@ALBUM: young.americans Lyrics to David Bowies _Young Americans_ album. Below are the lyrics to the Ryko CD version of the album, which includes three bonus tracks not found on the original release. Those who have the LP might remember the lyrics were printed on the paper album sleeve. Use has been made of this source, but quite a few changes and additions have been made (as well as the three bonus songs). The main difficulty encountered was deciding just what lyrics to write, as both David and the background singers are frequently singing at the same time, often with entirely different lyrics. In general, I wrote down what David sings, and only included backing parts where David is silent, or where the backing singers are the dominate lyric. Scott Hannon. @SONG: Young Americans They pulled in just behind the fridge, he lays he down, he frowns "Gee my life's a funny thing, am I still too young?" He kissed her then and there, she took his ring, took his babies It took him minutes, took her no-where Heaven knows, she'd've taken anything, but {Chorus, *she* version} [All night] *She* wants the young American [Young American, young American, *she* wants the young American] [All right] but *she* wants the young American Scanning life through the picture window, [Doo-doo-doo-woo] she finds the slinky vagabond [Doo-doo-doo-woo] He coughs as he passes up her red Mustang, but Heaven forbid, she take anything But the freak, and his type, all for nothing, [Doo-doo-doo-woo] misses a step and cuts his hand. But [Doo-doo-doo-woo] showing nothing, he swoops like a song She cries "Where have all Papas' heroes gone?" {chorus, *she* version} All the way from Washington, her bread-winner begs off the bathroom floor "We live for just these twenty years, do we have to die for the fifty more?", had {chorus, *he* version} Do you remember your President Nixon? [Doo-doo-doo-woo] Do you remember the bills you have to pay, or even yesterday? Have you have been an un-American? [Doo-doo-doo-woo] Just you and your idol singing falsetto [Doo-doo-doo-woo] 'bout leather, leather everywhere, and not a myth left from the ghetto Well, well, well, would you carry a razor [Doo-doo-doo-woo] in case, just in case of depression? [Doo-doo-doo-woo] Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors, blushing at all the afro-Sheila's Ain't that close to love? [Doo-doo-doo-woo] Well, ain't that poster love? [Doo-doo-doo-woo] Well, it ain't that Barbie doll, her heart's been broken just like you have {chorus, *you* version} You ain't a pimp and you ain't a hustler A pimps' got a Cadi and a lady got a Chrysler Blacks got respect, uhh, whites got his soul train Mamas' got cramps, and look at your hands ache [I heard the news today, oh boy] I got a suite and you got defeat Ain't there a man you can say no more?, and Ain't there a woman I can sock on the jaw?, and Ain't there a child I can hold without judging? Ain't there a pen that will write before they die? Ain't you proud that you've still got faces? Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry? {chorus, *I* version} {chorus, *I* version} {chorus, *I* version} @SONG: Win [Hey, it ain't over] Me, I hope that I'm crazy I feel you driving and you're only the wheel Slow down, let some-one love you Oww, I've never touched you since I started to feel If there's nothing to hide me, then you've never seen me hanging naked and wired Somebody lied, but I say it's hip to be alive {chorus} Now your smile is spreading thin Seems you're trying not to lose Since I'm not supposed to grin All you've got to do is win [Oww, that's all ya gotta do] [Oww, it ain't over] Me, I'm fresh on your pages Secret thinker, sometimes listening aloud Life lies dumb on its' heroes Wear your wound with honor, make someone proud Someone like you should not be allowed to start any fires {chorus} [Oww, that's all ya gotta do] [Oww, it ain't over] {chorus} [Oww, thats all ya gotta do] [Oww] Got to do is win [it ain't over] Well, your smile is spreading thin [Oww, seek and believe in you] Since you're trying not to lose [Oww, it ain't over, no, no] Since I'm not supposed to grin [Oww, that's all ya gotta do] All you've got to do is win [Oww, it ain't over, no] [Oww, seek and believe in you] All you've got to do is win [Oww, it ain't over, no, no] Oww, all you've got! Is all you've got [It ain't over] Min-no-va.... @SONG: Fascination (L. Vandross, D. Bowie) Got to use her Every