In the first half of the seventies, David Bowie got tired of Ziggy Stardust and began to experiment with images and genres that were new to him. In particular, he began to explore Philadelphia soul. Impressed by this musical direction, he recorded the album Young Americans (“Young Americans”).
The title track from the record attracted the attention of the public across the Atlantic, hit the charts and became a breakthrough for Bowie in the United States.
Story of the Young Americans song
David Bowie was born and raised in the UK, so he had nothing to do with young Americans. But he has been to the USA, performed with concerts, communicated with many people from different walks of life. He shared his observations in the words of the composition.
The singer briefly explained the meaning of the Young Americans song:
No history. Just young Americans. It’s about a newlywed couple who don’t know if they really like each other. Well, they like it, but they don’t know if it’s true or not.
NME, 1975
The composition begins as a banal story about newlyweds, but further verses touch upon aspects of the socio-political life of the country.
Recording
Bowie recorded Young Americans in August 1974 at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The famous studio was considered the regional capital of “black” music.
Sigma had a team of talented musicians and producers known by the acronym MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother). However, David did not want to use their services. He preferred Tony Visconti and the artists he invited himself.
The characteristic sound of the composition, typical of the entire Young American album, Bowie called “plastic soul” (plastic soul).
Release and achievements
On January 21, 1975, Young Americans was released as the first single from the album of the same name. The track peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eighteen on the UK Singles Chart. It also hit the charts in Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The composition is included in several ratings, including:
- 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – Rolling Stone,
- 200 Best Songs of the 1970s – Pitchfork,
- 500 Greatest Songs of All Time – NME.
Video Young Americans – David Bowie
Watch the Young Americans music video from the David Bowie concert.
Bowie sang an interesting version of the song with Cher. Watch the video clip of Young American – David Bowie & Cher.
Cover versions
David Bowie was on friendly terms with The Cure. In memory of a friend, the musicians recorded Young Americans. In their version, they replaced President Nixon with Clinton.
Let’s listen to Young Americans – The Cure.
Interesting Facts
- The line “I heard the news today, oh boy” is a reference to the song A Day in the Life by The Beatles.
- Bowie originally wanted to call the album Young Americans Dancin’.
- While performing at Giants Stadium, David stopped after the line “Ain’t there one damn song that can make me…” and collapsed onto the stage. He lay there for ten minutes, wondering how the audience would react.
- The song was featured on the soundtracks of Lars Von Trier’s films Dogville and Manderlay from the USA – Land of Opportunities trilogy. In both cases, it plays in the closing credits.
- The composition is also featured on the soundtracks of Sixteen Candles, Lord of War, Down to You, Jack Reacher and other films.
Young Americans Lyrics
They pulled in just behind the bridge
He lays her down, he frowns
Gee my life’s a funny thing, am I still too young?
He kissed her then and there
She took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows, she’d have taken anything, but
All night
She wants the young American
Young American, young American,
She wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
Scanning life through the picture window
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang, but
Heaven forbid, she’ll take anything
But the freak, and his type, all for nothing
Misses a step and cuts his hand, but
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
She cries where have all Papa’s heroes gone?
All night
She wants a young American
Young American, young American,
She wants the young American
All right
She wants the young American
All the way from Washington
Her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor
“We live for just these twenty years
Do we have to die for the fifty more?”
All night
He wants the young American
Young American, young American,
He wants the young American
All right
He wants the young American
Do you remember your President Nixon?
Do you remember, the bills you have to pay
Or even yesterday?
Have you been an un-American?
Just you and your idol singing falsetto ’bout
Leather, leather everywhere, and
Not a myth left from the ghetto
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor
In case, just in case of depression?
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors
Blushing at all the Afro-Sheeners
Ain’t that close to love?
Well, ain’t that poster love?
Well, it ain’t that Barbie doll
Her heart’s been broken just like you have
All night
You want the young American
Young American, young American, you want the
Young American
All right
You want the young American
You ain’t a pimp and you ain’t a hustler
A pimp’s got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler
Black’s got respect, and white’s got his Soul Train
Mama’s got cramps, and look at your hands shake
(I heard the news today, oh boy)
I got a suite and you got defeat
Ain’t there a man who can say no more?
And, ain’t there a woman I can sock on the jaw?
And, ain’t there a child I can hold without judging?
Ain’t there a pen that will write before they die?
Ain’t you proud that you’ve still got faces?
Ain’t there one damn song that can make me
Break down and cry?
All night
I want the young American
Young American, young American,
I want the young American
All right
I want the young American, young American whoa whoa
Young Americans Lyrics – David Bowie Alternative
They parked right next to the bridge.
He laid it down, he frowned:
“I have a funny life, am I too young?”
He kissed her immediately.
She took his ring and his seed.
It took him minutes to get her nowhere.
God knows, she would have agreed to anything, but…
All night long
She wants a young American
Young American, Young American
She wants a young American
Okay,
She wants a young American.
Watching life through a big window
She notices a slender tramp.
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang, but,
Forgive God, she will agree to anything,
But this eccentric and his appearance – no.
He stumbles, hurts his hand, but
Does not betray emotions, he rushes on, like a song.
She screams: “Where did daddy’s heroes go?”
All night long
She wants a young American
Young American, Young American
She wants a young American
Okay,
She wants a young American.
All the way from Washington
Her breadwinner pleads, lying on the bathroom floor:
“We live only twenty years.
Do we have to die another fifty?”
All night long
He wants a young American
Young American, Young American
He wants a young American
Okay,
He wants a young American.
Do you remember your President Nixon?
Do you remember the bills you have to pay?
Or at least yesterday?
Were you anti-American?
Only you and your idol, singing in falsetto about
Skin, skin everywhere and
This is not a myth that came from the ghetto.
Well, well, well, you will carry a blade with you.
In case, just in case of depression?
Sit back on the survivor bus
Blushing at the sight of Afro haircuts.
Isn’t that almost love?
Isn’t this poster love?
It’s not that Barbie doll
Her heart is broken, just like yours.
All night long
You want a young American
Young American, Young American
You want a young American
Okay,
You want a young American.
You’re not a pimp or a street prostitute.
The pimp has a Cadillac and the lady has a Chrysler.
Black is respected and white is the Soul Train show
Mom’s in spasms, look how your hands are shaking.
(I heard the breaking news, my God.)
I have the suit and you are defeated.
Will there be a person who will say: “Enough”?
Is there a woman I can punch in the jaw?
Is there a child I can hold without judgment?
Will there be a pen that will write before they die?
Aren’t you proud to save face?
There’s one damn song that will make me
Break down and tear up?
All night long
I want a young American
Young American, Young American
She want a young American
Okay,
I want a young American.
Quote about the song Young Americans
The title track of David Bowie’s album Young Americans is one of a handful of his classics, a wonderful blend of nonfiction, incessant lyrics, English pop and American soul.
Rolling stone
