American English (song)
| "American English" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Wax | ||||
| from the album American English | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Length |
| |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Christopher Neil | |||
| Wax singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "American English" on YouTube | ||||
"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]
- "American English" – 3:50
- "Marie Claire " – 4:07
12–inch single (UK, Germany and Australia)[6][7]
- "American English" (The Concorde Mix) – 5:08
- "Hear No Evil" (Full Length Mix) – 7:12
- "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
Charts
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] | 29 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] | 96 |
References
- ^ Dillon, Mike (20 October 1987). "American English wax lyrical". The Paisley Daily Express. Paisley, Renfrewshire. p. 8. Retrieved 30 November 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Thompson, Ben (7 November 1987). "45". New Musical Express. p. 22.
- ^ American English (UK and European 7-inch single sleeve). Wax. RCA Records. 1987. PB 41527.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ American English (South African 7-inch single sleeve). Wax. RCA Records. 1987. RCAS 52.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ American English (Australian 7-inch single sleeve). Wax. RCA Records. 1988. 104808.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b American English (UK and German 12-inch single sleeve). Wax. RCA Records. 1987. PT 41528.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ American English (Australian 12-inch single sleeve). Wax. RCA Records. 1988. TDS 432.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ American English (UK and European vinyl LP album sleeve notes). Wax. RCA Records. 1987. PL 71430.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Wax – American English" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ "Wax – American English" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