time I feel fascination I just can't stand still, I've got to use her Every time I think of what'cha pulled me through, dear fascination moves, sweeping near me Still I take ya {Chorus} [Fascination] fascination [sho'nuff] fascination [takes a part of me] takes a part of me [Can a heart-beat] can a heart-beat [live in a fever] live in a fever? [raging inside of me?] [Fascination] fascination [oh, yeah,] oh yeah [takes a part of me] takes a part of me [I can't help it] I can't help it [I've got to use her] got to use her [every time, oow] fascination comes around [Ahh, Oow-woo-oow] [Fascination] Your soul is calling like when I'm walking Seems that everywhere I turn I hope you're waiting for me I-I know that people think that I'm a little crazy Oww, better sex is fun I think I like fascination Still, tic {chorus} {chorus} {etc} @SONG: Right {verse 1} Takin' it all the right way, keepin' it in the back Takin' it all the right way, never no turnin' back Never need, no, never no turnin' back {verse 2} Flyin', just a sweet place, comin' inside and sail Flyin', just a sweet place, never been known to fail Never been, no, never been known to fail {scat} Wishing you, wishing that sometimes [sometimes] Doin' it, doin' it right, 'til [doin' it] one time [one time] Gets you when your down [nobody, nobody, do it again, get off] Eh, sometimes, [doin'] wishin' sometimes, [give it back] up there, up there [givin' it] Ah, my darlin' [No] Ah, my darlin', [givin' it] ah, [up there] why? [gimme, gimme] Up there, [yeah] gimme [doin' it] taken with me [sometimes] lovin' it, doin' it [right] 'til [take it] one time Gimme [doin' it] Givin' it [givin' it back] {verse 1} {verse 1} {verse 1} {verse 2} {verse 1} Never no turning back Never, never, never {etc} @SONG: Somebody Up There Likes Me Let the lies go Let... He's everybodys token, on everybodys wall Blessin' all the papers, thanking one and all Hugging all the babies, kissing all the ladies Knowing all you think about from writing on the wall {chorus 1} He's so divine, his soul shines Breaks the night, sleep tight His ever lovin' face smiles on the whole human race (He says "I'm somebody") {chorus 2} He's got his eye on your soul, his hand on your heart He says "Don't hurry, baby, somebody up there [somebody] likes me" He's the sabbath son of the TV tube, planets wrote the day was due All the wisest men around predicted that a man was found Who looked a lot like you and me, uh, anyone with sense could see Nothing left his eye un-moved, he had the plan, he had to use {chorus 1 and 2} Somebody plays my song in tune, makes me, makes me, makes me stronger for you, babe Was a way when we were young, that any man was judged by what he'd done But now you pick them on the screen [what they look like] where they've been {chorus 2} Leaders come They hate all. The people know that given time, the leaders go Tell me, can they hold you under their spell Can they walk and hold you as well as a smile like Valentino? Could he sell you anything? {chorus 2} [somebody, somebody, somebody] [somebody, somebody] [somebody, somebody] [somebody, somebody] Somebody [somebody] Somebody [somebody] Somebody [somebody, somebody] Yes, somebody [somebody] Somebody [somebody] Somebody [somebody, somebody] Yeah, can't remember [somebody] peace so well Oh, space to ramble, [somebody] space to boogie Soul shine [Oow-oow] He's so divine He's somebody {etc} @SONG: Across the Universe (J. Lennon, P. McCartney) Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my openned mind, possesing and caressing me {Chorus 1} Nothing's gonna change my world Nothing's gonna change my world {chorus 1} Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes, they call me on and on across the universe Thoughts meander like the restless wind inside a letter box They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe {chorus 1} {chorus 1} Sounds of laughter, shades of life are ringing through my open ears, inciting and inviting me Limitless undying love, which shines around me like a million suns, it calls me on and on and on across the universe {chorus 1} {chorus 1} {chorus 1} {chorus 2} Nothing Nothing Nothing Nothing's gonna Nothing's gonna change my world {chorus 2} {chorus 3} Nothing's gonna change it Nothing's gonna change it Hey {chorus 3} {chorus 3} Nothing's gonna change my world {chorus 3} Nothing's gonna change my world @SONG: Can You Hear Me Once we were lovers, can they understand? Closer than others, I was your, I was your man Don't talk of heart-aches, oww, I remember them all When I'm checking you out one day to see if I'm faking it all {chorus} Can you hear me? Can you feel me inside? Show your love, love Take it in right [take it in right] Take it in right [take it in right] There's been many others, [Oow-oow-oow-oow] so many times *Six steel Jew* cities, an' what do I, what do I, {?