Kenny Chesney's 'American Kids' lyrics captured the superstar right away -- so it's no surprise to anyone that song would become a No. 1 hit. Hey, the man is a star for a reason.
"We were Jesus save me, blue jean baby / Born in the USA," the chorus of the lead single from Chesney's 'The Big Revival' album begins. From the very moment the 46-year-old heard 'American Kids,' he just knew it was the song for him.
"When Shane (McAnally) played me the song,” the singer says, “I knew I was going to cut it. In fact, I gave him a hard time for not playing it for me sooner. Not only is it musically so engaging, but the pictures it paints are undeniable! No matter where you’re from, there are pieces of that song that’re just who you are ... and they show you at your very best. We’re all, like the song says, ‘a little messed, but we’re all alright’."
The 'American Kids' lyrics focus on the little things in life, the things that made up our growing up years -- no matter the generation -- and assures listeners that we're all a little weird, and that's alright.
"Put me on the cover of the Rolling Stone / Uptown, down-home American kids / Growin' up in little pink houses / Makin' out on living room couches / Blowin' that smoke on Saturday night / A little messed up, but we're all alright," Chesney sings.
"There is so much more to being alive than partying, tailgates and bonfires," he explains. "It's every single detail of being young, growing up, remembering when, laughing about how, but especially knowing you can still do all those things!"
Adds Chesney, "The moments in this song are all very real, and while they’re universal, they’re anything but generic, so I think people grabbed a hold of it for that -- and because of the way it moves.”
'American Kids' was written by country powerhouse songwriters Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally.
Doublewide Quick Stop midnight T-top
Jack in her Cherry Coke town
Momma and daddy put their roots right here
'Cause this is where the car broke down
Yellow dog school bus kickin' up red dust
Pickin' us up by a barbed wire fence
MTV on the RCA, no A/C in the vents
We were Jesus save me, blue jean baby
Born in the USA
Trailer park truck stop, faded little map dots
New York to LA
We were teenage dreamin', front seat leanin'
Baby, come give
me a kiss
Put me on the cover of the Rolling Stone
Uptown down home American kids
Growin' up in little pink houses
Makin' out on living room couches
Blowin' that smoke on Saturday night
A little messed up, but we're all alright
Baptist church parkin' lot, tryin' not to get caught
Take her home and give her your jacket
Makin' it to second base, but sayin' you went all the way
Monday afternoon at practice
Sister's got a boyfriend daddy doesn't
like
Now he's sittin' out back, 3030 in his lap
In the blue bug zapper light
We were Jesus save me, blue jean baby
Born in the USA
Trailer park truck stop, faded little map dots
New York to LA
We were teenage dreamin', front seat leanin'
Baby, come give me a kiss
Put me on the cover of the Rolling Stone
Uptown down home American kids
Growin' up in little pink houses
Makin' out on living room couches
Blowin' that smoke on Saturday night
A
little messed up, but we're all alright
[x2]
Common questions
Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Typically, orders of $35 USD or more (within the same shop) qualify for free standard shipping from participating Etsy sellers.
Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Good news! Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items.
To personalize an item:
- Open the listing page.
- Choose the options you’d like for the order. This will differ depending on what options are available for the item.
- Under “Add your personalization,” the text box will tell you what the seller needs to know. Fill out the requested information.
- Click “Buy it now” or “Add to cart” and proceed to checkout.
Don’t see this option? The seller might still be able to personalize your item. Try contacting them via Messages to find out!
Absolutely! Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. In 2020 alone, purchases on Etsy generated nearly $4 billion in income for small businesses. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.—enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX!
From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. It’s also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care. While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, you’ll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more.