This Is Not America

"This Is Not America"
"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)
Released	28 January 1985 (UK)
Recorded	c. September–October 1984
Genre	Jazz
Length	3:51
Label	EMI America
Songwriter(s)	David Bowie; Pat Metheny; Lyle Mays;
Producer(s)	David Bowie; Pat Metheny;
David Bowie singles chronology

"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.^[3] 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

Having finished his 1984 album Tonight and being dissatisfied with it,^[4] 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.^[5]^[6] Recorded in late 1984, "This Is Not America" was released as a single in early 1985 and on the soundtrack to the movie.^[6] 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.^[5] 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.^[5] 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.^[5] Metheny later noted that Bowie's lyrics were "profound and meaningful—and absolutely perfect for the film."^[7]

Bowie does not appear in the corresponding music video for the single as it was made up entirely of clips from the movie.^[6]

Other appearances

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).^[6] A cast recording from the musical, which also included a performance of the song, was released in October 2016.

Live versions

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"

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."^[6]

Track listing

7-inch and 12-inch single

A. "This Is Not America" – 3:51

B. "This Is Not America" (instrumental) – 3:51

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Falcon and the Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.^[8]

David Bowie – vocals, songwriting
Pat Metheny – guitars, production, songwriting
Lyle Mays – keyboards, production, songwriting
Steve Rodby – bass
Paul Wertico – drums, percussion
Bob Clearmountain – mixing
Bob Ludwig – mastering engineering

Charts

Weekly charts

1985 weekly chart performance for "This Is Not America"
Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[9]	33
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[11]	2
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	23
Europe (European Top 100 Singles)^[13]	13
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[14]	16
Greece (IFPI)^[15]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[16]	9
Italy (Musica e dischi)^[17]	3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[18]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[19]	2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[20]	12
Norway (VG-lista)^[21]	3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[22]	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[23]	6
UK Singles (OCC)^[24]	14
US Billboard Hot 100^[25]	32
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)^[26]	42
US Top Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[27]	7
West Germany (GfK)^[28]	5

2016 weekly chart performance for "This Is Not America"
Chart (2016)	Peak position
France (SNEP)^[29]	92

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "This Is Not America"
Chart (1985)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[30]	26
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[31]	28
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[32]	21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[33]	23
West Germany (Official German Charts)^[34]	24

References

^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 58.
^ Gallucci, Michael (17 July 2024). "Every David Bowie Single Ranked". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2 January 2025. ..."This Is Not America" was another detour for Bowie, who steered into jazz territory for the song.
^ Parsons, Tony (2 February 1985). "Singles". NME. p. 14. ISSN 0028-6362.
^ Sandford 1997, p. 229.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d O'Leary 2019, pp. 214–216.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Pegg 2016, p. 280.
^ Metheny, Pat (2000). Pat Metheny Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing. ISBN 0634007963.
^ 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)
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0500." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 9. 4 March 1985. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ 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.
^ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 13. 1 April 1985. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Is Not America". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "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".
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – David Bowie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. 16 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
^ "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. 2 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

Bibliography

O'Leary, Chris (2019). Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016. London: Repeater. ISBN 978-1912248308.
Pegg, Nicholas (2016). The Complete David Bowie (revised and updated ed.). London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0.
Sandford, Christopher (1997) [1996]. Bowie: Loving the Alien. London: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-80854-4.

[1] "Music Week" (PDF). p. 58.

[Gallucci_2024-2] Gallucci, Michael (17 July 2024). "Every David Bowie Single Ranked". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2 January 2025. ..."This Is Not America" was another detour for Bowie, who steered into jazz territory for the song.

[3] Parsons, Tony (2 February 1985). "Singles". NME. p. 14. ISSN 0028-6362.

[FOOTNOTESandford1997229-4] Sandford 1997, p. 229.

[FOOTNOTEO'Leary2019214–216-5] O'Leary 2019, pp. 214–216.

[FOOTNOTEPegg2016280-6] Pegg 2016, p. 280.

[7] Metheny, Pat (2000). Pat Metheny Song Book. Hal Leonard Publishing. ISBN 0634007963.

[8] 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)

[9] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Austria_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-10] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_Flanders_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-11] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 23 May 2017.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-12] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0500." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 February 2016.

[13] "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 9. 4 March 1985. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[14] 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.

[15] "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 13. 1 April 1985. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.

[sc_Ireland2_-16] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Is Not America". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[17] "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".

[sc_Dutch40_David_Bowie-18] "Nederlandse Top 40 – David Bowie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_Dutch100_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-19] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 23 May 2017.

[sc_New_Zealand_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-20] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 23 May 2017.

[sc_Norway_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-21] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_Sweden_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-22] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_Switzerland_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-23] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_UK_-24] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_Billboardhot100_David_Bowie-25] "David Bowie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[26] "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. 16 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

[27] "Mainstream Rock Airplay". Billboard. 2 March 1985. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

[sc_West_Germany_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-28] "Offiziellecharts.de – David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[sc_France_David_Bowie_/_Pat_Metheny_Group-29] "David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 28 September 2020.

[30] "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[31] "Jaaroverzichten 1985 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[32] "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[33] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

[34] "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1985" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 6 July 2018.

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