} what do I find? I want love so badly I want you most of all You know, it's harder to ta-take it from anyone It's harder to fall Can you hear me call ya? {chorus} Well, can you hear me? [yeah] Can you feel me inside [I do] Show your love, show your sweet, sweet love Show me your love Take it in right [take it in right] Take it in right [take it in right] Take it in right to your love life, baby Take it in right To your love life Take it in right Take it in right, right to your love life Take it in right, ah Take it in, take it in right Right down, right down [Why don't ya take it?] Mmmmm Why don't you take it? [Right to your heart] Can you hear me? [Why don't ya take it?] Can you feel me? ah [Why don't ya take it?] Can ya? Can ya? In a-right [Why don't ya take it?] Wuhhh Right down, right down [Right to your heart] Can you take it? Feel me? [Why don't ya take it?] Down, to right down [Why don't ya take it?] into your heart [Why don't ya take it?] Oww, to your heart [Right to your heart] Take it down, take it down [Why don't ya take it?] [Why don't ya take it?] Take it in right [Right to your heart] Oww-oww @SONG: Fame (D. Bowie, J. Lennon, C. Alomar) Fame, makes a man take things over Fame, lets him loose, hard to swallow Fame, puts you there, where things are hollow Fame Fame, it's not your brain, it's just the flame that burns the change to keep you insane Fame Fame, what you like is in the Limo Fame, what you get is no tomorrow Fame, what you need you have to borrow Fame Fame, "Nien! It's mine!" is just his line to bind your time, it drives you to, ah, crime Fame Could it be the best, could it be? Really be, really, babe? Could it be, my babe, could it, babe? Really be, really, babe? Is it any wonder I reject you first? Fame, fame, fame, fame Is it any wonder you're too cool to fool Fame Fame, bully for you, chilly for me Got to get a rain-check on pain Fame {vocoder} ba ba be ba be ba be ba be ba be ba ba ba ba ba ba baby, baby baby Fame What's your name? {whispered} Feelin' so gay Feelin' gay @SONG: Who Can I Be Now Everybody's raised in blindness Everybody knows it's true Everybody feels that everything is real, anybodys' point of of view Nobody can break their bondage Everyone can feel their chains But even in my life I knew you found your sight and nothing would be quite the same Please help me Who can I be now? You found me Who can I be? Felled apart, you found me Now can I be now? You found me Now can I be real? Can I be real? [somebody real] Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm If it's all a vast creation Putting on a face that's new Some-one has to see, uhh, row for him and me Some-one, might as well be you Up in Heaven, any angel writes a special game to play Oh-ho, could we, could we make a star to snatch their angels, boy Made you row, boy, every day Please help me Who can I be now? You found me Who can I be? Felled apart, you found me Now can I be now? You found me Now can I be real? Can I be? Who can I be now? You found me Who can I be? Felled upon, you found me Now can I be now? You found me No-o-ow can I, can I be real? Can I be real? Can I be real? Can I be? [Who] can I be? Oh babe, babe [Now] Yeah, can I be [now]? You found me [Now] can I be free? Can I... @SONG: It's Gonna Be Me Hey Jack, I better shake it off Put her out of my head The thinking of all, just another young girl last night Oh brother! I left a woman in that morning day Been on that trip so many times Good-God! was really yesterday I've tried so many, many, many, many, many many ways I've lied and taken off into the day, leaving another girl to weep over the breakfast tray Loved her before I knew her name Hit me! Jack, 'cause I'm gone! love her way [Come back, my *brain*] {?