Luther Vandross was one of the background vocalists and David Sanborn was on the sax! In the early ‘80s, Bowie‘s album “Let’s Dance” featured Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar. Check out the title track and “Modern Love.” Bowie never stayed in the same lane musically. Everything he did was groundbreaking.
Luther Vandross also arranged the background vocals for the entire album. This album was also one of the first to feature the hot sax sound that was a staple of the 80's.
Queen B*tch is so great. As it’s on an album with Life on Mars? and changes I feel that it’s somewhat overshadowed by them but a great song nonetheless
Bowie had great taste and appreciated the more experimental elements of music and art. He was never a thief, but he was always aware of the cutting-edge and non-commercial music made throughout Europe. He was a theatre performer, which is why I believe it was easy for him to transform into these different characters like Ziggy Stardust, Halloween Jack, and the Thin White Duke. The theatricality never left him.
Bowie's America trilogy - Young Americans, This is not America, I'm Afraid of Americans. Fair to say this is the most optimistic of the 3 by a lot. Such a great groove and Luther Vandross on background vocals i think? Makes me smile every time.....
"Fame" continues the groove found on this song. This whole album has a jazz, funk feel. On another note, I would check out "Golden Years" for what I think are his best vocals and best groove.
If I had to choose only three Bowie 45s to take to a deserter island, I’d pick Fame, Life on Mars, and a second copy of Fame for when the first one wears out. And I’m very fond of a dozen other Bowie songs.
5 million sax players all over the world have tried to copy David Sanborns sound on this song. It's as unmistakable as a human voice. Legendary in every possible way. You guys should check out some Sanborn here on your channel.
@SteelyDaddy59 I'd that one and "Straight From The Heart" which is a live album recorded in a television studio. That live extended version of "Smile" from "Hideaway" is phenomenal. Both him and the late Hiram Bullock give great performances.
The way Bowie hits the piano on this track and his vocal performance just sends it through the top! Another good one that I've always felt couples with this track is his song golden years.
@@kenjohnston1257 I think I figured it out, aside from sounding similar, most albums that feature both songs the songs are fairly close to each other in chronological album placement. Notably his greatest Hits albums over the decades.
Bowie is NOT a "listen-to-it-once-and-you-get-it" kind of artist. This isn't my favorite iteration of Bowie, either. You kind of have to live with him a while before his music truly infiltrates you. That's been my experience, anyway. So much of his career is amazing. Just as fascinating is what misses.
I totally agree. After decades of sporadic dabbling, I went on a Bowie deep binge during the pandemic. Reminded me of what I knew before: every album has a hit or two, a few albums are epic, but the guy was relentlessly changing and exploring. And I REALLY respect that! But this is one of my least favorite Bowie albums. There are some really bad songs on here, though "Young Americans" is ok. These guys are too nice. I'd give it a B-, only for well made. But I really don't find it very deep.
Agree. I love Bowie. His B work is better than a lot of others’ best efforts. But this, Let’s Dance, a few others, listenable, but just not on my huge list of Bowie favorites.
One of the whole thing about Bowie is that he is transformative as well as innovative. His "sound" constantly mutates as he explores different musical directions. A genius, like Todd Rundgren.
Without knowing the phrase, but just knowing about Bowie, they almost get it. It's plastic soul, fakery and showmanship, not true blue-eyed soul. Even though it incorporates more soulful rhythm & blues like Luther Vandross around the edges.
Love this song. The way the lyrics and his vocals are delivered in a way that enhances the rhythm. Especially the way he ramps it up towards the end. Curious to see what y'all think of it.
This is totally one of Bowies greatest vocal performances. Great lyrics sung in a way that serves the feel of the song to a T. Here is a cool cover that really highlights the great lyrics czcams.com/video/dGi-GCfA45Q/video.html.
@@jtok3459 I love that version. Thx for sharing it. Great lyrics. These dudes should check the lyrics more often. And they need to learn how to appreciate a groove.
You're right, the rhythm he puts into his voice here is incredible, it's almost percussive like a piano. The last verse when he's on a roll wrapping up all the tragedy is masterful. This isn't even one of my favorites and it's still jaw-dropping 😂
Check out the song "When You Come Back To Me" by World Party. That song will immediately remind you of this one. It's on the "Reality Bites" soundtrack. Maybe Ben Stiller couldn't get clearance for "Young Americans," so he commissioned this song.
Your recent poll asked for an r&b-type entry for the 60s and 70s, this could be one of them. 'Fame' is so funky it got played on 'urban' radio and got Bowie on Soul Train!!
Speaking of Davie Bowie being consistently different, I'm reminded of when he made a comeback in the 80s after not recording for a while. A guy on the radio made the comment, "It goes to show you can't keep a strange man down."
I think the big difference between feeling neutral about this tune and loving it is that it was meant as a dance song. If you heard this in a disco in 1974, you'd grab the nearest hand and race to the dance floor to get your groove on. Some songs (Led Zep's "Black Dog," for example) are great to listen to while driving along an open highway... but some are meant for the dance floor. This was Bowie turning from Ziggy Stardust to Philly Soul, which he called "plastic soul," because... well, he wasn't black.
This came out near the end of my freshman year in college What one strikes me in looking at the songs that were top hits in 1975, '76... is that each was a facet of the diamond that music of the 70's was. We had this, EWF, the Eagles, The O'Jays, Donna Summer, America, Springsteen and the list keeps on going. A diversity of sound and creativity where each made the other sparkle. Truly a rich, treasure chest of music.
David Bowie did play saxophone but on the studio recording he handed off the job to David Sanborn, a well know sax player. I have seen Bowie playing sax in live shows on occasion. This is a very cool song, the production is so good. This is always on my personal playlist for exercise because it just has a happy vibe about it. Bowie's voice was so unique and diverse. Thank you for this reaction. This has to at least be an "A"
David Sanborn is a legend. He suffered from polio for 8 years and picked up the sax on the advice of his doctor to help him with this breathing. Sanborn is one of the more influential people in blues, jazz, pop and rock. Used to love his late night show he co-hosted "Night Music" and his radio program "The Jazz Show with David Sanborn."
