| "I'm Afraid of Americans" | ||||
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| Single by David Bowie | ||||
| from the album Earthling | ||||
| A-side | Versions 1–4 (12") | |||
| B-side | Versions 5–6 (12") | |||
| Released | 14 October 1997 | |||
| Recorded | August–October 1996 | |||
| Studio | Looking Glass (New York City) | |||
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| Label | Virgin | |||
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| David Bowie singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I'm Afraid of Americans" on YouTube | ||||
"I'm Afraid of Americans" is a song by the English musician David Bowie, released as a single from his album Earthling on 14 October 1997 through Virgin Records. The song was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno and originally recorded during the sessions for Bowie's 1995 album Outside; this version was released on the soundtrack of Showgirls (1995). The song was then remade during the sessions for Earthling, featuring rewritten lyrics, overdubs and transposed verses. An industrial and techno track, it presents a critique of America through the eyes of a stereotypical "Johnny" and is characterised by drum patterns, synthesisers, various loops and vocal distortions.
The maxi-single release contained six different remixes mostly created by Trent Reznor and his Nine Inch Nails band members; the V3 mix featured Ice Cube while the V5 mix was created by Photek.[1] Reznor subsequently appeared in the music video, which reflected the song's theme of a frightened European in an American city. The single was Bowie's final single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 until 2015, reaching number 66. Reznor's V1 mix has since appeared on several compilation albums.
The song has received positive responses from critics and biographers. Rolling Stone named it one of the 30 most essential songs of Bowie's catalogue in 2016. Some American commentators later acknowledged the significance of the lyrics in the late 2010s. Bowie performed "I'm Afraid of Americans" frequently on his concert tours, live performances from which have been released on live albums. Reznor has performed the song live with Nine Inch Nails as well.
- ^ I'm Afraid of Americans Credits (liner notes). Virgin Records. V25H-38618. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
Personnel is noted as "Nine Inch Nails members" and are not given exact roles