Young Americans

Written by: David Bowie

Times Played 2
First Played 12-31-2016
Last Played  12-11-2017

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

  • [CHORUS (She)]
  • All night
  • She wants the young American
  • Young American, young American, she wants the young American
  • All right
  • She wants the young American

  • Scanning life through the picturewindow
  • 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
  • He misses a step and cuts his hand, but
  • Showing nothing, he swoops like a song
  • She cries "Where have all Papa's heroes gone?"

  • [CHORUS (She)]
  • 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?"

  • [CHORUS (HE)]
  • All night
  • He wants the young American
  • Young American, young American,
  • he wants the young American
  • All right
  • He wants the young American

  • Do you remember, your President Nixon?
  • Do you remember, the bills you have to pay?
  • Or even yesterday?
  • Have 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 hearts have been broken just like you
  • [CHORUS (YOU)]
  • 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
  • A pimp's got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler
  • Black's got respect, and white's got his soul train
  • 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?
  • And, ain't there a woman I can
  • sock on the jaw?
  • And, ain't there a child I can hold without judging?
  • Ain't there a pen that will write before they die?
  • Ain't you proud that you've still got faces?
  • Ain't there one damn song that can make me
  • break down and cry?

  • [CHORUS (I) (repeat 3 times ad lib)]
  • All night
  • I want the young American
  • Young American, young American, I want the young American
  • All right … I want the young American