This Is Not America

Pat Metheny

About This Is Not America

"This Is Not America" is a song by English singer David Bowie and American jazz fusion band Pat Metheny Group, taken from the soundtrack to the 1985 film The Falcon and the Snowman. It was released as a single in February 1985, reaching number 14 in the United Kingdom and number 32 in the United States. The instrumental song that "This Is Not America" is based on, was written by Metheny and Mays and is itself a song called "Chris", which was also included on the soundtrack for the film. "This Is Not America" differs from "Chris" through the addition of drums courtesy of a Linn drum machine and David Bowie's vocal performance. The song later appeared on Bowie's 2002 greatest hits compilation Best of Bowie, appearing on all but the Australian and Japanese pressings of that album. Metheny later noted that Bowie's words were "profound and meaningful—and absolutely perfect for the film." more »

Year:: 1984
: 3:55
: 212 Views

Lyrics currently unavailable…

Pat Metheny

Patrick Bruce "Pat" Metheny (/məˈθiːni/mə-THEE-nee; born August 12, 1954, Lee's Summit, Missouri) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. more »

1 fan

Genre »

Pop, Rock

10 facts about this song

Collaboration Element "This Is Not America" is not a solo performance, instead it is a collaborative work by British rock artist David Bowie and jazz fusion guitarist Pat Metheny. The song gloriously blends elements of rock and jazz.
Soundtrack Connection The song was released as part of the soundtrack for the 1985 film “The Falcon And The Snowman” which starred actors Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn. In fact, the song is used during the film’s opening credits.
Chart Performance "This Is Not America" performed really well on music charts. It managed to secure the 14th position in the UK Singles Chart and the 32nd position in the U.S Billboard Hot 100.
Important Theme The song explores the theme of political corruption and disillusionment. It uses America as a symbol in a critical context, making it a song potent with political commentary.
Broader Album Inclusion Apart from being affiliated with a film, the song was also included in Metheny's album "The Falcon and the Snowman: Music From The Motion Picture" and in Bowie’s compilation album "Nothing Has Changed," released in 2014.
Bowie's Voice Use David Bowie's haunting vocals were used as an added instrument by Metheny, helping to engage listeners emotionally with the music.
Musical Impact Although "This Is Not America" may not be universally recognized as one of Bowie’s biggest hits, it has had a lasting impact. Many fans and critics highlight it as one of the most meaningful songs in Bowie’s discography.
Different Versions There are several versions of the song. There’s a rare version with slightly different lyrics, and Metheny’s instrumental version is included on his album "Works I."
Creative Fusion The song is often praised for its fusion of jazz sophistication with pop accessibility, showcasing Metheny’s musical prowess and Bowie’s unique lyrical and vocal style.
The Lyrics Composition Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny are both credited for creating the music, while David Bowie wrote the lyrics, adding to the distinctive melodies and harmonies. While the lyrics are repetitive, this simplicity enhances the song's emotional weight.

more »

Discuss the This Is Not America Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

Notify me of new comments via email.

Citation

Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"This Is Not America Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3100975/Pat+Metheny/This+Is+Not+America>.

Missing lyrics by Pat Metheny?

Know any other songs by Pat Metheny? Don't keep it to yourself!

The Web's Largest Resource for

Music, Songs & Lyrics

A Member Of The STANDS4 Network

Watch the song video