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{{short description|Song by David Bowie}}
{{short description|Song by David Bowie}}
{{For|the Residente song|This Is Not America (Residente song)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
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| alt =
| alt =
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[David Bowie]] and [[Pat Metheny Group]]
| artist = [[David Bowie]] and the [[Pat Metheny Group]]
| album = [[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]
| album = [[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]
| B-side = "This Is Not America" (instrumental)
| B-side = "This Is Not America" (instrumental)
| released = 28 January 1985 (UK)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1985/Music-Week-1985-01-26-I.pdf|title=Music Week|page=58}}</ref>
| released = February 1985
| recorded = c. September–October 1984
| recorded = {{circa}} September–October 1984
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=51}}
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=51}}
Line 25: Line 25:
| next_year = 1985
| next_year = 1985
}}
}}
"'''This Is Not America'''" is a song by English singer [[David Bowie]] and American [[jazz fusion]] band [[Pat Metheny Group]], taken from the [[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|soundtrack]] to the 1985 film ''[[The Falcon and the Snowman]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Parsons |first=Tony |title=Singles |magazine=[[NME]] |date=2 February 1985 |page=14 |issn=0028-6362}}</ref> It was released as a single in February 1985, reaching number 14 in the United Kingdom and number 32 in the United States.
"'''This Is Not America'''" is a song by English singer [[David Bowie]] and American [[jazz fusion]] band the [[Pat Metheny Group]], taken from the [[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|soundtrack]] to the 1985 film ''[[The Falcon and the Snowman]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Parsons |first=Tony |title=Singles |magazine=[[NME]] |date=2 February 1985 |page=14 |issn=0028-6362}}</ref> It was released as a single in February 1985, reaching number 14 in the United Kingdom and number 32 in the United States.


==Background and recording==
==Background and recording==
Having finished his 1984 album ''[[Tonight (David Bowie album)|Tonight]]'' and being dissatisfied with it,{{sfn|Sandford|1997|p=229}} Bowie began a series of soundtrack projects (''[[Labyrinth (1986 soundtrack)|Labyrinth]]'' and ''[[Absolute Beginners (film)#Soundtrack|Absolute Beginners]]'') that included this collaboration with the [[Pat Metheny Group]].{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}}{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} Metheny had written an instrumental piece for the movie called "Chris" and wanted to turn that into a full-length song; "This Is Not America" was the result of their collaboration.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Recorded in late 1984, it was released as a single in early 1985 and on the soundtrack to the movie.{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} Bowie watched an early screening of the movie and took notes on lines and themes that they might use; "This is not America" is a line said by one character to another, and both Bowie and Metheny agreed it was interesting.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Despite Metheny being known as a jazz musician, the song was described by Bowie biographer Chris O'Leary as "hardly a jazz piece", as Metheny plays a simple rhythm guitar throughout the song, with no solos or improvisations.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Metheny later noted that Bowie's lyrics were "profound and meaningful—and absolutely perfect for the film."<ref>{{cite book |last=Metheny |first=Pat |year=2000 |title=Pat Metheny Song Book |publisher=[[Hal Leonard Publishing]] |isbn=0634007963}}</ref>
Having finished his 1984 album ''[[Tonight (David Bowie album)|Tonight]]'' and being dissatisfied with it,{{sfn|Sandford|1997|p=229}} Bowie began a series of soundtrack projects (''[[Labyrinth (1986 soundtrack)|Labyrinth]]'', ''[[Absolute Beginners (film)#Soundtrack|Absolute Beginners]]'' and ''[[When the Wind Blows (1986 film)#Soundtrack|When the Wind Blows]]'', all in 1986) that started with this collaboration with the [[Pat Metheny Group]].{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}}{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} Recorded in late 1984, "This Is Not America" was released as a single in early 1985 and on the soundtrack to the movie.{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} Metheny had written an instrumental piece for the movie called "Chris" and wanted to turn it into a full-length song; "This Is Not America" was the result of their collaboration.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Bowie watched an early screening of ''[[The Falcon and the Snowman]]'' and took notes on lines and themes that they might use; "This is not America" is a line said by one character to another, and both Bowie and Metheny agreed it was interesting.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Despite Metheny being known as a jazz musician, the song was described by Bowie biographer Chris O'Leary as "hardly a jazz piece", as Metheny plays a simple rhythm guitar throughout the song, with no solos or improvisations.{{sfn|O'Leary|2019|pp=214–216}} Metheny later noted that Bowie's lyrics were "profound and meaningful—and absolutely perfect for the film."<ref>{{cite book |last=Metheny |first=Pat |year=2000 |title=Pat Metheny Song Book |publisher=[[Hal Leonard Publishing]] |isbn=0634007963}}</ref>


