty poor Neil Young song, but, still, probably the third best song on this disappointing album. The best tracks were "Name of Love" also by Young and "Clear Blue Skies," a typically lightweight environmental tune from Nash, but still better than the rest of the dreck on this album.

More Songfacts:

DilemmaNelly

Kelly Rowland was the first Destiny's Child member to have a hit away from the group: her Nelly duet "Dilemma."

Afternoon DelightStarland Vocal Band

The Starland Vocal Band got the title "Afternoon Delight" from the late-afternoon appetizer menu at the restaurant Clyde's Of Georgetown in Washington, DC.

Everything ZenBush

References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."

Rum and Coca-ColaThe Andrews Sisters

The '40s hit "Rum and Coca-Cola" is really about American soldiers soliciting prostitutes in Trinidad.

Give Me Everything (Tonight)Pitbull

Pitbull's line "I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan" in his 2011 song "Give Me Everything (Tonight)" didn't go over well with Lohan, who sued him for defamation. Around this time, she was in a downward spiral and often getting arrested. Her case was thrown out, but she did get her life back together.

FancyIggy Azalea

The video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" pays homage to the classic 1995 film Clueless with the rapper playing Cher and featured singer Charli XCX portraying Tai. It was filmed at some of the same locations used in the movie.

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.