Lenny Kravitz - American Woman (Originally by The guess who)

Lenny Kravitz - American Woman - Meaning of the song

"American woman" was originally recorded by Canadian group The Guess Who in 1970. A largely misinterpreted song, it is actually a tribute to Canadian women.

This was used in the movie Austin Powers 2, The Spy Who Shagged Me. The video featured Heather Graham, who was in the movie, as the American Woman.

Just after the movie soundtrack was released, Virgin Records re-released Kravitz' album 5 with this added.

Asked during a Reddit AMA how his cover came about, Kravitz replied:

"I was called by the people making Austin Powers and they simple asked me to cover 'American Woman,' which I thought was odd but I accepted thinking it was an interesting challenge and did my best to change it as much as possible while still respecting the original. I was pleased when Burton Cummings called me to tell me how much he loved it."

American woman - Lyrics

Huh, American woman, stay away from me

American woman, mama let me be

Don't come hanging 'round my door

I don't wanna see your face no more

I got more important things to do

Than spend my time growin' old with you

Now woman, stay away

American woman, listen what I say

American woman, get away from me

American woman, mama let me be

Don't come knocking 'round my door

I don't wanna see your shadow no more

Colored lights can hypnotize

Sparkle someone else's eyes

Now woman, get away

American woman, listen what I say

American woman, I said, get away

American woman, listen what I say

Don't come hanging 'round my door

Don't want to see your face no more

I don't need your war machines

I don't need your ghetto scenes

Colored lights can hypnotize

Sparkle someone else's eyes

Now woman, get away

American woman, listen what I say

American woman, stay away from me

American woman, mama let me be

I gotta go, I gotta get away

Baby, I gotta go, I wanna fly away

I'm gonna leave you, woman

I'm gonna leave you, woman

I'm gonna leave you, woman

I'm gonna leave you, woman

A-bye, bye, a-bye, bye

Bye bye, bye bye

(American woman)

You're no good for me and I'm no good for you

(American woman)

I look you right straight in the eye an' tell you what I'm gonna do

(American woman)

I'm gonna leave you woman, you know I gotta go

(American woman)

I'm gonna leave you woman, I gotta go

(American woman)

I gotta go, I gotta go American woman, yeah