Bowie on America

[rfmcdonald]

In these times of conflict, and of concern about the American role in the world, I'm reminded of David Bowie's 1997 single from Earthling, "I'm
Afraid of Americans". The lyrics are reproduced below:



Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh
Johnny's in America
Low techs at the wheel
Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh
Nobody needs anyone
They don't even just pretend
Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh
Johnny's in America

CHORUS (x2)
I'm afraid of Americans
I'm afraid of the world
I'm afraid I can't help it
I'm afraid I can't

I'm afraid of Americans

Johnny's in America
Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh

Johnny wants a brain
Johnny wants to suck on a Coke
Johnny wants a woman
Johnny wants to think of a joke

Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh
Johnny's in America
Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh

CHORUS (x2)

I'm afraid of Americans

Uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh

Johnny's in America
Johnny looks up at the stars
Johnny combs his hairAnd Johnny wants pussy in cars

Johnny's in America, uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh
Johnny's in America, uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh

CHORUS (x2)

I'm afraid of Americans

God is an American
God is an American

CHORUS (x2)

Yeah, I'm afraid of Americans
I'm afraid of the words
I'm afraid I can't help it
I'm afraid I can't

I'm afraid of Americans

Johnny's an American
Johnny's an American

Johnny's an American, uh-uh-uh uh, uh, uh-uh uh-uh-uh (repeat)



The song does lend itself to all kinds of fun interpretations, and I doubt that they're less accurate that the stereotypes being bandied about by both sides.