This Is Not America
David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group Lyrics


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This is not America
(Sha, la, la, la, la)

Little piece of you
A little peace in me
Will die (this is not a miracle)
For this is not America
Blossom fails to bloom this season
Promise not to stare
Too long (this is not America)
For this is not the miracle

There was a time
A storm that blew so pure
For this could be the biggest sky
And I could have the faintest idea

For this is not America
(Sha, la, la, la, la)
(Sha, la, la, la, la)
(Sha, la, la, la, la)
This is not America (no)
This is not (sha, la, la, la, la)

Snowman melting from the inside
Falcon spirals
To the ground (this could be the biggest sky)
So bloody red, tomorrow's clouds

A little piece of you
A little piece in me
Will die (this could be a miracle)
For this is not America

There was a time
A wind that blew so young
For this could be the biggest sky
And I could have the faintest idea

For this is not America
(Sha, la, la, la, la)
(Sha, la, la, la, la)
(Sha, la, la, la, la)

This is not America (no)
This is not (sha, la, la, la)
This is not America (no)
This is not




This is not America (no)
This is not (sha, la, la, la)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group's song "This is Not America" open up with the line "This is not America," where America symbolizes a utopia desired by the world. The song suggests that the idea of America is not consistent anymore, and the world has lost hope in its old notion of the country. A little piece of the singer and his listener is dying with that realization. The singer acknowledges that their expectations of America may never be achieved, and the dreams might never come true. The song talks about a failed promise, of something great that could have happened, which never did.


The second verse continues the theme of loss and fading hopes. "Blossom fails to bloom this season," may depict America's failure to prosper and grow while "promise not to stare too long" may suggest that staring at the weaknesses for too long may lead to disappointment. The song talks about how America is starting to crumble from within, like the "snowman melting from the inside." The song suggests that the hope and promise Americans once believed in are dying, and the possibility of restoring it to its former glory may not be possible anymore. The song ends with the repetition of "This is not America," which reiterates the theme of loss and failed expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

This is not America
The current state of affairs does not reflect the ideals and values that America stands for.


(Sha, la, la, la, la)


Little piece of you
The individual is affected by the changes that are happening around them.


A little peace in me
The impact of the external changes is personal and internal to the individual.


Will die (this is not a miracle)
The changes that are happening are not a positive transformation or the result of an extraordinary event.


For this is not America
The current state of affairs does not reflect the principles that America stands for.


Blossom fails to bloom this season
The normal cycle of life is disrupted.


Promise not to stare
The current situation is unpleasant and should not be dwelled upon.


Too long (this is not America)
It is not healthy or sustainable to dwell on the current situation, as it does not align with American values.


For this is not the miracle
The current situation is not a positive transformation or the result of an extraordinary event.


There was a time
There was a time in America when things were better and reflected its values.


A storm that blew so pure
A time when change was for the better, and it aligned with American values.


For this could be the biggest sky
Change can be transformative and larger than what one can imagine.


And I could have the faintest idea
In the past, there was room for growth and a better understanding of how to bring effective changes that align with American values.


This is not America (no)
The current state of affairs does not align with American values or principles.


Snowman melting from the inside
The current situation is affecting individuals and is affecting them on a personal level.


Falcon spirals to the ground
The current situation is harming society and causing it to become weaker, like a falcon that is losing its strength.


So bloody red, tomorrow's clouds
The future holds violent and unsettling events.


Will die (this could be a miracle)
The current situation could be an opportunity for positive change, but it is not being viewed as such.


For this is not America
The current state of affairs does not reflect the values that America stands for.


There was a time
There was a time when America was better, and it reflected its values.


A wind that blew so young
A time when change was for the better, and it aligned with American values.


For this could be the biggest sky
Change can be transformative and larger than what one can imagine.


And I could have the faintest idea
In the past, there was room for growth and a better understanding of how to bring effective changes that align with American values.


This is not America (no)
The current state of affairs does not align with American values or principles.


(Sha, la, la, la, la)


(Sha, la, la, la, la)


(Sha, la, la, la, la)


This is not America (no)
The current state of affairs does not align with American values or principles.


This is not (sha, la, la, la, la)


This is not America (no)
The current state of affairs does not align with American values or principles.


This is not


This is not America (no)
The current state of affairs does not align with American values or principles.


This is not (sha, la, la, la)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Bowie, Lyle Mays, Patrick B Metheny

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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