The song "American Hearts" by Joshua Kadison tells the story of a sailor on leave who visits a tattoo parlor on Pico Street. He wants to get a tattoo of a big red heart with the name "Marie" on it, symbolizing his love for someone. However, when the tattoo artist finishes his work, the sailor realizes that the name on the tattoo is actually "Martha," not "Marie." The sailor is disappointed and informs the tattoo artist about the mistake. The tattoo artist apologizes and explains that he has been preoccupied with other things, which led to the error. The sailor accepts the mistake, understanding that it was an honest oversight. The lyrics then highlight the spirit of American hearts and souls living on American rock and roll. It emphasizes enjoying life's simple pleasures, like cruising with friends and listening to music on the radio. The song suggests that despite life not always being easy, it is always alright. The sailor's tattoo mishap serves as a lighthearted and comical tale within this broader message. Later, the sailor shares the tattoo story with Marie (or Martha, as she is mistakenly referred to in the tattoo). Marie finds it amusing and assures him that it's the love in his heart that matters, not the mistake on his arm. In the end, Martha/Marie returns to the tattoo parlor, realizing that the sailor must have told the story of the mistake to all the new sailors in town. She jokingly tells the tattoo artist that she had to come back before he went broke from correcting the mistake on every sailor visiting the parlor. The song celebrates the resilience and spirit of American hearts and souls, living for American rock and roll. Despite life's challenges, the lyrics suggest that people can find joy and satisfaction in simple pleasures and moments of laughter. Overall, "American Hearts" tells a humorous and heartwarming story, highlighting the importance of love and the ability to find happiness in unexpected places.