} Come back my brain Feel holy again, I gave her [I gave her] oww, baby, baby Gotta give her, oww, baby, baby that kind of love can only destroy I gave her, oww, baby, baby Gettin' down, if I'm gonna be, the baby wants it Gonna be me [It's gonna be me] There was no rein to check me when all th-ose little things walked on by Oh! but I couldn't feel this, stammer out a word, when that angel stuck in my mind Oo, oo, oo, oo Lookin' for love won't hold me back [No!] I'm gonna love her way Come back my brain Fell holy again I gave her Gotta give it, love Oww, baby, baby That kind of love can only destroy I gave her, oww, baby, baby Gotta get it now, If I'm gonna be her baby It's gonna be me, yeah Let's play, not play this record Waitin' for the telephone to ring Wiped-out and bitter, with a bag clutched in her hand All the cars sound like they're pulling in the drive Umm, no, no, no, no, no, uhh I see her now A little tear running down her check Laugh! Let down People looking for me I want to race down her street and knock hard, hard, hard on the door 'til Until she breaks down in my arms like a *Tracy tie*, yell "I feel the pain" {?} I'll be so strong again and again Come back my brain, yeah I'm holy again I'll take ya, oww, babe, baby, baby We're gonna have, oww, baby, baby, My kind of love can only bring you joy I'm gonna, oww, baby Yeah, got far Give you, baby, baby 'Cause it's gonna be me [It's gonna be me] Umm, hmm, hmm @SONG: John, I'm Only Dancing (1975 single [disco] version) [Dancin'] I'm having so much love [Dancin'] To pack, I pack a gun [Dancin'] Boogie down with Dead, and I I give my house in the country if you slipped us some funk, cat [Music] I'm dancin' in the street [Oow, music] I tore my shoes from my feet [Romancin'] It's got me dirty and sweet It's got you reelin' an' rockin', won't you let me slam my thing, an' [Fallin'] I think it's all I can do [Fallin'] Just like we're beating it, too [Umm, fallin'] Give a little, take a little, give a little back Jumpy John, the great goose, has gone gotta line on my hand, Charlie on my back [John] I'm only dancing [She turns me on] I'm only dancing [She turns me on] Oh, but she moves me [Don't get me wrong] I-I-I-I-I [I'm only dancing, oow-oow] [I'm only dancing, oow-oow] [Dancin'] Have you heard the news? [Dancin'] Presisent has got the blues [Dancin'] I tell you confidently If he gives it to you, he better take it from me [*Sam said*] I'll pick up your bones {?} [Sam said] If the numbers alone [Sam said] Get off your telephone Lookin' people in the eye, tell 'em "my, oh, my" Let your back bone slide while you whistle and cry [John] [She turns me on] [She turns me on] love, love, love, we get [Don't get me wrong] hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm [I'm only dancing, oww-oww] [John] I-I-I'm only dancing [She turns me on] I-I-I'm only dancing [She turns me on] I lost my fear, [Don't get me wrong] and I found, found my way [I'm only dancing, oow-oow] Please dance with me [I'm only dancing, oow-oow] Please dance with me [I'm only dancing, oow-oow] hmm, hmm, hmm-hmm [Dancin', dancin', dancin', woo, woo, woo] [Dancin', dancin', dancin', woo, woo, woo] [Dancin', dancin', dancin', woo, woo, woo] [Dancin'] I'm only [Dancin'] I'm only [Dancin'] I'm only [Woo, woo, woo] [Dancin'] I'm only [Dancin'] I'm only [Dancin'] I'm only [Woo, woo, woo] Can't sing nor hear I've lost my fear Cha-Charlie, a dance on [Woo, woo, woo] [Woo, woo, woo] He-he-hey-hey-hey-hey-hey, 'cause [Woo, woo, woo] You got white light You got black light I've got white light Take a dance on [Woo, woo, woo] I'm only I'm only I'm only [Woo, woo, woo] I've got I've got [Woo, woo, woo] [Woo, woo, woo] [Dancin'] hey [Dancin'] hey [Dancin'] hey [Woo, woo, woo] Take a dance on [Dancin'] Take a dance on [Dancin'] Take a dance on [Dancin'] Hey [Woo, woo, woo] [Dancin', dancin', dancin', woo, woo, woo] Gotta give me now [Dancin'] Gotta give me now [Dancin'] Gotta give me now [Dancin'] [Woo, woo, woo] He-hey [Dancin'] He-hey [Dancin'] [Dancin'] [Woo, woo, woo] Likin' it fine Makin' it mine Likin' it fine Makin' it mine Likin' it fine Makin' it [I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [I'm only dancin', dancin', I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [I'm only dancin', dancin', I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [I'm only dancin', dancin', I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [I'm only dancin', hey I'm dancin', hey! I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [yes I am, I'm only dancin', hey I'm dancin', hey, dancin', umm-hmm] [Oww, I'm only dancin', oww, I'm only dancin', I'm only dancin', umm-hmm] [Oh, I be dancin'...]