American Bad Ass – English Lyrics

• By: Kid Rock
• Album: The History of Rock

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Kid Rock's iconic "American Bad Ass," a high-energy track blending rap metal and nu metal. Explore the song's creation, meaning, and cultural impact, and discover the unique blend of confidence and defiance that makes this song a quintessential expression of Kid Rock's artistry.

[English]

Yeah, and I've set up and tore down this stage with my own two hands

We've traveled this land packed tight in minivans

And all this for the fans, girls, money and fame

I played their game

And as they scream my name

I will show no shame

I live and die for this

And if I come off soft then chew on this!

Are you scared?

Devil without a cause

And I'm back with the beaver hats and Ben Davis slacks

30 pack of Stroh's, 30 pack of hoes

No Rogaine in the propane flow

The chosen one, I'm the living proof

With the gift of gab from the city of truth

I jabbed and stabbed and knocked critics back

And I did not stutter when I said that

I'm going platinum (sellin' rhymes)

I went platinum (seven times)

And still they ill, and wanna see us fry

I guess because the "Only God Knows Why"

They call me cowboy, I'm the singer in black

So throw a finger in the air and let me see where you're at, say (hey hey)

Let me hear where you're at, say (hey hey)

I'm givin' it back so say (hey hey)

Show me some metal and say (hey, hey, hey, hey)

Fuck all y'all

I like AC-DC and ZZTop

Bocephus, Beasties and the Kings of Rock

Skynyrd, Seger, Limp, Korn, the Stones

David Allen Coe and No Show Jones, yeah

Pass that bottle around

Got the Rock from Detroit, the soul from Motown

The underground stoned fuckin' pimp

With tracks that mack and slap back the wack

Never gay, no way, I don't play with ass

But watch me rock with Liberace flash

Punk Rock, the Clash, boy bands are trash

I like Johnny Cash and Grandmaster Flash

They call me cowboy, I'm the singer in black

So throw a finger in the air and let me see where you're at, say (hey hey)

Let me hear where you're at, say (hey hey)

I'm givin' it back so say (hey hey)

Show me some metal and say (hey, hey, hey, hey)

Yeah, I saw your band

Jumpin' around on a stage like a bunch of wounded ducks

When you gonna learn sucker?

You just can't fuck with Twisted Brown Trucker

I'm an American bad ass, watch me kick

You can roll with rock or you can suck my dick

I'm a porno flick, I'm like Amazing grace

I'm gonna fuck some hoes after I rock this place

Super fly, livin' double wide

Side car my glide so Joe C can ride

Full sack to share, bringin' flash and flare

Got the long hair swingin', middle finger in the air

Snakeskin suits, 65 Chevelle's

See me ride in sin, hear the rebel yell

I won't live to tell so if you do

Give the next generation a big "fuck you"

Who knew I'd blow up like Oklahoma

Said "fuck high school", pissed on my diploma

Smell the aroma, check my hits

I know it stinks in here 'cause I'm the shit

They call me cowboy, I'm the singer in black

So throw a finger in the air and let me see where you're at, say (hey hey)

Let me hear where you're at, say (hey hey)

I'm givin' it back so say (hey hey)

Show me some metal and say (hey, hey, hey, hey)

I'm a cowboy bad ass in black singin' (hey hey hey hey)

From side to side, from front to back, say (hey hey hey hey)

I put Detroit City back on the map and singin' (hey hey hey hey)

Kid Rock's in the house, and that's where I'm at

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rock /rɒk/ A1	noun - a type of music characterized by strong rhythms and loud vocals verb - to perform or listen to rock music
stage /steɪdʒ/ A1	noun - a raised platform where performances take place
fans /fænz/ A1	noun - enthusiastic admirers of someone or something
scream /skriːm/ A2	verb - to shout very loudly, often in excitement or fear
platinum /ˈplætɪnəm/ A2	noun - a precious metal, often used in jewelry and awards
critics /ˈkrɪtɪks/ B1	noun - people who judge and review the work of others
pimp /pɪmp/ B1	noun - a person who arranges sexual encounters for others for a fee
mack /mæk/ B2	verb - to flirt or impress someone, often in a confident manner
wack /wæk/ B2	adjective - of poor quality or ineffective
flash /flæʃ/ B1	noun - a sudden bright light verb - to show something suddenly and briefly
punk /pʌŋk/ B1	noun - a type of rock music with a rebellious attitude
trash /træʃ/ A2	noun - worthless or discarded material
hoes /hoʊz/ B2	noun - a derogatory term for women, often used in slang
kick /kɪk/ A2	verb - to strike with the foot
porno /ˈpɔːrnoʊ/ B2	noun - explicit sexual material, often in video form
glide /ɡlaɪd/ B1	verb - to move smoothly and continuously
flare /flɛər/ B2	noun - a sudden burst of bright light or fire
swingin /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/ B1	adjective - moving in a swinging motion
rebel /ˈrɛbəl/ B1	noun - a person who resists authority or control
blow /bloʊ/ A2	verb - to become suddenly successful or famous

Key Grammar Structures

• I've set up and tore down this stage with my own two hands

  ➔ Present Perfect with 'have' + Past Participle

  ➔ The phrase 'I've set up' uses the present perfect to describe an action completed in the past with present relevance.

• And if I come off soft then chew on this!

  ➔ Conditional Clause with 'if'

  ➔ The phrase 'if I come off soft' introduces a conditional clause, expressing a hypothetical situation.

• I'm going platinum (sellin' rhymes)

  ➔ Present Continuous for Future Plans

  ➔ 'I'm going platinum' uses the present continuous to express a future plan or intention.

• They call me cowboy, I'm the singer in black

  ➔ Present Simple for General Truths

  ➔ 'They call me cowboy' and 'I'm the singer in black' use the present simple to state general truths or permanent situations.

• So throw a finger in the air and let me see where you're at

  ➔ Imperative Mood for Commands

  ➔ 'Throw a finger in the air' uses the imperative mood to give a direct command or instruction.

• I'm an American bad ass, watch me kick

  ➔ Present Simple for Self-Identification

  ➔ 'I'm an American bad ass' uses the present simple to express self-identification or a permanent characteristic.

• You can roll with rock or you can suck my dick

  ➔ Conditional Alternatives with 'or'

  ➔ The phrase 'you can roll with rock or you can suck my dick' presents conditional alternatives using 'or'.

• I won't live to tell so if you do

  ➔ Negative Future with 'won't'

  ➔ 'I won't live to tell' uses 'won't' to express a negative future action.