Young Americans by David Bowie Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of a Disenchanted Generation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for David Bowie's Young Americans at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

They pulled in just behind the bridge
He lays her down, he frowns
“Gee, my life’s a funny thing, am I still too young?”
He kissed her then and there
She took his ring, took his babies
It took him minutes, took her nowhere
Heaven knows, she’d have taken anything, but

(All night)
She wants a young American
(Young American, young American, she wants the young American)
(All right)
But she wants the young American

Scanning life through the picture window
She finds the slinky vagabond
He coughs as he passes her Ford Mustang
But Heaven forbid, she’ll take anything
But the freak, and his type, all for nothing
Misses a step and cuts his hand, but
Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
She cries, “Where have all Papa’s heroes gone?”

(All night)
She wants a young American
(Young American, young American, she wants the young American)
(All right)
Well she wants the young American

All the way from Washington
Her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor
“We live for just these twenty years
Do we have to die for the fifty more?”

(All night)
He wants the young American
(Young American, young American, he wants the young American)
(All right) all right
Well he wants the young American

Do you remember, your President Nixon?
Do you remember, the bills you have to pay?
Or even yesterday?

Have you been the un-American?
Just you and your idol sing falsetto
‘Bout leather, leather everywhere, and
Not a myth left from the ghetto
Well, well, well, would you carry a razor
In case, just in case of depression?
Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors
Blushing at all the Afro-Sheeners
Ain’t that close to love?
Well, ain’t that poster love?
Well, it ain’t that Barbie doll
Her heart’s have been broken just like you and

(All night)
All night you want the young American
(Young American, young American, you want the young American)
(All right)
You want the young American

You ain’t a pimp and you ain’t a hustler (young American, young American)
A pimp’s got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler (you want the young American)
Black’s got respect, and white’s got his soul train (all right)
Mama’s got cramps, and look at your hands ache
(I heard the news today, oh boy)
I got a suite and you got defeat
Ain’t there a man who can say no more? (All night)
And, ain’t there a woman I can sock on the jaw?
And, ain’t there a child I can hold without judging? (young American, young American)
Ain’t there a pen that will write before they die? (You want the young American)
Ain’t you proud that you’ve still got faces? (All right)
Ain’t there one damn song that can make me
Break down and cry?

(All night)
I want the young American
Young American, young American, I want the young American
(All right)
I want the young American, young American
(Young American, young American, I want the young American)
I want what you want, I want what you want
(All night)
You want I, I want you, I
(Young American, young American, I want the young American)
(All right)
And all I want is the young American
(Young American, young American, I want the young American)

David Bowie’s ‘Young Americans’, a staple of the 1970s rock cannon, continues to resonate as a powerful commentary on the American zeitgeist. With its fusion of funk and soul, Bowie crafted not just a song, but an intricate narrative rich with social critique and reflections on identity.

Peeling away the layers of this iconic track reveals a melange of disillusionment, longing, and a stark examination of the American Dream. The allure of Bowie’s ‘Young Americans’ lies not only in its catchy saxophone riffs and captivating choruses but also in its profound lyrical tapestry that invites us to ponder the very essence of youthful yearning in the land of the free.

A Soulful Dissection: The Slinky Vagabond’s Tale

Like the ‘slinky vagabond’ traversing the song’s landscape, Bowie’s protagonists are drifters in a cultural and emotional wasteland. Nothing encapsulates the malaise of post-Nixon America quite like the imagery Bowie employs. The characters seek something more, yet they are met with a series of unsettling trade-offs: fleeting encounters, unfulfilled dreams, and stark realities.

Bowie’s ‘Young Americans’ is an exploration of the disenchanted youth, across aspirational divides. The narrative constructs a vivid portrait not just of individual characters but of a generation seeking identity in a world of shifting values and broken promises. The irony is palpable as the song sheds light on the starkly different lived experiences of young Americans, contrasted against the homogeneous image often sold by the media.

Do you remember your President Nixon? – The Political Overtones

The song doesn’t shy away from political commentary, as Bowie effortlessly weaves historical and political context into the storytelling. Referencing Nixon, a figure synonymous with scandal and disillusion, strikes a chord that resonates with the song’s broader narrative: the loss of innocence and the hard pivot into adulthood within a nation rocked by political unrest.

The mention of President Nixon and the subsequent existential questions underscores the interplay between personal woes and national issues. It’s a finely tuned balance that Bowie achieves, using the microcosms of individual lives to reflect the upheaval and uncertainty of the macrocosm that is the American historical and political landscape.

Leather and Afro-Sheen – The Clash of Cultures and Identities

Bowie’s song doesn’t just articulate a generational malaise; it dives into the complexities of identity itself. Lyrics that contrast ‘leather, leather everywhere’ with ‘all the Afro-Sheeners’ delve into the notions of race, class, and sexuality that were particularly poignant during the song’s release, yet remain relevant today.

This cultural tapestry serves as a reminder of the broader American experience, one where disparate groups, carrying their unique identities and struggles, strive for recognition and self-expression. Bowie captures this zeitgeist, painting a picture of a conflicted America grappling with its own diversity.

Beyond the Ghetto and the Bathroom Floor – The Song’s Hidden Meaning

At first glance, ‘Young Americans’ may seem to celebrate the very essence of youth and its potential. But the song’s true genius lies in Bowie’s nuanced take on the American dream. The ‘ghetto’ and the ‘bathroom floor’ are metaphorical spaces that represent the reality for many, far removed from the pursuit of star-spangled happiness the American narrative promises.

The lyrics push listeners to question the very fabric of the supposed opportunities within the American framework. ‘We live for just these twenty years. Do we have to die for the fifty more?’ Bowie asks, echoing the sentiment of a generation disillusioned by the crushing weight of societal expectations and the harsh truths of adulthood.

Breaking Down and Crying: The Immortal Lines that Define a Nation

‘Ain’t there a man who can say no more? And, ain’t there a woman I can sock on the jaw? And, ain’t there a child I can hold without judging?’ These lines craft a raw, visceral snapshot of societal dysfunction. Beyond their seemingly abrasive nature, they expose the yearning for simplicity, connection, and an end to the prejudices and complexities that plague everyday life.

Bowie’s ability to channel frustration into a poignant plea for authenticity and emotional catharsis elevates the song into a timeless analysis of human connection. ‘All I want is the young American’ serves as both a personal and collective cry for a sense of belonging and understanding within the greater American landscape, a desire as relevant now as it was during the song’s conception.