Studio Album · No. 5
Americana Songwriting Credits by The Offspring
Produced by Dave Jerden · Engineered by Bryan Carlstrom, Annette Cisneros, Eddy Schreyer
Columbia Records
Punk RockSkate PunkPop Punk
100%
Authorship
Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented
Who wrote the songs?
Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Offspring carries a lyricist or composer credit.
13 trackswritten by The Offspring
0 tracksoutside writers
The Offspring's roles on this album
Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
Lyricist100%
Composer0%
Producer0%
Performer100%
By the Numbers
13
Tracks
2
Lyricists
1
Producers
10 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1998
Released
Data Insight
Dexter Holland wrote nearly all of Americana, channeling satirical observations of late-1990s American culture into the band's biggest commercial breakthrough. Producer Dave Jerden, who had shaped the band's prior record Ixnay on the Hombre, returned to give the songs a polished but aggressive sheen. Holland's writing on tracks like 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)' and 'Why Don't You Get a Job?' leaned into novelty hooks and humor while keeping the skate-punk foundation intact.
Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks
Written by the artist
Written by outside writers
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Welcome
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Have You Ever
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Staring at the Sun
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)
#53
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith HollandJoe ElliottSteve ClarkRobert John Lange | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
The Kids Aren't Alright
#6
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Feelings
|
Dexter HollandMorris Albert | Bryan Keith HollandMaurício Alberto KaisermannLouis Felix-Marie Gaste | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
She's Got Issues
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Walla Walla
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
The End of the Line
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
No Brakes
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Why Don't You Get a Job?
#74
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Americana
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
| 13 |
Pay the Man
|
Dexter Holland | Bryan Keith Holland | Dave Jerden | Dexter Holland (Lead Vocals) |
Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 9 contributors
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Frequently Asked Questions Americana
Who produced Americana by The Offspring?
Dave Jerden produced Americana. He had also produced the band's previous album, Ixnay on the Hombre, in 1997. Americana was released by Columbia Records on November 17, 1998.
How well did Americana sell?
Americana sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it The Offspring's best-selling album. In the United States it was certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200.
Who wrote the songs on Americana?
Lead vocalist Dexter Holland wrote nearly all of the songs on Americana. His lyrics on the album frequently satirized American pop culture and suburban life. This songwriting approach drove hits like 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy).'
How high did Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) chart?
'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)' peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed far stronger on rock radio, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was the album's lead single.
Did The Kids Aren't Alright chart on the Hot 100?
'The Kids Aren't Alright' did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, though it reached number 5 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. On rock radio it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart. It remains one of the band's most enduring songs.
What genre is Americana?
Americana is a punk rock album with strong skate punk and pop punk elements. The record balances fast, aggressive punk songs with the radio-friendly novelty hooks of its biggest singles. It was a defining late-1990s mainstream punk release.
What was the second single from Americana?
'Why Don't You Get a Job?' was the second single from Americana. It peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Alternative Airplay chart. Dexter Holland wrote the song, which features a brass arrangement.