Bowie does not appear in the corresponding music video for the single, as it was made up entirely of clips from the movie.{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}}
Bowie does not appear in the corresponding music video for the single as it was made up entirely of clips from the movie.{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}}


==Other appearances==
==Other appearances==
The song appeared on ''[[The Singles Collection (David Bowie album)|The Singles Collection]]'' (1993). The 1995 reissue of Bowie's 1984 album ''[[Tonight (David Bowie album)|Tonight]]'' includes "This Is Not America" as a bonus track. "This Is Not America" appears as a B-side to Bowie's 1997 single "[[I Can't Read]]". It was also released on ''[[Best of Bowie]]'' (2002), appearing on all but the Australian and Japanese pressings of that album, ''[[The Platinum Collection (David Bowie album)|The Platinum Collection]]'' (2005), ''[[The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987]]'' (2007), ''[[Nothing Has Changed]]'' (2014; two-disc and three-disc editions), ''[[Bowie Legacy]]'' (2016; two-disc edition), and ''[[Loving the Alien (1983–1988)]]'' (2018; box set).
The song appeared on ''[[The Singles Collection (David Bowie album)|The Singles Collection]]'' (1993). The 1995 reissue of Bowie's 1984 album ''[[Tonight (David Bowie album)|Tonight]]'' includes "This Is Not America" as a bonus track. "This Is Not America" appears as a B-side to Bowie's 1997 single "[[I Can't Read]]". It was also released on ''[[Best of Bowie]]'' (2002), appearing on all but the Australian and Japanese pressings of that album, ''[[The Platinum Collection (David Bowie album)|The Platinum Collection]]'' (2005), ''[[The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987]]'' (2007), ''[[Nothing Has Changed]]'' (2014; two-disc and three-disc editions), ''[[Bowie Legacy]]'' (2016; two-disc edition), and ''[[Loving the Alien (1983–1988)]]'' (2018; box set).


A remix by [[The Scumfrog]] was released on ''[[Club Bowie]]'' (2003), and the song was also performed in Bowie's musical "[[Lazarus (musical)|Lazarus]]" (2016).{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} A [[Lazarus (soundtrack)|cast recording from the musical]], which also included a performance of the song, was released in October 2016.
A remix by [[the Scumfrog]] was released on ''[[Club Bowie]]'' (2003), and the song was also performed in Bowie's musical ''[[Lazarus (musical)|Lazarus]]'' (2016).{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}} A [[Lazarus (soundtrack)|cast recording from the musical]], which also included a performance of the song, was released in October 2016.


==Live versions==
==Live versions==
Pat Metheny Group recorded the song live for the 1995 DVD ''[[We Live Here]]'', with band members replacing Bowie on vocals. Bowie recorded a performance of the song at BBC Radio Theatre in London on 27 June 2000, and it was released on the bonus disc accompanying the first release of ''[[Bowie at the Beeb]]''. Another version featuring [[Anna Maria Jopek]] and Pat Metheny was recorded live in Warsaw in 2002, and is included on the album ''Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny Live in Warsaw 2002''.
The Pat Metheny Group recorded the song live for the 1995 DVD ''[[We Live Here]]'', with band members replacing Bowie on vocals. Bowie recorded a performance of the song at the BBC Radio Theatre in London on 27 June 2000, and it was released on the bonus disc accompanying the first release of ''[[Bowie at the Beeb]]''; a remastered and complete version of that show was re-released in 2021 as part of the Bowie box set ''[[Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001)#BBC Radio Theatre, London, June 27, 2000|Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001)]]''. Another version featuring [[Anna Maria Jopek]] and Pat Metheny was recorded live in Warsaw in 2002 and is included on the album ''Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny Live in Warsaw 2002''.