I saw Bowie play Sax on I think the Scary Monsters and Super Freaks Tour? I was very impressed. He 🚶♀️out on a stage extension that went into the crowd, under the spotlight and just went for an Epic Sax Solo. 😳👏
@@mrnobody3161 it was probably the Serious Moonlight Tour. Bowie had cancelled the Scary Monsters Tour before it had started, on account of John Lennon being shot a few blocks away from Broadway, where he'd been doing The Elephant Man.
Myself, I Love his glam rock phase as Ziggy Stardust, his band in those days were the Spiders From Mars with the legendary Mick Ronson on lead guitar. They produced several albums with many of his real Rocking Songs like Ziggy Stardust, Moonage Daydream, Width of a Circle, Gene Jenie and Panic in Detroit. Please don't forget this period as you explore his more popular songs. Enjoy! ♩
@@mikenichols3965 That song is Epic and utterly FIRE Live! ☉ For me I love Bowie with the Spiders From Mars, his time with Stevie Ray Vaughn and then Robert Fripp. He was at this rocking best with any of the above. Rock On! 🎸
HUGE dance hit for Bowie. Heavy soul and R & B influences. All about the groove and the move. Very much a song of the era. I can see how not being around then, and particularly not being a fan of that dance culture, how it wouldn't be something you'd necessarily appreciate so much. But you can bet many an 'old fogey' here was shaking their booties.
My favorite Bowie song. As usual, it takes an outsider to give a really cogent critique. In this case, you have a Brit presenting a typically American bright, glitzy, jazz-pop wrapper covering the *very* typical American self-destructive feelings of pathological lust for youth, moral vacancy, perpetual (and perpetually unfulfilled) quest for meaning, vacuity masquerading as profundity, isolation, and finally an achingly lonely despair. Like most Bowie songs of this era, it's a deeply ambivalent track that requires repeated listening, reading of the lyrics, and thought to plumb out its depths. I think the feeling of "something's not jibing" that you guys had is precisely what it was going for, and figuring out just why it isn't jibing is what the song is inviting you to do.
I don't disagree with what you said, but you have to admit Britain has or is rapidly becoming an Orwellian nightmare. My point is modern life has created vacuous people all over the world.
@@armadillotoe I don't have any first-hand experience with the UK so I can't comment with any certainty, but from a distance your comments seem to be spot-on. I'm sure Bowie could have written a similar song about the UK had he chosen to, or indeed any other of a number of Western countries. In this track he focused on the USA and made USA-specific observations, particularly about our fetishization of youth, being young, staying young, etc. -- he/she/they/I/you want the young Americans. Also typically American is the jazz-pop presentation, which sounds bright and happy and pretty but covers over agonizing realities that we'd all rather ignore.
This song is iconic 70’s feel. Bowie came to Philly for that groove and combined it with his biting lyrics about the US as an English artist. Issa whole vibe…
I was a 16 year old Bowie fan when this was released in 1975. It was a shock to us glam rock fans. Needless to say within 24 hours we were all soul boys! Blue eyed soul, or as Bowie called it, plastic soul. Check out the live performance on the Dick Cavett show and check out Fame (funk) from the same album, and Golden Years (funk) and Stay (rock/funk hybrid, the guitar work is insane) from the follow up album Station to Station.
This is Philly Soul, perfectly executed. I love all his stuff, but to me this is one of Bowie's most re-listenable songs. I never skip it when it comes up on shuffle. Some listeners question the song's "authenticity," but what I hear is a wonderful song, with an absolutely ear-wormy groove, an iconic sax part, and great vocals all-around. I'm always up for taking a ride on that beat.
I would suggest the song 'Station to Station' from the album of the same name. Either that or something from 'Low' from the beginning of his Berlin trilogy.
David Bowie is THE artist, my favorite one. So versatile, way in advance on his time. I have all he's albums and saw him 2 times in concert. RIP to this great legendary artist. By the way, this is he's first album to have success in the US, even if the previous ones are among the best ever.
agree 100%...i saw him the same night i heard my mom was in hospital and might not make it. i snuck down to the ninth row, and when he did heroes, i cried for my mom and screamed the words at the top of my lungs. it was very cathartic and i felt hope...my mom did come through and lived another 3 years. the weirdest thing about the show was, bowie wasn't the headliner, moby was. very strange. needless to say the crowd bailed after bowie. ha ha.
The never competitive Bowie continually recognized upcoming artists and talents, made a habit of working with or at least promoting many a rising talent. Invited a young Carlos Alomar to play on his album this time around.
He produced an Iggy Pop album, didn't he? And he picked Stevie Ray Vaughn to play on Let's Dance before SRV was a star. Gave a hit to Mott the Hoople when they were in danger of going under as well. There must be a ton more of these stories. Him and Prince are two artists that listened to and championed a ton of rising artists.
@@normanleroy1874 Exactly Norman. He really did a lot to boost Iggy's career. He either produced their records or invited them to either play on his records or had them open for him on tour. Also placed faith in Nile Rodgers for producing and playing rhythm guitar on "Let's Dance". Nile became the producer to define 80's pop, thanks to Bowie loving his work with Chic. I also loved the praise he gave to the Pixies.
Not my favorite David Bowie song but he's got huge balls to even attempt something like this. How many artists would take a tangent into soul music? The Young Americans album is such a departure from his prior album, Diamond Dogs, and set the table for arguably his greatest album, Station to Station. What I really admire about Bowie is his willingness to take artistic chances and not mine the same territory over and over.
@@cirenosnor5768 Ziggy is a great album. The bigger point I was trying to make is that Bowie didn't stay in one place too long and took enormous risks.
