Song of the Day 6/30: David Bowie, “I’m Afraid of Americans”
The European Union has banned tourists from the United States because of our nation’s inability to get a handle on its COVID-19 pandemic, making fear of Americans an official policy. Frankly, given some citizens’ quick resort to firearms during any disagreement, I think fear of Americans is an entirely rational default setting, virus or no virus.
The song was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno and released on Bowie’s 1997 “Earthling” LP. Trent Reznor appears in the video because Nine Inch Nails was touring with Bowie at the time and released a remixed version of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7APmRkatEU
I was in Europe during the Reagan years. There was a lingering sense that America was a special kind of country back then. Sure the country fucked up once in a while and supported Pinochet and the Shah of Iran, but America’s heart in the right place. We exhibited a goofy nativity about “the American way” back then. In fact, a South African once said to me, “You Americans and your bill of rights. You think all any country has to do is adopt it and things would be great. It is like magic pixie dust to you.”
When the Challenger blew up and people were genuinely sad for Americans. But they knew America was the most optimistic of nations and we’d shake it off, and continue leading the world in aerospace.
Now they think we are a country of selfish, shortsighted dicks. And they are mostly right.
Could not agree more. And the bit with the guns is out of control as well.