I'm Afraid of Americans
Encyclopedia
"I'm Afraid of Americans" is a song and single
by David Bowie
from the 1997 album Earthling
. The song, co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno
, was originally written during Bowie's studio sessions for the 1995 album Outside but was not released until a rough mix appeared on the soundtrack
to the film Showgirls
, and was subsequently remade for Earthling.
to the film Showgirls
(in which the chorus is "I'm afraid of the animals" instead of the later "I'm afraid of Americans") and was subsequently remade for Earthling. This version and two of the Nine Inch Nails remixes were released on the bonus disc of the Digibook Expanded Edition of Earthling in 2004. The song is sampled for a remix of Company Flow
's "Patriotism" when El-P performs it.
A CD
single for "I'm Afraid of Americans" was released in the United States
. The single did not include the album version of the song; instead, it featured remix
es of the track performed by Bowie's former tourmates, Nine Inch Nails
, and drum and bass
artist Photek
. The (V1) mix became more popular than the original version, largely in part of the accompanying video, leading to its appearance on the retrospective Best of Bowie
.
CD promo: Virgin / DPRO-12749 (US)
-influenced music video
was produced for the "I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)" remix, starring David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails
frontman Trent Reznor
. Directed by Dom and Nic
, it features Bowie being stalked through New York City
by Jonny, a hostile American, played by Reznor. As Bowie continues to be harassed and becomes more and more paranoid, he witnesses (or imagines he witnesses) random acts of violence perpetrated by citizens on one another — but their hands are empty, as if holding invisible guns. The video ends with Bowie ducking behind a taxi while Reznor fires an imaginary assault rifle
that inflicts severe damage on a vehicle. Bowie awakens later, only to witness Reznor carrying a crucifix in a parade reminiscent of Day of the Dead
celebrations or the movie Something Wicked This Way Comes
. The music video premiered on MTV Live
, and later received a MTV Video Music Award
nomination in 1998 for Best Male Video
.
performed the song together with Bowie at his 50th Birthday Bash in New York City in January 1997. A version recorded at GQ Awards, New York City, 15 October 1997, was released on LiveAndWell.com
in 2000. Another version recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, London, June 27, 2000, was released on the bonus disc following the first releases of Bowie at the Beeb
in 2000. A version performed in Dublin, Ireland
was recorded for the DVD A Reality Tour
in 2003.
The American techno band Q
covered the song for the 2003 compilation Spiders from Venus: Indie Women Artists and Female-Fronted Bands Cover David Bowie, a version which also featured on Hero: The Main Man Records Tribute to David Bowie (2007). The American metal band Fashion Bomb
likewise covered it for the 2006 album .2 Contamination: A Tribute to David Bowie.
Swiss band MIZAN
covered "I'm Afraid of Americans" on their second album, AVRASYA. Nine Inch Nails
covered the song live in their 2009 Wave Goodbye Tour.
We Are The World
also covered the song in for We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie (2010).
The track was also recorded in Vienna in 2008 by the mighty Tackhead
for inclusion on their groundbreaking "ShareHead" album, which is due for internet-only release in 2012.
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is 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...
from the 1997 album Earthling
Earthling (album)
Earthling is an album by David Bowie released in February 1997 via BMG. The album showcases an electronica-influenced sound partly inspired by the Industrial and drum and bass culture of the 1990s.-Album background and development:...
. The song, co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
, was originally written during Bowie's studio sessions for the 1995 album Outside but was not released until a rough mix appeared on the soundtrack
Showgirls (soundtrack)
Showgirls is the soundtrack album of the 1995 film Showgirls.-Track listing:# "Animal"#* Performed by Prick#* Written by Kevin McMahon#* Produced by Warne Livesey...
to the film Showgirls
Showgirls
Showgirls is a 1995 American drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, and Gina Gershon...
, and was subsequently remade for Earthling.
Background
Bowie describes the feelings behind the song:It's not as truly hostile about AmericansUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as say "Born in the U.S.A.Born in the U.S.A. (song)"Born in the U.S.A." is a 1984 song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen. Taken from the album of the same name, it is one of his best-known singles. Rolling Stone ranked the song 275th on their list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". In 2001, the RIAA's Songs of the Century placed...