"Theatrical guy" is so true. Understand why every song isn't A+ for everyone but Bowie had that blissfully short tolerance for formulas that the next song was always a clean slate. Not just a musician but a true creative. "Life on Mars", "Modern Love", "Heroes" and the very cool collab with Queen "Under Pressure". And since it's coming up on Christmas, I'll throw in his duet with Bing Crosby "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth"
Bowie is very complex, often requiring multiple listenings to get it all in any particular track. And his songs are really album-oriented, with excellent placement flow, from one song to the next. Try a great one from the spectacular Station to Station album, "TVC15" and then hear it in context of the whole album, and you might come to appreciate more.
This is an S TIER SONG ! ! but there is alot to unpack. You guys are notorious for only investigating lyrics once in a while and you have alot of things go over your head. Alot of topical time capsule stuff here.
This is a song that you listen to, not one you really sing along with, although it has the "sing a long" feel to it, so maybe that's what you guys are feeling. Some of Bowie's other songs, like Fame, Golden Years, China Girl, etc are more catchy in the "you can sing along" area. Young Americans isn't a song I listen to a lot, but when it comes on the radio I turn it up!
FAME is a must- agreed w your general critique. Although, I guess It could be argued that artist like Bowie, Prince, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, EVH, Hendrix, Micheal Jackson, Led Zep, The Beatles- the true artist/ innovators who ushered in change to the entire music world of all genres are beyond criticism. That being said- keep on doing it guys! Love it!
It’s been said before…can’t imagine intentionally listening to a track without the context of the whole album. A very twisted way to experience music that was often crafted to be heard in a specific order from start to finish.
I guess the challenge you guys face is you never get a chance to let songs seep into your consciousness. Immediate judgements pretty much don’t give you an idea of a song’s significance … especially when you hear it layer constantly on the radio. Fame was co-written with John Lennon. I recommend Ziggy Stardust from his glam rock days
It is no wonder you both felt there was something "off" about the song. David Bowie described this album as "Plastic Soul", that is Soul that is performed with an affectation (which is the essential element of his various personas throughout his career). And yet, while "affected", he was almost always able to create something that was respectful of the genre, and one gets the impression he really did his homework, and that he actually appreciated whatever genre he explored. I tend to think that his last few albums were less affected and more real David Bowie, using what he learned from his earlier career to shape his own more personal style. It is as if he became less afraid to express what he felt, rather than hide behind a given persona. Anyway, thoroughly enjoyed the reaction!
@@nancyheilman876 🙂Egad! I've been found out! (I'm impressed you know what OSB means. 🙂) What can I say? God is glorified by human artistry. Artists like David Bowie elevate our lives through their art.
Underrated album with some good tracks, the weakest being the cover of the Beatles' "Across The Universe". Give the rest a try, and then please, please try Station To Station (title track, "Golden Years" "Stay" and "Wild Is The Wind" are quality). Keep going guys! Love your channel.
It seems to be a tribute to "young Americans" considering Bowie was British If you notice, one of the lines in this song, was ",I heard the news today, oh boy!" That was taken as a nod, to a Beatles song! (You got it!) RIP David Bowie!
This album was a transition from the “glam rock” to R&B. The album is influenced by the “Philadelphia sound” and was particularly recorded in Philly. Also part of the album features John Lennon in NYC co -wrote and recorded Fame and a cover of John’s song Across the Universe.
The most blaring difference is his lower vocal register & almost scatting-like delivery... some really great musicians on this one! A pit stop to the better of this phase, Station To Station, & then on to Berlin...
Bowie was/is amazingly diverse in the kind of music he made. It's all good but I personally prefer glammed up early/mid 70s Bowie like on Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Diamond Dogs and Aladdin Sane. Rebel Rebel, Diamond Dogs, Rock and Roll Suicide, Starman or Ziggy would all be great choices, among many others.
I've listened to this song 1000 times and still love it. It's funny that the things you guys weren't totally comfortable with are exactly what make it timeless for me. As far as the Billy Joel comparison goes, this song doesn't sound like him, if anything it's the other way around. Billy Joel's sound evolved into something that sounded like this song about one year later. That said, check out some more Billy Joel!
This was Bowie's Philadelphia soul styled album from '75. Fame and young americans were the big hits off this album but you should check out the deep cuts fascination and win, which are both smooth as silk!
'Fame' is such straight funk fire, that the inventor of that form of music stole it and made up his own lyrics with 'Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved). James Brown never stole funk from anyone, other than in this case.
Yes. This song deserves a lyric dive. And these boys need to learn how to appreciate rhythm more. I don't know that I have ever heard them refer to a song's groove. Do they know how to dance? 😂
You'll hear sax frequently with Bowie. It was the first instrument he learned to play properly, when he was young, and he remained in love with the sound. Of course he quickly became a multi instrumentalist, including guitar and keyboards but the sax always retained a soft spot in his heart. :)
I consider David Bowie as a true musical artist. He was never shy about experimenting with his craft. Some of his stuff is just too "far out" there for my taste but this track is very nice. He was an extremely gifted artist.
For Christmas you really really need to do David Bowie and Bing Crosby doing a duet of Little Drummer Boy for a TV Christmas special, it’s fantastic classic!
This also took me some time to groove to, but now I can listen to it on repeat for 30-40 minutes driving down the highway. That sax is so hot it makes the miles melt.
What makes this significant is his impecabble song craftsmanship, regardless of the genre it came from. There's a great breakdown by one of the background singers about this song in "Five Years", an amazing documentary about Bowie that I recommend you watch for your Patreon. Also, one of the background singers is a young Luther Vandross!
Bowie always switched it up musically and within himself. Ziggy Stardust , the Thin White Duke, etc, was each a characterization of him that showcased a piece of who he was.
After playing this hundreds, probably thousands of times over my life, I couldn't IMAGINE how hearing this for the first time would be. It's both really weird and fun to see someone else experience that.
I'm a Bowie fan from way back but when this came out I had the same feeling as Alex and Andy because I was also a lover of soul and it didn't feel authentic. Over the years I revisited it a few times and finally got it because I'd got used to the metamorphoses and realised it wasn't meant to be. By then I was obsessed with the sax on the album so I went out and bought David Sanborn's latest album which was Hideaway at the time. I've since bought all his albums and it's still my favourite except it's now in a tie with Timeagain. But he did also turn me onto alto sax where I'd previously been hooked on tenor and soprano via Coltrane and Pharoah. And from there into a different genre of jazz. So Young Americans ultimately had a fairly big impact on my listening choices.
