“All-American Girl” is undoubtedly one of Carrie Underwood‘s signature songs. The tender narrative track cuts to the heart of the listener. Revisit the meaning behind this hit, below.
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Behind the Meaning
Since the day they got married
He’d been praying for a little baby boy
Someone he could take fishing
Throw the football and be his pride and joy
We all know that one soon-to-be-father who is holding out hope for a bouncing baby boy only to have their life turned upside down by a little girl. In fact, when Underwood first heard the premise behind “All-American Girl,” she reportedly said, “Great, sounds like my dad!”
He could already see him holding that trophy
Taking his team to State
But when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket
All those big dreams changed
Having a boy comes along with dreams of doing traditionally male things. In the case of this song, songwriters Underwood, Ashley Gorley, and Kelley Lovelace reference taking home winning sports trophies. In the pre-chorus, Underwood sings about that dream immediately changing once the nurse came in with a little pink blanket. All those big dreams changed, she sings.
Sixteen short years later
She was falling for the senior football star
Before you knew it he was dropping passes
Skipping practice just to spend more time with her
The cycle repeats itself in the second verse. That little girl grows up to find a man of her own. She immediately has the senior football star wrapped around her finger just like her father. Years later, when they finally tie the knot, they have a conversation about what they want out of life.
And when they got married and decided to have one of their own
She said “Be honest, tell me what you want?”
And he said “Honey, you wanna know
Sweet, little, beautiful, one just like you
Oh, a beautiful, wonderful, perfect all-American”
(Photo by Mike Coppola/WireImage)
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