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a tribute to David Bowie - I'm Afraid of Americans

from Cover Songs by Paul S Skinner

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about

Been wanting to cover this song for a few months now, this is a sleeper hit around the millennia which David Bowie eventually collaborated with Nine Inch Nails and input from house drummer and producer Photek. I'm not REALLY afraid of Americans, but it is the chorus I think of when I critically think of current status in my home country. I changed a couple of the lyrics around just to modernize and relate it a little, but I got a little carried away during the outtro. Just like the original, the progressions are pretty simple and just about everything is looped. Even before Bowie had it remixed, I would say this is definitely very punk, and Reznor and gang really gave it the hard grit it needed. Here's my stab at it; enjoy!

lyrics

Johnny's in America, trolling at the end of his thumb
No one needs anyone, they don't even just pretend

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

Johnny's in America

Johnny wants a house, Johnny wants to suck on a Coke
Johnny wants a woman, Johnny wants to think of a joke
Johnny'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

Johnny's in America, Johnny looks up at the stars
Johnny has his privileges, Johnny wants pussy and cars
Johnny's in America
Johnny'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
Yeah, 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

Johnny's an American
Our neighbor's an American
Father's an American
The police is American
My governor's American
Trump is an American
God is an American
I am an American
We are all Americans
I'm afraid of Americans

credits

from Cover Songs, track released February 23, 2021
Music and Lyrics by David Bowie & Brian Eno, with Nine Inch Nails and Photek; a recording of Paul S Skinner of NeatoSoundsInc©

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Paul S Skinner Long Beach, California

"My commemorative monument will be made of a variation of Big Thunder Mountain and Matterhorn Mountain, and will depict my victory over learning to tie my shoes."
- Paul Skinner

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