• Home
  • Discography
  • Film work
  • Awards
  • Random
  • Recent changes
  • Special pages
  • nin.com
  • nin:hotline
  • nin:live
  • nin:catalog
  • nin:tourhistory
  • /r/nin
  • echoingthesound
  • Preferences
Open main menu
  • 18.216.186.122
  • Watchlist
  • Contributions
  • Log in

Difference between revisions of "I'm Afraid Of Americans"

  • Edit
    • Page information
    • Permanent link
    • What links here
Revision as of 04:55, 28 September 2018 (view source)
Piggy (talk | contribs)
← Older edit
Revision as of 04:16, 8 December 2018 (view source)
Piggy (talk | contribs)
Newer edit →
Line 23: Line 23:
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
−
===I'm Afraid Of Americans (live)===
 
−
Nine Inch Nails first covered the song live during the [[Wave Goodbye Tour]].
 
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans===
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans===
 
The original song appears on David Bowie's album ''Earthling'', also released in 1997.
 
The original song appears on David Bowie's album ''Earthling'', also released in 1997.
 +
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)===
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)===
−
Remixed by [[Nine Inch Nails]], this version was used as the single mix of the song, in its music video, and appears on the titular remix EP and the ''Best of Bowie'' compilation. Reznor sings backup in this mix, most notably in the "God is an American" coda.
+
Remixed by [[Nine Inch Nails]], this version was used as the single mix of the song, in its music video, and appears on the titular remix EP and the ''Best of Bowie'' compilation. Reznor sings backup in this mix, most notably in the choruses and the
 +
"God is an American" coda.
 +
 
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V2)===
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V2)===
 
This remix resembles "[[Closer#Closer_.28Precursor.29|Closer (Precursor)]]" in its laid back beat and soundscaping.
 
This remix resembles "[[Closer#Closer_.28Precursor.29|Closer (Precursor)]]" in its laid back beat and soundscaping.
Line 34: Line 35:
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V3)===
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V3)===
 
This version splices vocals by Bowie with those of Ice Cube, manipulated into phrases like "I pledge allegiance" and "a murder-merican" in addition to many others. The beat and bassline are very minimal, and eventually give way to a distant piano below Ice Cube's words "TV got your brain."
 
This version splices vocals by Bowie with those of Ice Cube, manipulated into phrases like "I pledge allegiance" and "a murder-merican" in addition to many others. The beat and bassline are very minimal, and eventually give way to a distant piano below Ice Cube's words "TV got your brain."
 +
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V4)===
 
===I'm Afraid of Americans (V4)===
 
This remix is very atmospheric, created in more of an ambient style, and is predominantly instrumental, using various layers of the original beat and guitars.
 
This remix is very atmospheric, created in more of an ambient style, and is predominantly instrumental, using various layers of the original beat and guitars.
Line 50: Line 52:
  
 
==Lyrics==
 
==Lyrics==
−
    Johnny's in America, no tricks at the wheel
+
    Johnny's in America
−
    Nobody needs anyone, they don't even just pretend
+
    No tricks at the wheel
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    No one needs anyone
−
   
+
    They don't even just pretend
−
    I'm afraid of Americans
+
         
−
    I'm afraid of the world
+
    Johnny's in America
−
    I'm afraid I can't help it
+
    I'm afraid of Americans
−
    I'm afraid I can't
+
    I'm afraid of the world
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    I'm afraid I can't help it
−
   
+
    I'm afraid I can't
−
    Johnny wants a plane, Johnny wants to suck on a Coke
+
     
−
    Johnny wants a woman, Johnny wants to think of a joke
+
    I'm afraid of Americans
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    I'm afraid of the world
−
   
+
    I'm afraid I can't help it
−
    I'm afraid of Americans
+
    I'm afraid I can't
−
    I'm afraid of the world
+
   
−
    I'm afraid I can't help it
+
    I'm afraid of Americans
−
    I'm afraid I can't
+
   
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    Johnny's in America
−
   
+
   
−
    Johnny's in America, Johnny looks up at the stars
+
    Johnny wants a brain
−
    Johnny combs his hair
+
    Johnny wants to suck on a Coke
−
    And Johnny wants pussy and cars
+
    Johnny wants a woman
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    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 of Americans
−
    I'm afraid I can't help it
+
    I'm afraid of the world
−
    I'm afraid I can't
+
    I'm afraid I can't help it
−
    Johnny's in America
+
    I'm afraid I can't
−
   
+
   
−
    God is an American
+
    I'm afraid of Americans
−
    God is an American
+
    I'm afraid of the world
−
   
+
    I'm afraid I can't help it
−
    I'm afraid of Americans
+
    I'm afraid I can't
−
    I'm afraid of the world
+
   
