The American Dream is Emitt Rhodes' first album. It was recorded from 1967 to 1969, but released in 1970 as a contractual obligation to A&M Records. The album was reissued in 1971 in response to the success of his self-titled debut album on Dunhill Records.
The original issue was a non-commercially released version pressed in late November 1970 with picture-frame cover and "Saturday Night" – 1:59. A&M quickly withdrew this "frame cover" after approximately 1000 copies had been pressed. Deciding that the album did not have enough "hit potential," A&M chose a song from Rhodes' previous band The Merry-Go-Round, "You're A Very Lovely Woman," to replace "Saturday Night," which can only be found on this release.
The album was then reissued in March 1971 with the paint-splatter cover image and the replacement song found on all subsequent releases. Though according to music historian Martin Popoff, the paint splatter version was first (1970), and the "frame" cover with "Saturday Night" came after (1971).
"Saturday Night" does appear on Listen, Listen — the Definitive Collection of The Merry-Go-Round and The Emitt Rhodes Recordings (1969–1973).
