[Verse 1]
They pulled in just behind the fridge, he lays her down
He frowns, "Gee my life's a funny thing, am I still too young?"
He kissed her then and there, she took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows she'd have taken anything

[Chorus 1]
All night, she wants the young American
Young American, young American
She wants the young American
All right, she wants the young American

[Verse 2]
Scanning life through the picture window
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang
Heaven forbid, she can take anything
But the freak and his type, all for nothing
He misses a step and cuts his hand
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
She cries "Where have all Papa's heroes gone?"

[Chorus 1]
All night, she wants the young American
Young American, young American
She wants the young American
All right, she wants the young American
[Bridge]
All the way from Washington
Her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor
"We live for just these twenty years
Do we have to die for the fifty more?"

[Chorus 2]
All night, he wants the young American
Young American, young American
He wants the young American
All right, he wants the young American

[Verse 3]
Do you remember, President Clinton?
Do you remember, Bill, you have to pay
Or even yesterday?
Have you have been an un-American?
Just you and your idol singing falsetto 'bout
Leather, leather everywhere
And not a myth left from the ghetto
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor
In a case, just in case of depression?
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors
Blushing at all the afro-Sheilas
Ain't that close to love, ain't that poster love?
Well, it ain't that Barbie doll?
Her heart's been broken just like you
[Chorus 3]
All night, you want the young American
Young American, young American
You want the young American
All right, you want the young American

[Verse 4]
You're not a pimp and you're not a hustler
A pimp's got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler
Black's got respect, and white's got his Soul Train
Mama's got cramps, and look at your hands ache
"I heard the news today, oh boy"
I got a suite and you got defeat
Ain't there a man who can say no more?
Ain't there a woman I can sock on the jaw?
Ain't there a child I can hold without judging?
Ain't there a pen that will write before they die?
Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry?

[Refrain]
Break down and cry

[Chorus 4]
All night, I want the young American
Young American, young American
I want the young American
All right, I want the young American
[Outro]
Young American, young American
I want the young American
You want the young American
You want all of the young American
All right, young American
Young American, young American
I want the young American
I want the young American
I want the young American