=="American Dream"==
=="American Dream"==
Bowie performs a variation of "This Is Not America" on the [[P. Diddy]] song "American Dream" for the [[Training Day (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the 2001 film ''[[Training Day]]''. Bowie said "This version's definitely got a menace. ... There's a fast techno flavour to it. It's got an aggression to it that really reflects the movie."{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}}
Bowie performs a variation of "This Is Not America" on the [[P. Diddy]] song "American Dream" for the [[Training Day (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] to the 2001 film ''[[Training Day]]''. Bowie said, "This version's definitely got a menace. ... There's a fast techno flavour to it. It's got an aggression to it that really reflects the movie."{{sfn|Pegg|2016|p=280}}


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
*'''7" and 12" single'''
*'''7-inch and 12-inch single'''
:A. "This Is Not America" – 3:51
:A. "This Is Not America" – 3:51
:B. "This Is Not America" (instrumental) – 3:51
:B. "This Is Not America" (instrumental) – 3:51
Line 51: Line 51:
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''[[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=[[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]] |type=liner notes |others=[[Pat Metheny Group]] |publisher=[[EMI America Records]] |year=1985 |id=SV-17150}}</ref>
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''[[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=[[The Falcon and the Snowman (album)|The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]] |type=liner notes |others=[[Pat Metheny Group]] |publisher=[[EMI America Records]] |year=1985 |id=SV-17150}}</ref>


* [[David Bowie]] – vocals, production, songwriting
* [[David Bowie]] – vocals, songwriting
* [[Pat Metheny]] – production, songwriting
* [[Pat Metheny]] – guitars, production, songwriting
* [[Lyle Mays]] – songwriting
* [[Lyle Mays]] – keyboards, production, songwriting
* [[Steve Rodby]] – bass
* [[Steve Rodby]] – bass
* [[Paul Wertico]] – drums, percussion
* [[Paul Wertico]] – drums, percussion
Line 65: Line 65:
===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1985 weekly chart performance for "This Is Not America"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1985)
! scope="col"| Chart (1985)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |year=1993 |title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] |publisher=Australian Chart Book |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |year=1993 |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| 33
| 33
|-
|-
Line 78: Line 78:
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|23|chartid=0500|rowheader=true|access-date=12 February 2016}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|23|chartid=0500|rowheader=true|access-date=12 February 2016}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Music-and-Media/80s/1985/M&M-1985-03-04.pdf |title=European Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music & Media]] |volume=2 |issue=9 |date=4 March 1985 |page=14 |oclc=29800226 |access-date=6 July 2018 |via=American Radio History}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|European Top 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/85/M&M-1985-03-04-OCR-Page-0006.pdf |title=European Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music & Media|Eurotipsheet]] |volume=2 |issue=9 |date=4 March 1985 |page=14 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 13
| 13
|-
|-
Line 84: Line 84:
| 16
| 16
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Greece ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/85/M&M-1985-04-01-OCR-Page-0018.pdf |title=Top 3 in Europe |magazine=Eurotipsheet |volume=2 |issue=13 |date=1 April 1985 |page=7 |oclc=29800226 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
{{single chart|Germany|5|songid=1234|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
| 3
|-
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|9|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|9|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT79 |title=Hits of the World |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=97 |issue=18 |date=4 May 1985 |page=64 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=6 July 2018 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php |title=Classifiche |work=[[Musica e dischi]] |language=it |access-date=2 June 2022}} ''Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "David Bowie & Pat Metheny" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".''</ref>
| 7
| 3
|-
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|artist=David Bowie|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|artist=David Bowie|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
Line 98: Line 99:
|-
|-
{{single chart|Norway|3|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
{{single chart|Norway|3|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
|-
! scope="row"|Poland ([[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego|LP3]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lp3.pl//alpt.phtml?m=1&xa=1&nn=152|title=Lista Przebojów Programu 3|publisher=[[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego|LP3]]|access-date=14 May 2020|language=pl}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
{{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
Line 110: Line 108:
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|32|artist=David Bowie|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|32|artist=David Bowie|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-bowie-mn0000531986/awards |title=David Bowie {{!}} Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424195348/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-bowie-mn0000531986/awards |archive-date=24 April 2015}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US [[Dance Singles Sales|12-inch Singles Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-dance-singles-sales/1985-03-16/|title=Dance Singles Sales|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=16 March 1985|url-access=subscription|access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>
| 42
| 42
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Top Rock Tracks]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1985-03-02/|title=Mainstream Rock Airplay|magazine=Billboard|date=2 March 1985|url-access=subscription|access-date=24 June 2023}}</ref>
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|7|artist=David Bowie Pat Metheny Group|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
| 7
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|5|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|songid=1234|rowheader=true|access-date=6 July 2018}}
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ 2016 weekly chart performance for "This Is Not America"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Chart (2016)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
|-
{{single chart|France|92|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=28 September 2020}}
{{single chart|France|92|artist=David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group|song=This Is Not America|rowheader=true|access-date=28 September 2020}}
|-
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
Line 128: Line 128:
===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "This Is Not America"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1985)
! scope="col"| Chart (1985)
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
Line 135: Line 135:
| 26
| 26
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1985&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles |website=Ultratop |language=nl |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1985&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles |language=nl |publisher=Ultratop |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 28
| 28
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1985 |title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 1985 |website=Offizielle Deutsche Charts |language=de |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1985 |title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985 |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 24
|-
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1985 |title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985 |website=Dutch Top 40 |language=nl |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 21
| 21
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Poland (LP3)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lp3.pl//alpt.phtml?m=27&pr=1985#ttabl |title=Podsumowanie roku 1985 |website=Archive of Polish Single Chart |language=pl |access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1985&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985 |language=nl |publisher=[[Dutch Charts]] |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1985&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985 |website=dutchcharts.nl |language=nl |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 23
| 23
|-
! scope="row"| West Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1985 |title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 1985 |language=de |publisher=GfK Entertainment |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref>
| 24
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
Line 155: Line 152:
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


