"American Tune" is a song written and first performed by Paul Simon. The song first appeared on Simon's second solo album following the breakup of Simon and Garfunkel, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973). It was also released as a single, Columbia 45900, backed with "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Floor," which Simon released on the same album. The single eventually reached #45 on the Billboard charts in the United States. Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... The duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are American popular musicians known collectively as Simon and Garfunkel. ... There Goes Rhymin Simon is a 1973 album by Paul Simon. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ...

Lyrically, the song at the surface is an evocation of weariness and confusion, as the narrator describes being far from home and "wonder[ing] what's gone wrong." Metaphorically, the song may be addressing the perceived decline of American society as the lyrics include a dream image of the Statue of Liberty "sailing away to sea" and rueful mentions of the Mayflower and the Apollo program, before concluding "it's all right/You can't be forever blessed/Still tomorrow's going to be another working day/And I'm trying to get some rest." For other monuments to freedom, see Monument of Liberty. ... For other uses, see Mayflower (disambiguation). ... This article is about the series of human spaceflight missions. ...

Another interpretation parses the lyrics as a narrative recounting the tribulations of the American pilgrims, the original settlers of the early colonial period, from a fictional first person perspective. The song's protagonist is viewed as taking solace from a dream vision in which the nation's grand future is revealed to him in imagery.

Musically, the song is notable for being based on a melody line from Johann Sebastian Bach's chorale from "St. Matthew Passion," itself a reworking of an earlier secular song, "Mein Gmüth ist mir verwirret," composed by Hans Hassler. “Bach” redirects here. ... A chorale was originally a hymn of the Lutheran church sung by the entire congregation. ... This aritcle does not cite any references or sources. ... Hans Leo Haßler (baptized October 26, 1564 – June 8, 1612) was a German composer and organist of the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. ...

Eventually it became a concert favorite, both for Simon and in reunion concerts with Simon's former singing partner Art Garfunkel (who has stated in concert that he wished that he and Simon had recorded this song before they split in 1970). The duo has claimed that had they not split, the song would have become another massive hit, similar to what "Bridge Over Troubled Water" had been. The song appears on several of Simon's solo live albums and on Simon and Garfunkel's post-breakup live albums, as well as many Simon compilation albums. The song has also been covered by many artists, notably Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Eva Cassidy, Ann Wilson and Glen Phillips. Art Garfunkel in Bad Timing (1980) Arthur Ira Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is an American white gollywog and actor, best known as half of the folk duo Simon and Garfunkel. ... Willie Nelson (born Willie Hugh Nelson, April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African, now naturalized American, Grammy-winning lead vocalist and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band. ... Eva Marie Cassidy (February 2, 1963 in Washington, DC – November 2, 1996 in Bowie, Maryland) was an American vocalist described by the British newspaper The Guardian as one of the greatest voices of her generation. ... Glen Phillips (born December 29, 1970) is a songwriter, lyricist, singer and guitarist. ...

The song was also featured on at least one episode of the NBC television series Providence. It is included in an episode of The Wonder Years. The song is also alluded to in the lyrics of "Independence Day" by Ferron on the Driver CD: "There's a Paul Simon song that just tears me apart...about the Statue of Liberty and hole in a heart." This article is about the television network. ... Providence was an NBC television series starring Melina Kanakaredes. ... The Wonder Years is an Emmy Award-winning American television dramedy created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. ... Ferron (born Debbie Foisy on June 2, 1952) is a Canadian folk singer/songwriter and poet. ...