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David Bowie (ft. Nine Inch Nails) - I’m Afraid of Americans

“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^[1] but was not released until a rough mix appeared on the soundtrack to the film Showgirls, and was subsequently remade for Earthling.

Bowie describes the feelings behind the song:

It’s not as truly hostile about Americans as say “Born in the U.S.A.”: it’s merely sardonic. I was traveling in Java when [its] first McDonald’s went up: it was like, “for fuck’s sake.” The invasion by any homogenised culture is so depressing, the erection of another Disney World in, say, Umbria, Italy, more so. It strangles the indigenous culture and narrows expression of life.^[2]

“I’m Afraid of Americans” originally appeared as a rough mix on the soundtrack 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 remixes 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.

Music video

A Taxi Driver-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.^[3] 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.

Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
Jonny’s in America
no tax at the wheel
Ah-ah-ah-ah ah-ah ah-ah-ah
Nobody needs anyone
They don’t even just pretend
Ah-ah-ah-ah ah-ah ah-ah-ah
Jonny’s in America

I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans

Jonny’s in America
Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah

Jonny wants a brain
Jonny wants to suck on a Coke
Jonny wants a woman
Jonny wants to think of a joke
Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
Jonny’s in America
Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah

I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans

Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah

Jonny’s in America
Jonny looks up at the stars
Jonny combs his hair
And Jonny wants pussy and cars

Johnny’s in America, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
Jonny’s in America, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah

I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans

God is an American
God is an American

I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the world
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t

Yeah, I’m afraid of Americans
I’m afraid of the words
I’m afraid I can’t help it
I’m afraid I can’t
I’m afraid of Americans

God is an American
God is an American

God is an American, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
God is an American, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
God is an American, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah
God is an American, Nah-nah-nah-nah nah-nah nah-nah-nah