You realize he's making fun of the Young American male and his impotence. It took him minutes, it took her nowhere. Lyrics are always what you focus on with Bowie. The music, while important and many times groundbreaking, is secondary to the lyrics. This then expands to America's impotence in the mid 1970s.
But She was the young American, while he says 'YOUR President Nixon'. I've always heard this as a man (The Thin White Duke) questioning "Am I still young?" and asking the girl 'don't you think about your bills and responsibilities, do you think about anything past this moment?" I think it's more personal than any group. Anyway, it's art, all interpretations are relevant.
@@scottboswell6406 "your president Nixon" is the narrator of the song speaking,not the young American. You always have to separate the author, the narrator, and the character from one another in any story.
@@scottboswell6406 In the beginning he's telling a story in the third person, referring to the characters as he and she, him and her so he's talking *to* the audience including when he says your President Nixon and the bills you have to pay (from what went down in your history). And of course the audience he is targeting are Americans specifically. Only after that, still talking to the audience, does he change to I and you. He and she are no longer mentioned.
You guys want to be really freaked out by Bowie? Try “Blackstar” from the album of the same name, recorded while he was ill and released just days after he died. Another late period track you should check out is “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” from the previous album “The Next Day”.
In case you haven't looked up the liner notes - the sax on this was peformed by up & coming jazz man David Sanborn, while backing vocals were provided by Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, & a young up & coming Luther Vandross.
Love this album! Great songs on it, start to finish, even his cover of Lennon's Across The Universe. Great phase in his career too. So Philly, such a cool groove. From this I went straight to loving his Berlin albums. A really cool shift, so much fun. There's actually nothing I don't love about his entire body of work. #BowieForever
Luther Vandross was one of the background vocalists and David Sanborn was on the sax! In the early ‘80s, Bowie‘s album “Let’s Dance” featured Stevie Ray Vaughan on lead guitar. Check out the title track and “Modern Love.” Bowie never stayed in the same lane musically. Everything he did was groundbreaking.
Luther Vandross also arranged the background vocals for the entire album. This album was also one of the first to feature the hot sax sound that was a staple of the 80's.
@@jtok3459 thank you for mentioning this! Luther was truly one of the greatest!
I love Modern Love.
Let's face it, there's not one Bowie song I dislike.
@@badkitty4922 I’m in total agreement with you. His entire catalog is amazing.
Here's a clip of Bowie playing this on Dick Cavetts old show with a very young Luthor singing backup. czcams.com/video/ydLcs4VrjZQ/video.html
"Golden Years," "Ashes to Ashes," "Queen Bitch," "Fame," and "Panic in Detroit" are all great Bowie songs worth a listen.
I always go straight to "Ashes to Ashes"
Yes - and "Stay".
Queen B*tch is so great. As it’s on an album with Life on Mars? and changes I feel that it’s somewhat overshadowed by them but a great song nonetheless
They’ve done “Ashes to Ashes” already. Great song though! My vote goes to “Stay”.
@@erikberg5363 oh cool, checking it out now, thanks!
Bowie changed pretty much every single album he is such an unbelievable talented artist
Chuh-chuh-chuh-changes...
Was
A total blam blam chameleon.
Bowie had great taste and appreciated the more experimental elements of music and art. He was never a thief, but he was always aware of the cutting-edge and non-commercial music made throughout Europe. He was a theatre performer, which is why I believe it was easy for him to transform into these different characters like Ziggy Stardust, Halloween Jack, and the Thin White Duke. The theatricality never left him.
Bowie's America trilogy - Young Americans, This is not America, I'm Afraid of Americans. Fair to say this is the most optimistic of the 3 by a lot. Such a great groove and Luther Vandross on background vocals i think? Makes me smile every time.....
Yes, it is Luther Vandross!
A good album to try would be Station to Station.
I like his 2 other America songs more than this one
I’ve listened to those last two songs a hella lot in the last few years.
Yes, Luther is one of the singers singing background vocals 👏🏻
"Fame" continues the groove found on this song. This whole album has a jazz, funk feel. On another note, I would check out "Golden Years" for what I think are his best vocals and best groove.
This is my recommendation exactly. "Fame" and "Golden Years".
@Jfieri1 And "Stay" has a definite groove.
If I had to choose only three Bowie 45s to take to a deserter island, I’d pick Fame, Life on Mars, and a second copy of Fame for when the first one wears out. And I’m very fond of a dozen other Bowie songs.
Plus, John Lennon backing vocals
@@jamesdwithrow Ah, a fellow funk aficionado...
5 million sax players all over the world have tried to copy David Sanborns sound on this song. It's as unmistakable as a human voice. Legendary in every possible way. You guys should check out some Sanborn here on your channel.
"Upfront" is my favorite Sanborn album.
He sounded great on Ian Hunter's All American Alien Boy too. A definite "sound" as distinct as Gilmour's guitar.
It really is the birth of the hot sax sound that was a staple of the 80's.
Bowie always had the best musicians. He found out what they did well and let them do their thing.
@SteelyDaddy59 I'd that one and "Straight From The Heart" which is a live album recorded in a television studio. That live extended version of "Smile" from "Hideaway" is phenomenal. Both him and the late Hiram Bullock give great performances.
Bowie “I’M AFRAID OF AMERICANS” IS GUARANTEED BANGER
EXCELLENT song in an otherwise grating cd of gnarly music......mho. lol.
The inherent issue here is... the album version, or the NIN V1 Mix? 🤔🤨
My fave Bowie song is "Changes" -- it's candy to my ears!!
Now THIS is one damn song that can make me break down and cry.
He has been a fav of mine for most of my 65 yrs
Any song with the lyrics “slinky vagabond” is automatically genius.
The way Bowie hits the piano on this track and his vocal performance just sends it through the top! Another good one that I've always felt couples with this track is his song golden years.
