“American Woman” by The Guess Who released in January 1970 from the album of the same name, “American Woman” became the first song by a Canadian band to top the U.S. charts, holding the number one spot for three weeks starting May 9, 1970. Co-written by Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Gary Peterson, and Jim Kale, the song is characterized by Cummings’ distinctive vocals.

Contrary to common interpretations, Burton Cummings clarified that the song’s lyrics do not express American pride. Instead, he conveyed observations about the perceived maturity of American girls compared to Canadian girls, reflecting a sense of danger. The iconic riff of “American Woman” was initially a spontaneous improvisation during a live performance, eventually evolving into the song’s defining feature.