===Bibliography===
*{{cite book| last=O'Leary| first=Chris| year=2019| title=Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016| location=London |publisher=Repeater| isbn=978-1912248308 }}
*{{cite book|last=Pegg|first=Nicholas|title=The Complete David Bowie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LqFkDQAAQBAJ|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|location=London|edition=revised and updated|year=2016|isbn=978-1-78565-365-0}}
* {{cite book| last=O'Leary| first=Chris| year=2019| title=Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016| location=London |publisher=Repeater| isbn=978-1912248308 }}
* {{cite book|last=Pegg|first=Nicholas|title=The Complete David Bowie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LqFkDQAAQBAJ|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|location=London|edition=revised and updated|year=2016|isbn=978-1-78565-365-0}}

* {{cite book|last=Sandford|first=Christopher|url=https://archive.org/details/bowielovingalien00sand|title=Bowie: Loving the Alien|location=London|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|year=1997|orig-year=1996|isbn=0-306-80854-4}}
==External links==
* {{MetroLyrics song|david-bowie|this-is-not-america}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{David Bowie singles}}
{{David Bowie singles}}
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[[Category:David Bowie songs]]
[[Category:David Bowie songs]]
[[Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles]]
[[Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles]]
[[Category:EMI Records singles]]
[[Category:EMI America Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by David Bowie]]
[[Category:Songs written by David Bowie]]
[[Category:Songs written for films]]
[[Category:Songs written for films]]
[[Category:Jazz fusion songs]]

Latest revision as of 16:57, 1 October 2024

"This Is Not America"
Single by David Bowie and the Pat Metheny Group
from the album The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-side"This Is Not America" (instrumental)
Released28 January 1985 (UK)[1]
Recordedc. September–October 1984
Length3:51
LabelEMI America
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • David Bowie
  • Pat Metheny
David Bowie singles chronology
"Tonight"
(1984)
"This Is Not America"
(1985)
"Loving the Alien"
(1985)

"This Is Not America" is a song by English singer David Bowie and American jazz fusion band the Pat Metheny Group, taken from the soundtrack to the 1985 film The Falcon and the Snowman.[2] It was released as a single in February 1985, reaching number 14 in the United Kingdom and number 32 in the United States.

