American David (Soundtrack Version)

(00:48)

Listen:

Song Lyrics:

Elvis
White trash
Elvis
The Memphis flash
Elvis
Under the hood
Elvis
With Cadillac blood
Elvis
Darling bud
Flowered and returned to the Mississippi mud
Elvis
He didn’t hear the shot
But Dr. King died just across the lot
From Elvis
The Memphis spleen
Shooting TVs
Reading Corinthians 13
Elvis
With God on his knees
Elvis
Owned three TVs
Elvis
He sang to win
Elvis
The battle hymn
Elvis
Changed the center of gravity
Elvis
Made it slippery
Elvis
Ate America before America ate him.

About this song

It first appeared on the "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" Soundtrack Album, in 2026.

The writing credits for this song are: Words by Bono. Music by Elliott Wheeler.

It was performed by Bono and Elliott Wheeler in the studio.

Did you know that?

Bono wrote the poem “American David” and has read it for a number of events over the years, it also formed the basis for “Elvis Ate America” on the Passengers album, Original Soundtracks 1. This reading appears to be the one Bono did for the 2003 Elvis Lives TV special, edited and set to music.

It Appears On

Various Artists - “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert” Soundtrack Album