This Is Not America

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 »