The Strokes
According to Tom Petty, The Strokes have admitted to taking the riff for their 2001 single, "Last Nite", from this song. In a 2006 interview with "Rolling Stone" magazine, Petty said "The Strokes took 'American Girl', and I saw an interview with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, 'OK, good for you.' It doesn't bother me." The Strokes played as an opening act for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for several dates of their 2006 tour.