American English (song) explained

American English
Cover:	Wax American English 1987 single cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Wax
Album:	American English
Released:	1987
Label:	RCA
Producer:	Christopher Neil
Prev Title:	Bridge to Your Heart
Prev Year:	1987
Next Title:	In Some Other World
Next Year:	1988

"American English" is a song by new wave duo Wax, released by RCA in 1987 as the second single from their second studio album American English. The song was written by band members Andrew Gold and Graham Gouldman, and produced by Christopher Neil. The song's music video was directed by Storm Thorgerson.

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Mike Dillon of The Paisley Daily Express commented, "[As] the follow-up to 'Bridge to Your Heart', this single should not have much trouble making it two in a row for Messrs Gold and Gouldman. With its big production and very excellent chorus, you'll be hooked on it in no time."^[1] Ben Thompson of NME was less enthusiastic, writing, "Wax's clash of the two mighty and unpredictable talents of Gouldman and Gold does not produce quite the fireworks that could have been expected."^[2]

Track listing

7-inch single (UK, Europe, South Africa and Australia)^{[3] [4] [5]}

1. "American English" – 3:50
2. "Marie Claire " – 4:07

12-inch single (UK, Germany and Australia)^{[6] [7]}

1. "American English" (The Concorde Mix) – 5:08
2. "Hear No Evil" (Full Length Mix) – 7:12
3. "Marie Claire" – 4:07

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the American English vinyl LP liner notes and the 12-single vinyl single.^{[8] [6]}

Wax

• Andrew Gold – vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, drums and programming
• Graham Gouldman – guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Adrian Lee – keyboards
• Wix Wickens – keyboards
• Peter Van Hooke – drums and programming
• Lorna Wright, Raissa Danilou, Kyoko Ono, Ruth Cuenca – speakers

Production

• Christopher Neil – producer ("American English")
• Simon Hurrell – engineer, recording ("American English")
• Peter Jones – assistant engineer, recording assistant ("American English")
• Andrew Gold – producer ("Marie Claire", "Hear No Evil"), mixing ("Hear No Evil")
• Graham Gouldman – producer ("Marie Claire", "Hear No Evil")
• Phil Thornalley – mixing ("Marie Claire")

Other

• Nexus – cover design
• Storm Thorgerson – art direction

Notes and References

1. News: Dillon . Mike . American English wax lyrical . . . 20 October 1987 . 8 . . subscription . 30 November 2022.
2. Thompson . Ben . 45 . . 7 November 1987 . 22.
3. American English . . 1987 . UK and European 7-inch single sleeve . . PB 41527.
4. American English . . 1987 . South African 7-inch single sleeve . . RCAS 52.
5. American English . . 1988 . Australian 7-inch single sleeve . . 104808.
6. American English . . 1987 . UK and German 12-inch single sleeve . . PT 41528.
7. American English . . 1988 . Australian 12-inch single sleeve . . TDS 432.
8. . . 1987 . UK and European vinyl LP album sleeve notes . . PL 71430.