The great Mike Garson on piano.
@@triscat Cool, never knew that.
That's funny, in my mind I always paired this one with Golden Years
@@kenjohnston1257 I think I figured it out, aside from sounding similar, most albums that feature both songs the songs are fairly close to each other in chronological album placement. Notably his greatest Hits albums over the decades.
Bowie is NOT a "listen-to-it-once-and-you-get-it" kind of artist. This isn't my favorite iteration of Bowie, either. You kind of have to live with him a while before his music truly infiltrates you. That's been my experience, anyway. So much of his career is amazing. Just as fascinating is what misses.
I totally agree. After decades of sporadic dabbling, I went on a Bowie deep binge during the pandemic. Reminded me of what I knew before: every album has a hit or two, a few albums are epic, but the guy was relentlessly changing and exploring. And I REALLY respect that!
But this is one of my least favorite Bowie albums. There are some really bad songs on here, though "Young Americans" is ok. These guys are too nice. I'd give it a B-, only for well made. But I really don't find it very deep.
Well said
Absolutely. Bowie can be an acquired taste at times.
Agree. I love Bowie. His B work is better than a lot of others’ best efforts. But this, Let’s Dance, a few others, listenable, but just not on my huge list of Bowie favorites.
Yes! Well put. Great song, but not my favourite, either. I still never skip it when it's on!
David Bowie..the highly intelligent man who explored and discovered every man within himself
So well said
Yes! Well said, indeed!
Including Mick Jagger!!! 😏🤣
@@chrismeadows4216 😮🤣😂
One of the whole thing about Bowie is that he is transformative as well as innovative. His "sound" constantly mutates as he explores different musical directions. A genius, like Todd Rundgren.
Love me some Todd Rundgren
Sound and Vision is a SERIOUS earworm. I only said the title of the song here and now I'll be singing it all damn day!
Some plastic soul for my Monday morning. I'm a lifelong Bowie fan. Thanks guys! More please!
🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Without knowing the phrase, but just knowing about Bowie, they almost get it. It's plastic soul, fakery and showmanship, not true blue-eyed soul. Even though it incorporates more soulful rhythm & blues like Luther Vandross around the edges.
Love this song. The way the lyrics and his vocals are delivered in a way that enhances the rhythm. Especially the way he ramps it up towards the end. Curious to see what y'all think of it.
This is totally one of Bowies greatest vocal performances. Great lyrics sung in a way that serves the feel of the song to a T. Here is a cool cover that really highlights the great lyrics czcams.com/video/dGi-GCfA45Q/video.html.
@@jtok3459 I love that version. Thx for sharing it. Great lyrics. These dudes should check the lyrics more often. And they need to learn how to appreciate a groove.
You're right, the rhythm he puts into his voice here is incredible, it's almost percussive like a piano. The last verse when he's on a roll wrapping up all the tragedy is masterful. This isn't even one of my favorites and it's still jaw-dropping 😂
Check out the song "When You Come Back To Me" by World Party. That song will immediately remind you of this one. It's on the "Reality Bites" soundtrack. Maybe Ben Stiller couldn't get clearance for "Young Americans," so he commissioned this song.
Your recent poll asked for an r&b-type entry for the 60s and 70s, this could be one of them. 'Fame' is so funky it got played on 'urban' radio and got Bowie on Soul Train!!
This is actually my favorite Bowie song.
Can't remember the Bowie tunes you've done, but know you haven't done Golden Years. So funky!
Or "Fame," which is literally extremely funky, with actual funk musicians on it.
Golden years is brilliant!... I love his performance on the Soul Train, its on YT :-)
Maybe my favorite song or of the newer songs by Bowie.
Speaking of Davie Bowie being consistently different, I'm reminded of when he made a comeback in the 80s after not recording for a while. A guy on the radio made the comment, "It goes to show you can't keep a strange man down."
I think the big difference between feeling neutral about this tune and loving it is that it was meant as a dance song. If you heard this in a disco in 1974, you'd grab the nearest hand and race to the dance floor to get your groove on. Some songs (Led Zep's "Black Dog," for example) are great to listen to while driving along an open highway... but some are meant for the dance floor. This was Bowie turning from Ziggy Stardust to Philly Soul, which he called "plastic soul," because... well, he wasn't black.
You gotta rock his jam Rebel Rebel...it rocks pretty good.....and Let's Dance. Great Bowie tunes!
Peace from PA✌
Ooh, I almost forgot Rebel, Rebel when thinking through his catalogue. Good call.
This came out near the end of my freshman year in college What one strikes me in looking at the songs that were top hits in 1975, '76... is that each was a facet of the diamond that music of the 70's was. We had this, EWF, the Eagles, The O'Jays, Donna Summer, America, Springsteen and the list keeps on going. A diversity of sound and creativity where each made the other sparkle. Truly a rich, treasure chest of music.
I read the news today was his thanks to Lennon who just did Fame with him. MODERN LOVE is where you wanna go next.
David Bowie did play saxophone but on the studio recording he handed off the job to David Sanborn, a well know sax player. I have seen Bowie playing sax in live shows on occasion. This is a very cool song, the production is so good. This is always on my personal playlist for exercise because it just has a happy vibe about it. Bowie's voice was so unique and diverse. Thank you for this reaction. This has to at least be an "A"
David Sanborn is a legend. He suffered from polio for 8 years and picked up the sax on the advice of his doctor to help him with this breathing. Sanborn is one of the more influential people in blues, jazz, pop and rock. Used to love his late night show he co-hosted "Night Music" and his radio program "The Jazz Show with David Sanborn."
I saw Bowie play Sax on I think the Scary Monsters and Super Freaks Tour? I was very impressed. He 🚶♀️out on a stage extension that went into the crowd, under the spotlight and just went for an Epic Sax Solo. 😳👏
@@mrnobody3161 What an incredible talent!
@@mrnobody3161 Ronnie Ross who played the Saxophone on Lou Reed's 'Walk On The Wild Side' was David Bowie's Saxophone teacher.
