Claude-Michel Schönberg
The American Dream
[ENGINEER]
My father was a tattoo artist in Haiphong
But his designs on mother didn't last too long
My mother sold her body, high on Betel nuts
My job was bringing red-faced monsieurs to our huts
Selling your mom is a wrench
Perfume can cover a stench
That's what I learned from the French
Then it all changed with Dien Bien Phu
The Frogs went home, who came? Guess who?
Are you surprised we went insane
With dollars pouring down like rain?
Businessmen never rob banks
I can sell shit and get thanks
That's what I learned from the Yanks
I'm fed up with small-time hustles
I'm too good to waste my talent for greed
I need room to flex my muscles
In an ocean where the big sharks feed
Make me Yankee, they're my family
They're selling what people need
What's that I smell in the air?
The American dream
Sweet as a new millionaire
The American dream
Pre-packed and ready-to-wear
My American dream
Fat, like a chocolate eclair
As I suck out the cream
Luck by the tail
How can I fail?
And best of all, it's for sale
The American dream
Greasy Chinks make life so sleazy
In the States I'll have a club that's four-starred
Men like me there have things easy
I'll have a lawyer and a bodyguard
To the johns there I'll sell blondes there
That they can charge on a card
What's that I smell in the air?
The American dream
Sweet as a suite in Bel-Air
The American dream
Girls can buy tits by the pair
The American dream
Bald people think they'll grow hair
The American dream
Call girls are lining Times Square
The American dream
Bums there have money to spare
The American dream
Cars that have bars take you there
The American dream (Honk, honk)
On stage each night: Fred Astaire
The American dream
Schlitz down the drain
Pop the Champagne!
It's time we all entertain
My American dream!
[ENGINEER, spoken]
Girls!
What else?
What do you think, ladies?
Boys!
Come on!
Come on!
[ENSEMBLE & ENGINEER, spoken]
Come everyone, come and share
The American dream (Are you seeing this?)
Name what you want and it's there
The American dream
Spend and have money to spare
The American dream
Live like you haven't a care
The American dream
What other place can compare?
The American dream
Come and get more than your share
The American dream
[ENGINEER]
There I will crown
Miss Chinatown
All yours for ten percent down
[ENGINEER & ENSEMBLE]
The American dream!
[ENGINEER, spoken]
What, what's happening?
Guys, where are you going?
Talk to me
It was just getting good!
Shit
Heh, heh, heh, mwah