Panic in Detroit

About Panic in Detroit

"Panic in Detroit" is a song written by English singer David Bowie for the album Aladdin Sane in 1973. Bowie based it on friend Iggy Pop's descriptions of revolutionaries he had known in Michigan and Pop's experiences during the 1967 Detroit riots. Rolling Stone magazine called the track "a paranoid descendant of the Motor City's earlier masterpiece, Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run"". Musically "Panic in Detroit" has been described as a "Salsa variation on the Bo Diddley beat", and features prominent conga drums and female backing vocals. The lyrics namecheck Che Guevara and are also said to contain references to John Sinclair of the White Panther Party. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine printed its list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Mick Ronson was ranked at #64, and "Panic in Detroit" as his "essential recording". more »

Year:

1989

4:27

245 Views

Playlists:

#5

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He looked a lot like Che Guevara, drove a diesel van 
Kept his gun in quiet seclusion, such a humble man 
The only survivor of the National People's Gang 
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph 
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone 
Panic in Detroit 

He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening gloom 
The police had warned of repercussions 
They followed none too soon 
A trickle of strangers were all that were left alive 
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph 
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone 
Panic in Detroit 

Putting on some clothes I made my way to school 
And I found my teacher crouching in his overalls 
I screamed and ran to smash my favorite slot machine 
And jumped the silent cars that slept at traffic lights 

Having scored a trillion dollars, made a run back home 
Found him slumped across the table. A gun and me alone 
I ran to the window. Looked for a plane or two 
Panic in Detroit. He'd left me an autograph 
"Let me collect dust." I wish someone would phone 
Panic in Detroit

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David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known by his stage name David Bowie ( /ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee), was an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and considerable eclecticism of his work. more »

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