Young Americans
David Bowie
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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 For even yesterday? Have you have 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-Sheilas 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 All night was a young American Young American, young American, you want the young American All right 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 ache (I heard the news today, oh boy) I got a suite and you got defeat Ain't there a man you 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 American, young American I want what you want I want what you want You want more I want you You want I I want you I want what you want But you want what you want You want I I want you And all I want is a young American Young American
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Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, TINTORETTO MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
15 facts about this song
Album Classification"Young Americans" is a track from the ninth studio album of the same name by David Bowie which was released in March 1975.
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Style ClassificationThe song is classified as a blend of soul and British pop which is distinctive for Bowie's career as it's characterized by the contributions of saxophonist David Sanborn.
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Priority Classification"Young Americans" was the first single from the album and is known to be one of Bowie's most significant songs.
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Record Label Classification"Young Americans" was released under the labels of RCA Records and Parlophone.
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Backing Vocal ClassificationFamous soul musician Luther Vandross provided backup vocals for the song, marking one of his earliest prominent industry gigs.
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Recording Location ClassificationThis track was notably recorded at the Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, USA, which was renowned for creating ‘The Sound of Philadelphia’ style.
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Chart Performance ClassificationThe song reached No. 28 in the UK and peaked at No. 10 in the United States, marking Bowie's first Top 10 hit in the U.S.
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Legal ClassificationDavid Bowie faced a lawsuit after the release of "Young Americans" due to its resemblance to the Beatles song "Here, There and Everywhere". He finally reached an agreement with the Beatles' company Northern Songs.
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Production ClassificationThe song was produced by Bowie and British record producer Tony Visconti.
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Live Performance Classification"Young Americans" was regularly performed by Bowie in his concerts and the track features in a number of Bowie's greatest hits albums.
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Video ClassificationA promotional video shot in 1975 shows a well-groomed Bowie and a full band (and backing singers) performing the song in what appears to be a US newsroom — a direct reference to the song's lyrics.
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Legacy ClassificationIn 2010, the NME (New Musical Express) placed "Young Americans" at number 57 in its list of the Top 100 Greatest Songs of NME's Lifetime.
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Featured Artist ClassificationThe song credits talented members such as Carlos Alomar and Willie Weeks with prominent guitar and bass performances.
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Lyrics Interpretation ClassificationThe lyrics of "Young Americans" provide social commentary for the time it was written, discussing issues of race and disenfranchisement in America.
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Re-release ClassificationThe song was remastered in 1999 for the album’s re-release.
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Citation
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"Young Americans Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/10047536/David+Bowie/Young+Americans>.
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