7. American Woman – The Guess Who
Americans: Although we hope by now we haven’t upset you, these American tunes keep resurearing. We are not; it is they! This time it’s The Guess Who, who penned what first sounds like an homage to American ladies but – you got it – has more significance. Singing about not wanting Canada to be like America in the Vietnam War, the band was Canadian. It has turned out to be a protest song opposing war.
People have also speculated that the “American Woman” the band performs is supposed to symbolize the Statue Of Liberty. Though it hasn’t been verified, it’s interesting that a song this enjoyable could be really complex. Often eclipsing its political message, the song’s strong guitar riff and appealing chorus have made it a rock radio mainstay for decades. Examining the lyrics attentively reveals a critique of American politics and culture: “American woman, stay away from me / American woman, mama let me be.” One could read this as a rejection of American influence and imperialism. The band members have said that their experiences touring the United States during the volatile late 1960s, a period of social upheaval and the Vietnam War, helped to shape the song. Using “woman” as a metaphor for the whole nation gives the song levels of complexity that touch on themes of national identity, power relations, and cultural variations between the U.S. and Canada. This multifarious approach to composition shows how rock music may be a platform for social commentary while yet appealing broadly.
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