The Daily Bowie #20 - "I'm Afraid of Americans"

The Daily Bowie #20 - "I'm Afraid of Americans"

With the upcoming election, this seems appropriate.

"I'm afraid of Americans

I'm afraid of the world"

DAVID BOWIE

Earthling

"I'm Afraid of Americans"

art by Bowie

FROM WIKI: A Taxi Driver-influenced music video was produced for the "I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)" remix, starring David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. Directed by Dom and Nic, it features Bowie being stalked through New York City by Jonny, a hostile American, played by Reznor. As Bowie continues to be harassed and becomes more and more paranoid, he witnesses (or imagines he witnesses) random acts of violence perpetrated by citizens on one another – but their hands are empty, as if holding invisible guns. The video ends with Bowie ducking behind a taxi while Jonny fires an imaginary assault rifle that inflicts severe damage on the taxi. After the shootout, Bowie stands back up next to the undamaged taxi, and witnesses Jonny carrying a cross in a procession which mixes imagery reminiscent of the Way of the Cross and Day of the Dead celebrations. The music video premiered on MTV Live, and later received a MTV Video Music Award nomination in 1998 for Best Male Video.

LINK: PUSHING AHEAD OF THE DAME BLOG ON "I'M AFRAID OF AMERICANS"

The link above is an excellent investigation of the song, which apparently, has no definitive version. At the time Bowie wrote and recorded it, he was interested in Talking Heads and David Byrne, but also the song was originally called "Dummy," and it may be a nod to Portishead's 1994 album.

"I'm Afraid of Americans" came out of the sessions for 1995's Outside but did not make the album. Chris O'Leary's "Pushing Ahead of the Dame" blog (WordPress) does an excellent job with multiple entries about this song. Apparently, O'Leary has a book?

Simply from visiting and reading, I was already sold on the excellence of Chris O'Leary's "Pushing Ahead of the Dame" blog, but this quote seals the deal as it's by one of my favorite comic book writers.

"Must-have must-read must-devour for any Bowie fan. Or fan of music writing or creative criticism. Or being alive on earth. Really for everyone. Ever."
— Matt Fraction, Sex Criminals, Hawkeye, Casanova, Ody-C.

"I'm Afraid of Americans"
from EARTHLING - 1997

with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails

"I'm Afraid of Americans"

Johnny's in America, no tax at the wheel

No-one needs anyone, they don't even just pretend

Johnny's in America

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

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

Johnny wants a brain, Johnny wants to suck on a Coke

Johnny wants a woman, Johnny wants to think of a joke

Johnny's in America

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

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, Johnny looks up at the stars

Johnny combs his hair and Johnny wants pussy and cars

Johnny's in America

Johnny's in America

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

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

God is an American

God is an American

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

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

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 an American

Johnny’s an American

Johnny’s an American

(repeat and fade)

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Rest in peace, David. We miss you.

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1602.09 - 14:10