": it's merely sardonic. I was traveling in Java when [its] first McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
went up: it was like, "for fuck's sake." The invasion by any homogenised culture is so depressing, the erection of another Disney WorldWalt Disney Parks and ResortsWalt Disney Parks and Resorts is the segment of The Walt Disney Company that conceives, builds, and manages the company's theme parks and holiday resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises...
in, say, UmbriaUmbriaUmbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, more so. It strangles the indigenous culture and narrows expression of life.
Releases
"I'm Afraid of Americans" originally appeared as a rough mix on the soundtrackShowgirls (soundtrack)
Showgirls is the soundtrack album of the 1995 film Showgirls.-Track listing:# "Animal"#* Performed by Prick#* Written by Kevin McMahon#* Produced by Warne Livesey...
to the film Showgirls
Showgirls
Showgirls is a 1995 American drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, and Gina Gershon...
(in which the chorus is "I'm afraid of the animals" instead of the later "I'm afraid of Americans") and was subsequently remade for Earthling. This version and two of the Nine Inch Nails remixes were released on the bonus disc of the Digibook Expanded Edition of Earthling in 2004. The song is sampled for a remix of Company Flow
Company Flow
Company Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
's "Patriotism" when El-P performs it.
A CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
single for "I'm Afraid of Americans" was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The single did not include the album version of the song; instead, it featured remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es of the track performed by Bowie's former tourmates, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, and drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
artist Photek
Photek
Photek is Rupert Parkes , a Los Angeles-based British record producer and DJ. He joined the drum and bass scene relatively early , and is still one of its most respected players...
. The (V1) mix became more popular than the original version, largely in part of the accompanying video, leading to its appearance on the retrospective Best of Bowie
Best of Bowie
Best of Bowie is a career-spanning greatest hits album by multi-platinum recording artist David Bowie. The songs range from his second album to 2002. It was released 35 years after his first album, David Bowie....
.
Tracklistings
CD/vinyl: Virgin / 8 38618 2 (US)- I'm Afraid of Americans (V1) – 5:31
- I'm Afraid of Americans (V2) – 5:51
- I'm Afraid of Americans (V3) – 6:18
- Special guest: Ice CubeIce CubeO'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
- Special guest: Ice Cube
- I'm Afraid of Americans (V4) – 5:25
- I'm Afraid of Americans (V5) – 5:38
- I'm Afraid of Americans (V6) – 11:18
CD promo: Virgin / DPRO-12749 (US)
- "I'm Afraid of Americans" (V1 Edit) – 4:30
- "I'm Afraid of Americans" (Original Edit) – 4:12
- "I'm Afraid of Americans" (V3) – 6:06
- "I'm Afraid of Americans" (V1 Clean Edit) – 4:30
Personnel
- Lyrics by David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is 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...
, music by Bowie and Brian EnoBrian EnoBrian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,... - All tracks: reproduced by Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
(Trent ReznorTrent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
, Charlie ClouserCharlie ClouserCharles Alexander "Charlie" Clouser is an American musician whose activities include playing keyboard, synth, theremin, and drums. He is known for his abilities in music programming, engineering, mixing, and remixing. He was a member of the band Nine Inch Nails 1994–2000. Before he was in Nine...
, Keith Hillebrandt, Dave "Rave" OgilvieDave OgilvieDave "Rave" Ogilvie is a Canadian record producer and musician. He is a producer of industrial music and has been associated with bands such as Skinny Puppy , Doughboys, The Birthday Massacre , Marilyn Manson, Jakalope , Killing Joke, Queensrÿche, Alexz Johnson, Fake Shark...
, Danny LohnerDanny LohnerDaniel Patrick "Danny" Lohner , frequently known as Renholdër, is an American rock musician who plays bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards. He worked with Trent Reznor on numerous occasions, both with Nine Inch Nails and on the now defunct Tapeworm project...
) - Except V5: remix by PhotekPhotekPhotek is Rupert Parkes , a Los Angeles-based British record producer and DJ. He joined the drum and bass scene relatively early , and is still one of its most respected players...
Music video
A Taxi DriverTaxi Driver
Taxi Driver is a 1976 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film is set in New York City, soon after the Vietnam War. The film stars Robert De Niro and features Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, and Cybill Shepherd. The film was nominated for four Academy...
