Afraid of Americans?
September 18th 2006 05:19
Or 'I'm Afraid of Americans' by David Bowie
Johnnys in america, low-techs at the
Wheel
No-one needs anyone, they dont even
Just pretend
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnny wants a brain, johnny wants to
Suck on a coke
Johnny wants a woman, johnny wants
To think of a joke
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnnys in america, johnny looks up at
The stars
Johnny combs his hair and johnny
Wants pussy and cars
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
God is an american
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Upon reading it, I'm sure lots of you will be agreeing with Bowie. I'll level with you, I'm afraid of what America is doing, and find it hard to believe that Americans are, for the most part, accepting all of it.
Bowie himself says
"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 the first McDonald's went up: it was like, "for fuck's sake." The invasion by any homogenized 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."
The Americanisation of other cultures is truly horrifying
But my point is, if someone released a song with the lyrics "I'm Afraid of Blacks/Arabs/Whatever other culture", and assuming it wasn't satire, then they would be forced to withdraw the song.
Just because the American government is racist, doesn't mean we can be racist towards the American people. If you have any criticisms, level them at the government, the 50.73% of voters who voted for the current government, but not at the whole population, remember, the US has been home to some of the strongest civil rights movements in history.
With that out of the way, the song is really good, both in terms of music and lyrics.
Peace
Johnnys in america, low-techs at the
Wheel
No-one needs anyone, they dont even
Just pretend
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnny wants a brain, johnny wants to
Suck on a coke
Johnny wants a woman, johnny wants
To think of a joke
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
Johnnys in america, johnny looks up at
Johnny combs his hair and johnny
Wants pussy and cars
Johnnys in america
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Johnnys in america
God is an american
Im afraid of americans
Im afraid of the world
Im afraid I cant help it
Im afraid I cant
Upon reading it, I'm sure lots of you will be agreeing with Bowie. I'll level with you, I'm afraid of what America is doing, and find it hard to believe that Americans are, for the most part, accepting all of it.
Bowie himself says
"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 the first McDonald's went up: it was like, "for fuck's sake." The invasion by any homogenized 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."
The Americanisation of other cultures is truly horrifying
But my point is, if someone released a song with the lyrics "I'm Afraid of Blacks/Arabs/Whatever other culture", and assuming it wasn't satire, then they would be forced to withdraw the song.
Just because the American government is racist, doesn't mean we can be racist towards the American people. If you have any criticisms, level them at the government, the 50.73% of voters who voted for the current government, but not at the whole population, remember, the US has been home to some of the strongest civil rights movements in history.
With that out of the way, the song is really good, both in terms of music and lyrics.
Peace
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