@@mrnobody3161 it was probably the Serious Moonlight Tour. Bowie had cancelled the Scary Monsters Tour before it had started, on account of John Lennon being shot a few blocks away from Broadway, where he'd been doing The Elephant Man.
GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!!!
☮️❤️♾️
Good Morning, @John H!
Hey, this not a test. This is rock ‘n’ roll.
Saxophone: David Sanborn
Background Singer: Luther Vandross
I feel his semi-winded vocal performance on this song actually adds to its intensity and message.
Myself, I Love his glam rock phase as Ziggy Stardust, his band in those days were the Spiders From Mars with the legendary Mick Ronson on lead guitar. They produced several albums with many of his real Rocking Songs like Ziggy Stardust, Moonage Daydream, Width of a Circle, Gene Jenie and Panic in Detroit. Please don't forget this period as you explore his more popular songs. Enjoy! ♩
Oooooohhh, Width of a Circle!
@@mikenichols3965 That song is Epic and utterly FIRE Live! ☉ For me I love Bowie with the Spiders From Mars, his time with Stevie Ray Vaughn and then Robert Fripp. He was at this rocking best with any of the above. Rock On! 🎸
HUGE dance hit for Bowie. Heavy soul and R & B influences. All about the groove and the move. Very much a song of the era. I can see how not being around then, and particularly not being a fan of that dance culture, how it wouldn't be something you'd necessarily appreciate so much. But you can bet many an 'old fogey' here was shaking their booties.
My favorite Bowie song. As usual, it takes an outsider to give a really cogent critique. In this case, you have a Brit presenting a typically American bright, glitzy, jazz-pop wrapper covering the *very* typical American self-destructive feelings of pathological lust for youth, moral vacancy, perpetual (and perpetually unfulfilled) quest for meaning, vacuity masquerading as profundity, isolation, and finally an achingly lonely despair. Like most Bowie songs of this era, it's a deeply ambivalent track that requires repeated listening, reading of the lyrics, and thought to plumb out its depths. I think the feeling of "something's not jibing" that you guys had is precisely what it was going for, and figuring out just why it isn't jibing is what the song is inviting you to do.
Exactly.
I don't disagree with what you said, but you have to admit Britain has or is rapidly becoming an Orwellian nightmare. My point is modern life has created vacuous people all over the world.
@@armadillotoe I don't have any first-hand experience with the UK so I can't comment with any certainty, but from a distance your comments seem to be spot-on. I'm sure Bowie could have written a similar song about the UK had he chosen to, or indeed any other of a number of Western countries. In this track he focused on the USA and made USA-specific observations, particularly about our fetishization of youth, being young, staying young, etc. -- he/she/they/I/you want the young Americans. Also typically American is the jazz-pop presentation, which sounds bright and happy and pretty but covers over agonizing realities that we'd all rather ignore.
Spot on analysis.
It makes me think American Exceptionalism; isn't and the young ARE the Future.
This song is iconic 70’s feel. Bowie came to Philly for that groove and combined it with his biting lyrics about the US as an English artist. Issa whole vibe…
I was a 16 year old Bowie fan when this was released in 1975. It was a shock to us glam rock fans. Needless to say within 24 hours we were all soul boys! Blue eyed soul, or as Bowie called it, plastic soul. Check out the live performance on the Dick Cavett show and check out Fame (funk) from the same album, and Golden Years (funk) and Stay (rock/funk hybrid, the guitar work is insane) from the follow up album Station to Station.
You get to hear the great but unknown (at the time) Luther Vandross singing background vocals.
This is Philly Soul, perfectly executed. I love all his stuff, but to me this is one of Bowie's most re-listenable songs. I never skip it when it comes up on shuffle. Some listeners question the song's "authenticity," but what I hear is a wonderful song, with an absolutely ear-wormy groove, an iconic sax part, and great vocals all-around. I'm always up for taking a ride on that beat.
I would suggest the song 'Station to Station' from the album of the same name. Either that or something from 'Low' from the beginning of his Berlin trilogy.
Quite the Chameleon...he was ever changing. 👏❤️🎤🎧
Simply well said
Hit #18 in UK, #28 in US, deserved better. "Fame" next
David Bowie is THE artist, my favorite one. So versatile, way in advance on his time. I have all he's albums and saw him 2 times in concert. RIP to this great legendary artist. By the way, this is he's first album to have success in the US, even if the previous ones are among the best ever.
agree 100%...i saw him the same night i heard my mom was in hospital and might not make it. i snuck down to the ninth row, and when he did heroes, i cried for my mom and screamed the words at the top of my lungs. it was very cathartic and i felt hope...my mom did come through and lived another 3 years. the weirdest thing about the show was, bowie wasn't the headliner, moby was. very strange. needless to say the crowd bailed after bowie. ha ha.
The never competitive Bowie continually recognized upcoming artists and talents, made a habit of working with or at least promoting many a rising talent. Invited a young Carlos Alomar to play on his album this time around.
He produced an Iggy Pop album, didn't he? And he picked Stevie Ray Vaughn to play on Let's Dance before SRV was a star. Gave a hit to Mott the Hoople when they were in danger of going under as well. There must be a ton more of these stories.
Him and Prince are two artists that listened to and championed a ton of rising artists.
@@normanleroy1874 Exactly Norman. He really did a lot to boost Iggy's career. He either produced their records or invited them to either play on his records or had them open for him on tour. Also placed faith in Nile Rodgers for producing and playing rhythm guitar on "Let's Dance". Nile became the producer to define 80's pop, thanks to Bowie loving his work with Chic. I also loved the praise he gave to the Pixies.
@@normanleroy1874 He also produced Lou Reed's Transformer album and gave Reed's career a real boost when he needed it.
Not to mention he supported Marc Bolan's son after Marc's death. Truly an amazing human.
Bowie said, “I wanted so badly to be a great Philadelphia-style soul singer, but I was a white English guy from south London.”
