This song was recorded during the sessions for the 'YEAH!' covers album and originally written and released by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
song written by
- Tom Petty.
performed by
- 01 - Joe Elliott - Lead Vocals.
- 02 - Vivian Campbell - All Instruments/Backing Vocals.
other performers / guest appearances by
- 01 - Marc Danzeisen (of Clock) - Drums.
- 02 - Jesse Sheely - Backing Vocals.
song info
- Song Type - Cover Version/Bonus Album Track.
- First Released - 23rd May 2006.
- Producer - Not Listed.
- Engineered/Mixed By - Not Listed.
original song info
- Artist - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
- Length - 3:35.
- First Released - February 1976 (USA).
- First Released - August 1977 (UK).
- Producer - Denny Cordell.
- From the album - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
- UK Chart Position - 40 (27th August 1977).
- USA Chart Position - n/a.
song versions
- American Girl (Version 1) - 3:33
The only version of this song appeared on the 'YEAH!' Walmart Bonus CD album in 2006 as track 1 of 8. A CD only released in the USA exclusively via Walmart stores. Essentially a Vivian Campbell solo song with him playing guitars and bass. Drums were provided by his fellow ex-Clock member Marc Danzeisen and backing vocals by Jesse Sheely (a country singer/songwriter from Los Angeles). Vivian may have intended to record a lead vocal for this and another song during the album sessions but as Joe explained in an October 2005 interview "Vivian did a couple of songs, but he's not sure if he wants to sing or wants me to sing. If he wants to, it's totally up to him.".
Marc became only the third drummer to play on a Def Leppard studio recorded song after Frank Noon in 1978 on 'The Def Leppard E.P.' and Rick Allen who has played on every other song released since 1980 (and the only official band member of the three).
audio releases
- YEAH! (Walmart Bonus CD With Backstage Interviews) - 2006 (Version 1)
song trivia
This was a single by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 1976. Taken from their debut album 'Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers'. The band featured Tom Petty (vocals/guitar), Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (piano), Ron Blair (bass) and Stan Lynch (drums). It was originally released in the USA in February 1976 and later in the UK where it made the Top 40 in August 1977. The song had been recorded on 4th July 1976, US Independence Day.
This song has also been covered by Dance Hall Crashers, The Shins, Elle King, Cindy Alexander, Angel City Outcasts, Gin Blossoms, Melora Creager, Val Emmich, Cruiserweight, Fun, The Gaslight Anthem, Taylor Swift, Jack's Mannequin, Larkin Poe, Matchbox 20, Mathew Sweet, Pearl Jam, Or Montreal, Rasputina, Saints Of The Underground, Smith Westerns, Six Going On Seven, Sugarland, Sum 41, Taking Back Sunday, The Hush Sound, Luke Sital-Singh, Tokyo Police Club, Nancy Atlas, Goo Goo Dolls, Humble Gods, Ill Repute, Roger McGuinn, David West, Cindy Alexander, Twin Shadow, Everclear and was sampled by Fun Loving Criminals.
tours played on
- This song has never been performed live.
American Girl / song lyrics sample
Well she was an American girl
Raised on promises
She couldn't help thinkin'
That there was a little more to life somewhere else
After all it was a great big world
With lots of places to run to
And if she had to die tryin'
She had one little promise she was gonna keep
Oh yeah, all right
Take it easy, baby
Make it last all night
She was an American girl
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