While updating my music collection tonight after switching over to eMule (done screwing with Kazaa), I came across some “oldies” (for my age group anyway) and classics, along with plenty I’d never heard of or taken the time to listen to closely.
The chorus from David Bowie’s song “I’m Afraid of Americans” has been playing in my mind recently. No clue why. So I decided to have a look at the lyrics while trying out the new eMule program (which works wonderfully by the way). If you haven’t listened to it in a while, it’s a rather chilling song with some odd (insanely vague) lyrics. You can watch the video below:
Johnny’s in America
no tricks at the wheelNobody needs anyone
They don’t even just pretendJohnny’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 AmericansJohnny wants a plane
Johnny wants to suck on a Coke
Johnny wants a woman
Johnny wants to think of a joke
…Johnny’s in America
Johnny looks up at the stars
Johnny combs his hair
And Johnny wants pussy in cars
…
God is an American
God is an American
David Bowie is one my favorite artists. Now I’m intrigued to find other American-oriented ballads to add to the newly-created playlist.
Here’s a new one for me: David Byrne’s “Miss America.” I’ve listened to it at least a dozen times tonight already. The lyrics will follow below.
I love America, her secret’s safe with me
And I know her wicked ways
The parts you never seeOh super-girl, you’ll be my super-model
Although you have a reputation
Can I afford to move above my station
I’m not the only heart you’ve conqueredAnd I love America, but boy can she be cruel
And I know how tall she is
Without her platform shoesOh super-girl, you’ll be my super-model
Although at times it might seem awkward
Don’t run away, oh don’t you recognize me
I’m not the only heart you’ve conqueredAnd I kissed America, when she was fleecing me
She knows I understand that she needs to be free
And I miss America and sometimes she does too
And sometimes I think of her
When she is fucking youI love America
Yo siempre he confiado en ti [=I have always trusted you]
I love America
Por que me tratas asi? [=Why do you treat me like this?]Oh super-girl, you’ll be my super-model
Although your pants are round your ankles
And when you’re down, I’ll be your Dirty Harry
It will be just like in the moviesOh super-girl, you’ll be my super-model
Although at times it might seem awkward
Don’t look away, I’ll be your teenage fanclub
I’m not the only heart you’ve conquered
I decided to post the live version of the song rather than the video due to it annoying me. There’s no need in equating female sexuality with evil, though yes, I do get what they were going for there. It’s a technical issue for me, understanding that sexuality isn’t the underlying “sin” but sexuality warped to defy itself is. Nevermind. A rant for another day. You can look up the video I’m referring to on youtube if you care.
But what a strange song to discover tonight.
How about this “80s classic” experiencing revived popularity in recent years:
You know what’s funny? When I listened to “Living in America” first on my media player (without the video), it completely grooved my soul. Fierce patriotism is ingrained into the fabric of my life, a sentiment I share with many of my fellow Americans. And what song gets you more revved up about living here than James Brown’s tune? This song came out when I was still very young and it had a great impact on my generation, celebrating the new technology age we were just then entering.
Then I watched the video and have to say it’s humbling to remember back to our dreams of the 80s. It was a time when the future looked so bright, not just for us but for the whole world. The technology of the time was mesmerizing and the overwhelming vibe was one of excitement and confidence.
Now think about today. Some of us are still stubbornly clinging to faith in the institutions we once trusted, but today the vibe seems to be one of uncertainty and concern. Concern for the economy we’ve created, for the jobs we’ve outsourced and cheaper labor that’s being insourced, for our failing education system, for a future with fewer retirement options for younger generations. What happened to us?
Well, we were deluded with dreams of promise while lacking a solid, collective understanding of how to manage the system we were creating, ethically or legally. Everything got too big too soon, if you ask me.
It took all of us by surprise, and it’s okay to admit that. We’re only human. “Shock and awe” can come about through seemingly benign or even positive sources, such as a whirlwind of dazzling technology (cell phones, computers and liposuction – oh my!), hyper-consumerism fueled by a plethora of goods available at “Superstores” and new and improved entertainment options (gaming consoles and television). It was easy to get caught up in the excitement of the times, unless you were too bogged down with debt and working long hours to partake in the fun stuff, as plenty were. But regardless of who you were, we all felt it at least to some degree. Televisions came to be in more homes than ever before, so cable programming could be considered the common denominator shared by most.
The middle-class in this country hit a new peak that surpassed many of our expectations, allowing a greater number of people to enjoy more comfortable living standards, BUT… it came with a price. The gap widened and we as a society are still struggling to come to terms with the fact that we sold off the bottom to suit the middle and top. While living standards have improved across the board, not everyone moved up. This is partly due to our manufacturing jobs heading overseas, leaving communities devastated from coast-to-coast, in both urban and rural areas. The middle-class bracket had cause to celebrate because their living standards were dramatically improving and new members appeared to be joining the ranks daily, while the richest few (under the shelter of major corporations) had the most cause for celebration. We didn’t pay nearly enough attention to what was going on at the top, nor do we ever.
Anyway, as I watch James Brown’s video tonight for the first time in likely over a decade, what stands out most is all the pageantry. What was once a harmless celebration now looks grotesque in retrospect. Not the spirit of it, per se, but the accuracy in which it captured the collective, foot-stomping national pride of the times. We were #1 and wanted everyone to know it. This was soon to be followed by the “young, cool and pathologically-driven” theme of the ’90s. That’s really what we looked like, folks. It’s a groovy song, but think about what exactly we’re supposed to be celebrating here. Back in the ’80s people didn’t expect the shit to hit the fan; we were filled with wonder of what the future held. Looking back, though just a munchkin at the time, I can definitively say this isn’t where I figured we’d wind up in 20 years. I’m sure most others would concur.
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wakemenow said
After many listens, I have since fallen in love with David Byrne’s “Miss America” tune. His passion really comes through in this song.