Not my favorite David Bowie song but he's got huge balls to even attempt something like this. How many artists would take a tangent into soul music? The Young Americans album is such a departure from his prior album, Diamond Dogs, and set the table for arguably his greatest album, Station to Station. What I really admire about Bowie is his willingness to take artistic chances and not mine the same territory over and over.
Dean Johnson - Don’t think I’ve ever heard a one say Station To Station is arguably his best. Seems Ziggy is a better argument
@@cirenosnor5768 Ziggy is a great album. The bigger point I was trying to make is that Bowie didn't stay in one place too long and took enormous risks.
Station to Station is definitely my favorite Bowie album by a long way, although I would say Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory & Low are better albums.
"Theatrical guy" is so true. Understand why every song isn't A+ for everyone but Bowie had that blissfully short tolerance for formulas that the next song was always a clean slate. Not just a musician but a true creative. "Life on Mars", "Modern Love", "Heroes" and the very cool collab with Queen "Under Pressure".
And since it's coming up on Christmas, I'll throw in his duet with Bing Crosby "Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth"
Blissfully short tolerance for formulas. Yes! He was never satisfied to cover the same ground twice.
Bowie is very complex, often requiring multiple listenings to get it all in any particular track. And his songs are really album-oriented, with excellent placement flow, from one song to the next. Try a great one from the spectacular Station to Station album, "TVC15" and then hear it in context of the whole album, and you might come to appreciate more.
TVC15: A song about the TV that ate his girlfriend! Gotta love the 70's, man! lol
And Wild is the Wind, and Word on a Wing.
This is an S TIER SONG ! ! but there is alot to unpack. You guys are notorious for only investigating lyrics once in a while and you have alot of things go over your head. Alot of topical time capsule stuff here.
“Is There Life on Mars” would be an excellent next Bowie tune to hit that I don’t think you two have covered.
Or Changes
This is a song that you listen to, not one you really sing along with, although it has the "sing a long" feel to it, so maybe that's what you guys are feeling.
Some of Bowie's other songs, like Fame, Golden Years, China Girl, etc are more catchy in the "you can sing along" area. Young Americans isn't a song I listen to a lot, but when it comes on the radio I turn it up!
Rebel Rebel next. A true Bowie banger!
"Win" and "Right" are the class tracks on this album.
Love Win and Right!
FAME is a must- agreed w your general critique. Although, I guess It could be argued that artist like Bowie, Prince, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, EVH, Hendrix, Micheal Jackson, Led Zep, The Beatles- the true artist/ innovators who ushered in change to the entire music world of all genres are beyond criticism. That being said- keep on doing it guys! Love it!
"Changes." As with Space Oddity, for many the Bowie journey began with Changes.
Yes Bowie...... Ziggy next guys please
HELL YEAH!!!!!
It’s been said before…can’t imagine intentionally listening to a track without the context of the whole album. A very twisted way to experience music that was often crafted to be heard in a specific order from start to finish.
I guess the challenge you guys face is you never get a chance to let songs seep into your consciousness. Immediate judgements pretty much don’t give you an idea of a song’s significance … especially when you hear it layer constantly on the radio. Fame was co-written with John Lennon. I recommend Ziggy Stardust from his glam rock days
It is no wonder you both felt there was something "off" about the song. David Bowie described this album as "Plastic Soul", that is Soul that is performed with an affectation (which is the essential element of his various personas throughout his career). And yet, while "affected", he was almost always able to create something that was respectful of the genre, and one gets the impression he really did his homework, and that he actually appreciated whatever genre he explored. I tend to think that his last few albums were less affected and more real David Bowie, using what he learned from his earlier career to shape his own more personal style. It is as if he became less afraid to express what he felt, rather than hide behind a given persona. Anyway, thoroughly enjoyed the reaction!
Can't tell you how much I love that a Benedictine Bowie fan exists in the world.
@@nancyheilman876 🙂Egad! I've been found out! (I'm impressed you know what OSB means. 🙂) What can I say? God is glorified by human artistry. Artists like David Bowie elevate our lives through their art.
Underrated album with some good tracks, the weakest being the cover of the Beatles' "Across The Universe". Give the rest a try, and then please, please try Station To Station (title track, "Golden Years" "Stay" and "Wild Is The Wind" are quality). Keep going guys! Love your channel.
You need to be the first big reactors to hit Life on Mars, at least on CZcams.
Agreed. It is Bowie at his finest.
Yes!
This is Bowie's take on the Gamble and Huff Philadelphia Soul Sound of the 70s; he called it "Plastic Soul." He pretty well nailed it.
This song will grow on you because it's one of the best rock songs to dance to.
I love Bowie. If you want a full picture of his talent you should watch the"Labyrinth". Singing, dancing acting. The whole package.
It seems to be a tribute to "young Americans" considering Bowie was British
If you notice, one of the lines in this song, was ",I heard the news today, oh boy!" That was taken as a nod, to a Beatles song! (You got it!) RIP David Bowie!
The one line about Soul Train. You guys need to watch clips from that show. Dancing is amazing.
It’s a soul album and I as a huge Bowie fan loved it.
Even Bowie called it "Plastic Soul" as in it's a white man's version of soul, not quite the real thing.
It's a GROWER, gentlemen! You'll be back to listen to it again. I promise!
This album was a transition from the “glam rock” to R&B. The album is influenced by the “Philadelphia sound” and was particularly recorded in Philly.
Also part of the album features John Lennon in NYC co -wrote and recorded Fame and a cover of John’s song Across the Universe.
The most blaring difference is his lower vocal register & almost scatting-like delivery... some really great musicians on this one! A pit stop to the better of this phase, Station To Station, & then on to Berlin...
Bowie was/is amazingly diverse in the kind of music he made. It's all good but I personally prefer glammed up early/mid 70s Bowie like on Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Diamond Dogs and Aladdin Sane. Rebel Rebel, Diamond Dogs, Rock and Roll Suicide, Starman or Ziggy would all be great choices, among many others.
Over time this became my favourite Bowie song alongside Station To Station. Amazing vocals, gorgeous sax, scathing lyrics. Just so much fun
I seen Bowie on his "Golden Years" tour. I highly reccomend that song, if you haven't reacted to it yet.
