For My Sunday Song #445, this week we tackle the hit song “America’s Sweetheart” by Elle King. Released February 8, 2016 off her album ‘Love Stuff’ and written by her with Martin Johnson. The song did really well charting on 5 different US charts and two in Canada where it went Platinum. At the end of the year it was #30 on the US Hot Rock Songs of the year. A cool bit of trivia about Elle is she is the daughter of actor/comedian Rob Schneider although I don’t know if they have much of a relationship, but that is a whole other conversation for another day and by another site.
The lyrics tell the story of a strong, confident and powerful woman who is who she is. No apologies. Don’t try to change her as she will simply stomp on your heart and enjoy it. She is independent and if she wants to get drunk or get tattoos, that is her choice so get the fuck out of the way. It is basically a middle finger to the social norms and how women are expected to behave. There is no fitting her any type of conceived box. America has a definition of sweetheart and she is not it…and hurray for that. This one line sums it all up…”They said I’ll never be the poster type / But they don’t make posters of my kind of life”.
Elle’s vocals are so strong and powerful. The confidence she sings with makes these lyrics come to life and you believe what she is singing about. Don’t mess with her. The way she delivers those verses with that country twang and then that huge chorus with the great harmonies and melody…damn!! It is a country-tinged song with a lot of banjo, but it is also rock with all that attitude and there are some strong pop sensibilities to it as well. There is an electronic beat to it that almost makes it danceable, but it will definitely move you regardless. It was one of those songs that will stop you and your track and make you take notice.
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. I think this song should’ve made her huge, but for some reason, she never became that giant superstar those vocals make you think she is. I am sure there is a story there somewhere. All I know is the song is one I never tire of and could listen to over and over and enjoy more each time.
“America’s Sweetheart”
No, there ain’t nothing that I gotta prove
You think your words will make me black and blue, but I
I think I’m pretty with these old boots on
I think it’s funny when I drink too much, hey
You tryna change me, you can go to hell
Cause I don’t wanna be nobody else
I like the chip I got in my front teeth
And I got bad tattoos you won’t believe
So kick out the jams, kick up the soul
Pour another glass of that rock and roll
Turn up the band, fire in the hole
Gonna lose control tonight
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
So beat the drum with me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
Well, they say I’m too loud
For this town
So I lit a match
And burned it down
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
But you love me anyway
My hands are dirty and my heart is cold
Them boys I’ve been with say I got no soul, when I
I need another honey at the bar
I’ll think it’s funny when I break his heart
My kind of medicine is whiskey straight
I got a mouth to put you in your place, and they
They said I’ll never be the poster type
But they don’t make posters of my kind of life
So kick out the jams, kick up the soul
Pour another glass of that rock and roll
Turn up the band, fire in the hole
Gonna lose control tonight
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
So beat the drum with me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
Well, they say I’m too loud
For this town
So I lit a match
And burned it down
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
But you love me anyway
You love me anyway
You love me anyway
Kick out the jams, kick up the soul
Pour another glass of that rock and roll
Turn up the band, fire in the hole
Holler if you ready, gonna lose control
Kick out the jams, kick up the soul
Pour another glass of that rock and roll
Turn up the band, fire in the hole
Gonna lose control tonight
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
So beat the drum with me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
Well, they say I’m too loud
For this town
So I lit a match
And burned it down
What do you want from me
I’m not America’s sweetheart
But you love me anyway
You love me anyway
You love me anyway
I’m not America’s sweetheart
Writer(s): Martin Johnson, Tanner Schneider
