“American Oxygen” is most notably a song by Rihanna, released in April 2015 as a standalone single. It is a mid-tempo power ballad that explores the complexities of the “American Dream” from the perspective of an immigrant.
1. Song Background
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Release: Originally debuted on the streaming service Tidal, the song was co-written by Alex da Kid, Candice Pillay, Sam Harris (of the band X Ambassadors), and Rihanna.
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Production: It was produced by Alex da Kid and Kanye West.
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Inspiration: The track was heavily inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.,” aiming to capture a similar mix of national pride and social critique.
2. Meaning and Lyrics
The song reflects Rihanna’s own journey as a “young girl hustlin’ on the other side of the ocean” (referencing her upbringing in Barbados) who came to the U.S. to achieve success.
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The “New America”: The lyrics emphasize that America is a place where you can “be anything at all,” but it requires intense struggle (“we sweat for a nickel and a dime”).
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Social Commentary: Many listeners and critics interpreted the chorus—”Breathe out, breathe in, American Oxygen”—as a subtle reference to the “I can’t breathe” rallying cry of the Black Lives Matter movement, which was prominent during the song’s production.
3. The Music Video
The video is a montage of American history, juxtaposing “peaks and pitfalls.” It includes footage of:
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Achievements: The 1969 Moon landing, Barack Obama’s inauguration, and the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.
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Struggles: The 9/11 attacks, the Civil Rights Movement, the Ferguson protests, and homelessness.
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The Message: By showing these images together, the video suggests that the American Dream is inseparable from the country’s history of conflict and inequality.
4. X Ambassadors Version
While Sam Harris of X Ambassadors co-wrote the song, the band also released their own version of “American Oxygen” in 2015. Their version features a more alternative/rock production compared to Rihanna’s orchestral pop style.
5. SEO® “Sheet Music.”
“But they’re not the winners for best dressed 2015!”
RIRI STILL IS!
WOOOOHPH,
– SWW WLYLT!