−
    I'm afraid I can't help it
+
    I'm afraid of Americans
−
   
+
   
−
    I'm afraid I can't
+
    Johnny's in America
−
   
+
    Johnny looks up at the stars
−
    I'm afraid of Americans
+
    Johnny combs his hair
−
    I'm afraid of the world
+
    And Johnny wants pussy in cars
−
    I'm afraid I can't help it
+
    Johnny's in America
−
    I'm afraid I can't
+
    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 words
 +
    I'm afraid I can't help it
 +
    I'm afraid I can't
 +
   
 +
    I'm afraid of Americans
 +
   
 +
    God is an American
 +
 
 +
The above lyrics are from the Nine Inch Nails V1 remix.
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 04:16, 8 December 2018

Album:Earthling
Length:4:12
Tempo:160 BPM
Versions:I'm Afraid Of Americans
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V1)
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V2)
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V3)
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V4)
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V5)
I'm Afraid Of Americans (V6)
Live:Wave Goodbye through Tension 2013 Tour
Europe + Asia 2018 through present

"I'm Afraid of Americans" is a David Bowie song that was remixed by Trent Reznor for its maxi-single release in 1997.

Contents

  • 1 Song Credits
  • 2 Appearances
    • 2.1 Other
  • 3 Versions
    • 3.1 I'm Afraid of Americans
    • 3.2 I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)
    • 3.3 I'm Afraid of Americans (V2)
    • 3.4 I'm Afraid of Americans (V3)
    • 3.5 I'm Afraid of Americans (V4)
    • 3.6 I'm Afraid of Americans (V5)
    • 3.7 I'm Afraid of Americans (V6)
  • 4 Music Video
  • 5 Live
  • 6 Lyrics
  • 7 External Links

Song Credits

V1-4, 6:

  • Production and additional performances by Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor, Charlie Clouser, Keith Hillebrandt, Dave "Rave" Ogilvie, Danny Lohner
  • Mixed by Dave "Rave" Ogilvie
  • Engineered by Brian Pollack at Nothing Studios, New Orleans
  • Special guest on V3: Ice Cube

V5:

  • Additional production and remix by Photek

Appearances

Other

  • I'm Afraid Of Americans
  • Earthling

Versions

I'm Afraid of Americans

The original song appears on David Bowie's album Earthling, also released in 1997.

I'm Afraid of Americans (V1)

Remixed by Nine Inch Nails, this version was used as the single mix of the song, in its music video, and appears on the titular remix EP and the Best of Bowie compilation. Reznor sings backup in this mix, most notably in the choruses and the "God is an American" coda.

I'm Afraid of Americans (V2)

This remix resembles "Closer (Precursor)" in its laid back beat and soundscaping.

I'm Afraid of Americans (V3)

This version splices vocals by Bowie with those of Ice Cube, manipulated into phrases like "I pledge allegiance" and "a murder-merican" in addition to many others. The beat and bassline are very minimal, and eventually give way to a distant piano below Ice Cube's words "TV got your brain."

I'm Afraid of Americans (V4)

This remix is very atmospheric, created in more of an ambient style, and is predominantly instrumental, using various layers of the original beat and guitars.

I'm Afraid of Americans (V5)

Photek created this remix, a very minimal and bouncy electronic version of the song. Spliced vocals are arranged above a repetitious bassline, synth melody, and drum programming resembling that of Bowie's song "Little Wonder," the first on Earthling.

I'm Afraid of Americans (V6)

The final NIN remix of the song transitions directly from the Photek mix, and is mostly composed of very repetitious bass and drums. It is instrumental, and bears very little resemblance to any part of the original.

Music Video

The video features Reznor stalking Bowie throughout New York, with Bowie constantly trying to escape. Throughout the video, violent acts are "committed" with guns seemingly only visible to Bowie, culminating in Reznor firing an automatic imaginary gun at a cab that Bowie is hiding behind. Reznor subsequently appears bearing a cross as part of a misfit parade passing Bowie in the streets, chanting "God is an American."

Live

Nine Inch Nails first performed this song live on the NIN|JA 2009 Tour. It is performed with an elongated ending section. During the Tension 2013 Tour, this song featured backing vocals by Lisa Fischer and Sharlotte Gibson.

Lyrics

    Johnny's in America
    No tricks at the wheel
    No one needs anyone
    They don't even just pretend
         
    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 wants a brain
    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 combs his hair
    And Johnny wants pussy in 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 words
    I'm afraid I can't help it
    I'm afraid I can't
    
    I'm afraid of Americans
    
    God is an American

The above lyrics are from the Nine Inch Nails V1 remix.

External Links

  • "I'm Afraid Of Americans" live from on stage in Toronto, 6.02.09
Retrieved from "https://www.nin.wiki/index.php?title=I%27m_Afraid_Of_Americans&oldid=53955"
View edit history of this page.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About nin.wiki
  • Disclaimers
  • Mobile view