They pulled in just behind the bridge 
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, but 
 
[CHORUS (She)] 
All night 
She wants the young American 
Young American, young American, she wants the young American 
All right 
She wants the young American 
 
Scanning life through the picture 
window 
She finds the slinky vagabond 
He coughs as he passes her Ford 
Mustang, but 
Heaven forbid, she'll take anything 
But the freak, and his type, all for  
nothing 
He misses a step and cuts his hand, but 
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song 
She cries "Where have all Papa's heroes gone?" 
 
[CHORUS (She)] 
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 (HE)] 
All night 
He wants the young American 
Young American, young American,  
he wants the young American 
All right 
He wants the young American 
 
Do you remember, your President Nixon? 
Do you remember, the bills you have to pay? 
Or even yesterday? 
Have been the un-American? 
Just you and your idol sing falsetto 
'bout Leather, leather everywhere, and 
Not a myth left from the ghetto 
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor 
In case, just in case of depression? 
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors 
Blushing at all the afro-Sheeners 
Ain't that close to love? 
Well, ain't that poster love? 
Well, it ain't that Barbie doll 
Her hearts have been broken just like you 
 
[CHORUS (YOU)] 
All night 
You want the young American 
Young American, young American, you want the young American 
All right 
You want the young American 
 
You ain't a pimp and you ain't 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?  
And, ain't there a woman I can  
sock on the jaw? 
And, 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? 
 
[CHORUS (I) (repeat 3 times ad lib)] 
All night 
I want the young American 
Young American, young American, I want the young American 
All right 
I want the young American