-influenced music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was produced for the "I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)" remix, starring David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
frontman Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
. Directed by Dom and Nic
Dom and Nic
dom&nic is the working name of directors Nic Goffey and Dominic Hawley. They have been directing notable music videos and commercials since 1994....
, it features Bowie being stalked through New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
by Jonny, a hostile American, played by Reznor. As Bowie continues to be harassed and becomes more and more paranoid, he witnesses (or imagines he witnesses) random acts of violence perpetrated by citizens on one another — but their hands are empty, as if holding invisible guns. The video ends with Bowie ducking behind a taxi while Reznor fires an imaginary assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
that inflicts severe damage on a vehicle. Bowie awakens later, only to witness Reznor carrying a crucifix in a parade reminiscent of Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality...
celebrations or the movie Something Wicked This Way Comes
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983 film)
Something Wicked This Way Comes is a 1983 film based on the Ray Bradbury novel of the same name, starring Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce. Directed by Jack Clayton from a screenplay written by Bradbury himself, the movie suffered from offscreen conflicts of vision...
. The music video premiered on MTV Live
MTV Live
MTV Live was a U.S. television series that aired from 1997 to 1998 on MTV, featuring interviews with celebrity guests, live musical performances, news coverage, and music video premieres.-Series run:...
, and later received a MTV Video Music Award
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
nomination in 1998 for Best Male Video
MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video
The MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video is one of the four original general awards that have been handed out every year since the very first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984. In 2007, though, the award was briefly renamed Male Artist of the Year, and it awarded the artist's whole body of work...
.
Live versions and covers
Sonic YouthSonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
performed the song together with Bowie at his 50th Birthday Bash in New York City in January 1997. A version recorded at GQ Awards, New York City, 15 October 1997, was released on LiveAndWell.com
LiveAndWell.com
Liveandwell.com is a 1999 limited edition live album by David Bowie. It is not available commercially and could only be acquired by being subscribed to BowieNet at the time....
in 2000. Another version recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, London, June 27, 2000, was released on the bonus disc following the first releases of Bowie at the Beeb
Bowie at the Beeb
Bowie at the Beeb is a compilation album by David Bowie, first released in 2000. Originally, it came in a three CD set, the third, bonus CD being a recording on at the Portland BBC Radio Theatre...
in 2000. A version performed in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
was recorded for the DVD A Reality Tour
A Reality Tour (film)
A Reality Tour is a DVD released in 2004 of David Bowie's performance at Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland in 2003 during the Reality Tour.-Repertoire:...
in 2003.
The American techno band Q
Q (band)
Q was a small American techno band, formed in 1982 by Jon St. James and Stacey Swain. Ross Wood was also a group member, and John Van Tongeren was involved as well. The group only had two releases: a 7" single of their song "Playback" on Cocteau Records, and a four-track EP released almost...
covered the song for the 2003 compilation Spiders from Venus: Indie Women Artists and Female-Fronted Bands Cover David Bowie, a version which also featured on Hero: The Main Man Records Tribute to David Bowie (2007). The American metal band Fashion Bomb
Fashion Bomb
Fashion Bomb are an American band formed in Chicago, Illinois in 2003. Fashion Bomb's music spans the metal subgenres, with songs that have elements of heavy metal, industrial, alternative, and nu metal. The band is most consistently, however, categorized as industrial metal.The band released...
likewise covered it for the 2006 album .2 Contamination: A Tribute to David Bowie.
Swiss band MIZAN
Mizan
Mizan is a comprehensive treatise on the contents of Islam, written by Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, a Pakistani Islamic scholar. It is published in Urdu by Al-Mawrid Institute of Islamic Sciences. The book is also available in the form of different booklets...
covered "I'm Afraid of Americans" on their second album, AVRASYA. Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
covered the song live in their 2009 Wave Goodbye Tour.
We Are The World
We Are the World
"We Are the World" is a song and charity single originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World...
also covered the song in for We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie (2010).
The track was also recorded in Vienna in 2008 by the mighty Tackhead
Tackhead
Tackhead are an industrial hip-hop group that were most active during the 1980s and early 1990s, and briefly reformed in 2004 for a tour. Their music occupies the territory where funk, dub, industrial music and electronica intersect...
for inclusion on their groundbreaking "ShareHead" album, which is due for internet-only release in 2012.