Actors - Young Americans

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Young Americans was a single by David Bowie.

The first studio result of Bowie’s mid-1970s obsession with soul, “Young Americans” was a breakthrough hit for the artist in America (where the single was released in an edited 3:11 version). The sound, often later reflected on by Bowie as “plastic soul”, was matched by a cynical lyric, making references to the Watergate Scandal, McCarthyism and black repression via Rosa Parks, as well as a direct lift from The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” with the line “I heard the news today oh boy!”. The backing vocal arrangement came at the suggestion of Luther Vandross. The "all night/all right" chorus is virtually identical to Bowie's 1972 song, "Lady Stardust".

The song was a massive breakthrough in America, where glam rock had never really caught on, making #28 in the Billboard Chart, his biggest success there up until that point.

The song has accompanied the end credits of Dogville and Manderlay; the first two films of Lars Von Trier's USA - Land of Opportunities, and it will probably be in the third movie, too.

Track listing

# "Young Americans" (Bowie) – 5:10 # "Suffragette City” (Bowie) – 3:45

The US release had "Knock on Wood" as the B-side.

Production credits

Producer:
* Tony Visconti on “Young Americans”
* Ken Stott
on “Suffragette City”

Musicians:
* David Bowie
: Vocals, Guitar
* Willie Weeks: Bass
* Mike Garson
: Piano
* Andy Newmark: Drums
* David Sanborn: Saxophone
* Pablo Rosario: Percussion
* Larry Washington: Conga
* Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Luther Vandross: Backing vocals
* Mick Ronson: Guitar on “Suffragette City”
* Trevor Bolder: Bass on “Suffragette City”
* Mick Woodmansey: Drums on “Suffragette City”

Other releases

It appeared on several compilations:
* ChangesOneBowie
(1976)

* Best of Bowie
(1980)

* Fame and Fashion (1984)

* Sound + Vision box set (1989)
* ChangesBowie (1990)
* Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)
* The Singles Collection (1993)
The US single edit appeared on the The Best of 1974/1979 and Rare.
It was released as picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.

Cover versions

The Braids - Here We Come (1998)
The Cure - An XFM Compilation Album (1992)
Everything - Drop Dead Gorgeous Soundtrack (1999)
Lily of the Valley - Live Recording: Webster Hall, NYC
Luther Vandross and Ava Cherry - Luther Vandross Live At Wembley, London

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