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Young Americans
David Bowie Lyrics


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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)

Overall Meaning

The song "Young Americans" is a commentary on American culture in the 1970s, specifically the societal discontent and disillusionment. The first verse describes a couple in a moment of desperation, with the man questioning if he's too young to be experiencing such difficult events. The woman takes everything she can from the man, including his ring and his babies, which suggests an unfulfilled need for love and security. The chorus emphasizes the woman's desire for a young American, which can be interpreted as a desire for the American Dream or a need for comfort.


In the second verse, the woman is observing her surroundings, looking for someone to fulfill her needs. She encounters a vagabond but decides against pursuing him because he doesn't fit her idea of a hero. The man she ultimately desires is described as a bread-winner who begs off the bathroom floor, highlighting the financial struggles felt by many Americans during this time period. The man desires the young American just as much as the woman does, but his reasons are not made explicit.


The song's bridge is the most gripping, with Bowie asking several questions about American culture during the time period, including a reference to President Nixon and questioning whether people have become "un-American." Through these questions, Bowie criticizes American culture for its obsession with consumerism and materialism while neglecting more important issues. Overall, "Young Americans" is a commentary on the societal discontent and aimlessness that many Americans felt during the 1970s.


Line by Line Meaning

They pulled in just behind the bridge
The two individuals drove their car and stopped behind a bridge.


He lays her down, he frowns
He places her on the ground and appears unhappy.


Gee my life's a funny thing, am I still too young?
The person wonders if they are too young to experience the strange happenings in their life.


He kissed her then and there
He kissed her immediately in that location.


She took his ring, took his babies
She stole his wedding ring and his children.


It took him minutes, took her nowhere
He wasted precious minutes trying to find her but it was unsuccessful.


Heaven knows, she'd have taken anything, but
She would have taken anything as long it was not from a 'freak' or a similar type of person.


All night
Throughout the entire night.


She wants a young American Young American, young American, she wants the young American All night But she wants the young American
She desires a young person in America, and she continues to want them throughout the night.


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?"
She observes life through a window and spots a disheveled wanderer who coughs while he walks by her car. She is willing to accept almost anyone except for those seen as 'freaks.' The wanderer misses a step and cuts his hand, but he moves gracefully like a dancer. She then questions where the heroic figures like her father have gone.


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?
The woman's main source of income begs for mercy on the bathroom floor, who came from Washington D.C. Then, the person reflects on how people only really live for twenty years, and questions if they should die for the remaining fifty years afterwards.


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
He desires a young person in America throughout the night, and he continues to want them. The repetition emphasizes this.


Do you remember, your President Nixon? (ooh) Do you remember, the bills you have to pay? Or even yesterday?
The singer questions the listener if they recall President Nixon's action, or any economic worries they have. Additionally, he asks if they can remember what happened even just the day before.


Have been the un-American? (ooh) Just you and your idol sing falsetto (ooh) 'Bout Leather, leather everywhere, and Not a myth left from the ghetto Well, well, well, would you carry a razor (ooh) In case, just in case of depression? (ooh) 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 and
The singer further questions if the listener's actions in the past have been 'Un-American.' He also implies that the listener and their idol are putting on a fake persona to fit societal images. He then dives into how the listener presents themselves, bringing up topics and object or possessions related to Leather, Blades, and Blushers. Finally, He points out how everyone has had their heart broken or similar experiences.


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
The singer is describing how the listener desires a young American throughout the entire night. He repeats this idea to emphasize its importance.


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?
The singer again highlights the differences between races and classes, emphasizing the idea that the listener is not a pimp nor a hustler. He contrasts the difference in cars owned between a pimp and a woman, then notes how black people are respected while white people pursue their passions. He then brings up physical issues faced by women such as menstrual cramps and how the listener's hands ache. He expresses his frustration at the news he's heard, but still has enough wealth to have lodging while the listener struggles. The singer inquires if there's anyone that will help stop the pain endured by others, and express his hope for one song that can cause raw emotional reaction in both himself and the listener.


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 and 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
The singer again emphasizes their desire for a young American throughout the night through repetition. He states that he wants the listener and he to share this desire, while stating this again in the first person perspective. Finally, he wraps up the chorus with another repetition of wanting the young American.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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