Written by John Mellencamp

I had a face so cute made a young girl cry
And I could blow 'em away with just a wink of my eye

I got all dolled up on a Saturday night
Can't find a lady so I'll start a fight
Hey but ain't that the American Dream

But at School the young boys would assemble down in the parking lot
And we spoke of the homecoming queen and all the goodies she's got
Well those stories would choke a semi
And every dare was do or die
Hey but ain't that the American Dream

(bridge)

Well I grew up believin' I could do what I wanted to do
When I got a little older I found that it just wasn't true
There's gotta be a place for me
Where I can out-be just what I want to be
Hey but ain't that the American Dream

Some of the girls are out teaching high school biology
And all of my boyfriends they work down at Cummmins factory
But me I'm still out on the streets trying to locate some destiny
Hey but ain't that the American Dream

(repeat bridge)