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Beck – American Wasteland (2008) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Beck
Odelay (Deluxe Edition)
American Wasteland

TRACK

American Wasteland

Release date: 29th January 2008

From Odelay (Deluxe Edition)

About This Track

"American Wasteland" is a track by Beck, from the album Odelay (Deluxe Edition), released 29th January 2008. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 8 articles about Beck.

About the Artist

Beck

Beck

Lyrics

American Wasteland

[Intro]

Barney Miller was a cop

Barney Miller was a cop

He's dead

This guy's a poser

This next song is called "American Wasteland"

[Verse 1]

Something's wrong 'cause my mind is fading

And everywhere I look there's a dead end waiting

Temperatures dropping at the rotten oasis

Stealing kisses from the leprous faces

[Verse 2]

Heads are hanging from the garbage man trees

Mouthwash jukebox gasoline

Pistols are pointing at a poor man's pockets

Smiling eyes ripping out of his sockets

[Chorus]

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

[Verse 3]

Love machines on the sympathy crutches

Discount orgies on the dropout buses

Hitching a ride with the bleeding noses

Coming to town with the briefcase blues

[Chorus]

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

[Verse 4]

Something's wrong 'cause my mind is fading

Ghetto-blasting disintegrating

Rock 'n' roll, know what I'm saying?

And everywhere I look, there's a devil waiting

[Chorus]

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Got a devil's haircut in my mind

Devil's

[Outro]

Can I get a little more guitar in the monitors?

Turn the bass down a little bit too

This next song is called "Go To Hell"

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Odelay (Deluxe Edition)

2008

Listen

Album

Odelay (Deluxe Edition)

Release year

2008

—Gold Chains
—Burro
—Devil Got My Woman
—Erase the Sun
—SA-5
—.000.000
—Where It's At
5:31
—Computer Rock
—Where It's At (U.N.K.L.E. Remix)
—Brother
—Richard’s Hairpiece (Aphex Twin Remix)
—Devils Haircut
3:15
—The New Pollution
3:40
—Clock
—Inferno
—American Wasteland

Watch the music video

Beck — American Wasteland

Beck — American Wasteland

American Wasteland

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ChemicalHyperspace
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Beck has returned with new single ‘Ride Lonesome’ and announced a North American tour

Beck has returned with new single ‘Ride Lonesome’ and announced a North American tour

The Nigel Godrich-mixed single precedes extensive theatre and amphitheatre run this autumn.

21 Apr 2026 • 1:45 pm

Beck has announced two orchestral shows at London's Royal Albert Hall this April

Beck has announced two orchestral shows at London's Royal Albert Hall this April

Beck will perform two shows at London's Royal Albert Hall in April, featuring symphonic arrangements with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

10 Feb 2025 • 9:24 pm

Orville Peck's new video for 'Death Valley High (Feat. Beck)' features both Gigi Goode and Sharon Stone

Orville Peck's new video for 'Death Valley High (Feat. Beck)' features both Gigi Goode and Sharon Stone

The track previews Peck's upcoming duets album, 'Stampede Vol. 2'.

12 Jul 2024 • 9:26 am

Hinds have announced their new album with Beck collab, 'Boom Boom Back'

Hinds have announced their new album with Beck collab, 'Boom Boom Back'

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7 May 2024 • 3:17 pm

Beck has shared a new song, ‘Thinking About You’

Beck has shared a new song, ‘Thinking About You’

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10 Feb 2023 • 12:25 pm

Watch Dave Grohl cover Randy Newman with Karen O, Beck and more for Hanukkah Sessions

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Watch Beck join Dave Grohl for a run through 'E-Pro' for 2022's Hanukkah Sessions

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Grohl shared via Foo Fighters' social media accounts that "it's a little known fact that our favorite Guero actually has Jewish roots".

23 Dec 2022 • 8:47 am

JAWNY has shared a new version of 'take it back', featuring Beck

JAWNY has shared a new version of 'take it back', featuring Beck

The original featured on last year's 'The Story of Hugo' EP.

17 Jun 2022 • 11:47 am

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Beck, E.Z. Mike, King Gizmo
Producer: Beck, Dust Brothers
Bass: Sean Ross
Guitar: Mickey Petralia
Vocals: Beck
Remixer: Mickey Petralia