My favorite Bowie song.
Yes, please.
Good afternoon Lisa!!!
I've listened to this song 1000 times and still love it. It's funny that the things you guys weren't totally comfortable with are exactly what make it timeless for me. As far as the Billy Joel comparison goes, this song doesn't sound like him, if anything it's the other way around. Billy Joel's sound evolved into something that sounded like this song about one year later. That said, check out some more Billy Joel!
No lyric check? That is actually the strength of this song. The lyrics are thoughtful.
Wow I'm really shocked you guys, really surprised me on this one. I thought both of you would love this and give an A+ or S-tier.
Great choice. Easily his funkiest song with exceptional lyrics and vocal arrangement. Can't stop moving to it! Thanks for this men!
I’d say “Fame” is funkier than this one.
I think the song “Cat People (Putting out Fire)” will be an S-Tier for you guys.
This was Bowie's Philadelphia soul styled album from '75. Fame and young americans were the big hits off this album but you should check out the deep cuts fascination and win, which are both smooth as silk!
'Fame' is such straight funk fire, that the inventor of that form of music stole it and made up his own lyrics with 'Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved, Loved). James Brown never stole funk from anyone, other than in this case.
I dare you to listen to "Station to Station", the version from his 1978 live album "Stage", you will most possibly freak out, that's how good it is.
Oof a B+ for Bowie!? You're really sleeping on lyrical analysis in general, but it's especially vital with Bowie.
Yes. This song deserves a lyric dive. And these boys need to learn how to appreciate rhythm more. I don't know that I have ever heard them refer to a song's groove. Do they know how to dance? 😂
Definitely one of my favorite Bowie songs. I'd recommend Starman and Life on Mars next.
You'll hear sax frequently with Bowie. It was the first instrument he learned to play properly, when he was young, and he remained in love with the sound. Of course he quickly became a multi instrumentalist, including guitar and keyboards but the sax always retained a soft spot in his heart. :)
You were not that into the soul vibe. This song grew on me for a couple decades. This album is a masterpiece
"Fame" is my favorite Bowie song, followed by this one.
I consider David Bowie as a true musical artist. He was never shy about experimenting with his craft. Some of his stuff is just too "far out" there for my taste but this track is very nice. He was an extremely gifted artist.
For Christmas you really really need to do David Bowie and Bing Crosby doing a duet of Little Drummer Boy for a TV Christmas special, it’s fantastic classic!
This was an instantly A+ for me, then and now
Was fortunate enough to see Bowie in 1983. A musical treasure. RIP
This also took me some time to groove to, but now I can listen to it on repeat for 30-40 minutes driving down the highway. That sax is so hot it makes the miles melt.
What makes this significant is his impecabble song craftsmanship, regardless of the genre it came from. There's a great breakdown by one of the background singers about this song in "Five Years", an amazing documentary about Bowie that I recommend you watch for your Patreon. Also, one of the background singers is a young Luther Vandross!
Yes! Thank you!
More Bowie, please. I’ve been a big fan since my college days. (70s)
This is art. You will love it in your Golden Years.
Bowie always switched it up musically and within himself. Ziggy Stardust , the Thin White Duke, etc, was each a characterization of him that showcased a piece of who he was.
After playing this hundreds, probably thousands of times over my life, I couldn't IMAGINE how hearing this for the first time would be. It's both really weird and fun to see someone else experience that.
Pretty much anything off the Bowie Legacy compilation is phenomenal. ~Be Blessed
I'm a Bowie fan from way back but when this came out I had the same feeling as Alex and Andy because I was also a lover of soul and it didn't feel authentic. Over the years I revisited it a few times and finally got it because I'd got used to the metamorphoses and realised it wasn't meant to be. By then I was obsessed with the sax on the album so I went out and bought David Sanborn's latest album which was Hideaway at the time. I've since bought all his albums and it's still my favourite except it's now in a tie with Timeagain. But he did also turn me onto alto sax where I'd previously been hooked on tenor and soprano via Coltrane and Pharoah. And from there into a different genre of jazz. So Young Americans ultimately had a fairly big impact on my listening choices.
You realize he's making fun of the Young American male and his impotence. It took him minutes, it took her nowhere. Lyrics are always what you focus on with Bowie. The music, while important and many times groundbreaking, is secondary to the lyrics. This then expands to America's impotence in the mid 1970s.
Excellent insights.
But She was the young American, while he says 'YOUR President Nixon'. I've always heard this as a man (The Thin White Duke) questioning "Am I still young?" and asking the girl 'don't you think about your bills and responsibilities, do you think about anything past this moment?" I think it's more personal than any group. Anyway, it's art, all interpretations are relevant.
@@scottboswell6406 "your president Nixon" is the narrator of the song speaking,not the young American. You always have to separate the author, the narrator, and the character from one another in any story.
@@scottboswell6406 In the beginning he's telling a story in the third person, referring to the characters as he and she, him and her so he's talking *to* the audience including when he says your President Nixon and the bills you have to pay (from what went down in your history). And of course the audience he is targeting are Americans specifically. Only after that, still talking to the audience, does he change to I and you. He and she are no longer mentioned.
He's not so much making fun of Americans as noting the disillusionment of Americans in the 70s in the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate.
Lou Reed: Rock and roll animal. Last track of one of the greatest live albums ever made, REALLY!
You guys want to be really freaked out by Bowie? Try “Blackstar” from the album of the same name, recorded while he was ill and released just days after he died. Another late period track you should check out is “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” from the previous album “The Next Day”.
In case you haven't looked up the liner notes - the sax on this was peformed by up & coming jazz man David Sanborn, while backing vocals were provided by Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, & a young up & coming Luther Vandross.
Love this album! Great songs on it, start to finish, even his cover of Lennon's Across The Universe. Great phase in his career too. So Philly, such a cool groove. From this I went straight to loving his Berlin albums. A really cool shift, so much fun. There's actually nothing I don't love about his entire body of work. #BowieForever