Background and recording

[edit]

Having finished his 1984 album Tonight and being dissatisfied with it,[3] Bowie began a series of soundtrack projects (Labyrinth, Absolute Beginners and When the Wind Blows, all in 1986) that started with this collaboration with the Pat Metheny Group.[4][5] Recorded in late 1984, "This Is Not America" was released as a single in early 1985 and on the soundtrack to the movie.[5] Metheny had written an instrumental piece for the movie called "Chris" and wanted to turn it into a full-length song; "This Is Not America" was the result of their collaboration.[4] Bowie watched an early screening of The Falcon and the Snowman and took notes on lines and themes that they might use; "This is not America" is a line said by one character to another, and both Bowie and Metheny agreed it was interesting.[4] Despite Metheny being known as a jazz musician, the song was described by Bowie biographer Chris O'Leary as "hardly a jazz piece", as Metheny plays a simple rhythm guitar throughout the song, with no solos or improvisations.[4] Metheny later noted that Bowie's lyrics were "profound and meaningful—and absolutely perfect for the film."[6]

Bowie does not appear in the corresponding music video for the single as it was made up entirely of clips from the movie.[5]

Other appearances

[edit]

The song appeared on The Singles Collection (1993). The 1995 reissue of Bowie's 1984 album Tonight includes "This Is Not America" as a bonus track. "This Is Not America" appears as a B-side to Bowie's 1997 single "I Can't Read". It was also released on Best of Bowie (2002), appearing on all but the Australian and Japanese pressings of that album, The Platinum Collection (2005), The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987 (2007), Nothing Has Changed (2014; two-disc and three-disc editions), Bowie Legacy (2016; two-disc edition), and Loving the Alien (1983–1988) (2018; box set).

A remix by the Scumfrog was released on Club Bowie (2003), and the song was also performed in Bowie's musical Lazarus (2016).[5] A cast recording from the musical, which also included a performance of the song, was released in October 2016.

Live versions

[edit]

The Pat Metheny Group recorded the song live for the 1995 DVD We Live Here, with band members replacing Bowie on vocals. Bowie recorded a performance of the song at the BBC Radio Theatre in London on 27 June 2000, and it was released on the bonus disc accompanying the first release of Bowie at the Beeb; a remastered and complete version of that show was re-released in 2021 as part of the Bowie box set Brilliant Adventure (1992-2001). Another version featuring Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny was recorded live in Warsaw in 2002 and is included on the album Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny Live in Warsaw 2002.

"American Dream"

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Bowie performs a variation of "This Is Not America" on the P. Diddy song "American Dream" for the soundtrack to the 2001 film Training Day. Bowie said, "This version's definitely got a menace. ... There's a fast techno flavour to it. It's got an aggression to it that really reflects the movie."[5]

Track listing

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  • 7-inch and 12-inch single
A. "This Is Not America" – 3:51
B. "This Is Not America" (instrumental) – 3:51

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.[7]

Charts

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References

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  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 58.
  2. ^ Parsons, Tony (2 February 1985). "Singles". NME. p. 14. ISSN 0028-6362.
  3. ^ Sandford 1997, p. 229.
  4. ^ a b c d O'Leary 2019, pp. 214–216.
  5. ^ a b c d e Pegg 2016, p. 280.
  6. ^ Metheny, Pat (2000). Pat Metheny Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing. ISBN 0634007963.
  7. ^ The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (liner notes). Pat Metheny Group. EMI America Records. 1985. SV-17150.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  10. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0500." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  12. ^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 9. 4 March 1985. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  14. ^ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 13. 1 April 1985. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  15. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Is Not America". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 2 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "David Bowie & Pat Metheny" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – David Bowie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  18. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  19. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  20. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  21. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  22. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  24. ^ "David Bowie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  25. ^ "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. 16 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. 2 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  28. ^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  30. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

Bibliography

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