Call me provincial. I lived in Alabama for a long time, grew up in the rust belt, have friends all over the Midwest.There is something about the heartland of America that is so enduring while the fads and fashions of the coasts come and go to little regret.
I remember stopping at a Fourth of July celebration in Guntersville, Alabama one year on my way to a family picnic. I stood on the fringe while real salt of the earth people sang hymns to America. My eyes teared up at the sentiment.
Smooth cats like Benjie will never understand that emotion of being moved by a grand idea of a wonderful land full of hope

Only in America
Can a guy from anywhere
Go to sleep a pauper and wake up a millionaire

Only in America
Can a kid without a cent
Get a break and maybe grow up to be President

Only in America
Land of opportunity, yeah
Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America
Can a kid who’s washin’ cars
Take a giant step and reach right up and touch the stars

Only in America
Could a dream like this come true
Could a guy like me start with nothing and end up with you

—— instrumental break ——

Only in America
Land of opportunity, yeah
Would a classy girl like you fall for a poor boy like me

Only in America (poor boy like me)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America (only in America)
Only in America

-Jay and the Americans