Young Americans - David Bowie | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

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.

"Golden Years," "Ashes to Ashes," "Queen Bitch," "Fame," and "Panic in Detroit" are all great Bowie songs worth a listen.

"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.

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.....

Bowie changed pretty much every single album he is such an unbelievable talented artist

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.

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.

Any song with the lyrics “slinky vagabond” is automatically genius.

Bowie “I’M AFRAID OF AMERICANS” IS GUARANTEED BANGER

He has been a fav of mine for most of my 65 yrs

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.

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.

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.

David Bowie..the highly intelligent man who explored and discovered every man within himself

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.

Can't remember the Bowie tunes you've done, but know you haven't done Golden Years. So funky!

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.

Some plastic soul for my Monday morning. I'm a lifelong Bowie fan. Thanks guys! More please!

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!

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."

This is actually my favorite Bowie 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!!

I read the news today was his thanks to Lennon who just did Fame with him. MODERN LOVE is where you wanna go next.

You get to hear the great but unknown (at the time) Luther Vandross singing background vocals.

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"

Saxophone: David Sanborn Background Singer: Luther Vandross

I feel his semi-winded vocal performance on this song actually adds to its intensity and message.

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.

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! ♩

You gotta rock his jam Rebel Rebel...it rocks pretty good.....and Let's Dance. Great Bowie tunes! Peace from PA✌

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.

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!!! ☮️❤️♾️

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.

Bowie said, “I wanted so badly to be a great Philadelphia-style soul singer, but I was a white English guy from south London.”

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.

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.

Quite the Chameleon...he was ever changing. 👏❤️🎤🎧

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…

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.

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.

Hit #18 in UK, #28 in US, deserved better. "Fame" next

"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.

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.

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!

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.

Rebel Rebel next. A true Bowie banger!

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.

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!

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

I seen Bowie on his "Golden Years" tour. I highly reccomend that song, if you haven't reacted to it yet.

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.

"Changes." As with Space Oddity, for many the Bowie journey began with Changes.

"Win" and "Right" are the class tracks on this album.

Yes Bowie...... Ziggy next guys please

You need to be the first big reactors to hit Life on Mars, at least on RU-vid.

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!

“Is There Life on Mars” would be an excellent next Bowie tune to hit that I don’t think you two have covered.

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!

Over time this became my favourite Bowie song alongside Station To Station. Amazing vocals, gorgeous sax, scathing lyrics. Just so much fun

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

Love,love,love David bowie!!! Happy holidays guys!!!

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.

You were not that into the soul vibe. This song grew on me for a couple decades. This album is a masterpiece

I really enjoy watching you react! Especially the fact you do a lot of old classics👍

Definitely one of my favorite Bowie songs. I'd recommend Starman and Life on Mars next.

Another absolute classic! Thanks guys.

It's a GROWER, gentlemen! You'll be back to listen to it again. I promise!

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.

This song will grow on you because it's one of the best rock songs to dance to.

This was an instantly A+ for me, then and now

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.

I love Bowie. If you want a full picture of his talent you should watch the"Labyrinth". Singing, dancing acting. The whole package.

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.

My FAVORITE Bowie song. That being said it is a song of its TIME. Quite a political statement at the time. 1975 , not the 60s. Starting to see a lot of fall out from Vietnam. I was 15 other than the ERA we didn't have a lot holding us together. And Disco was starting to take hold. We all know what happened then.

So much great material on this album. Thanks for this video.

I love the way you can see Andy processing what he is hearing.

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.

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.

'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.

Great choice. Easily his funkiest song with exceptional lyrics and vocal arrangement. Can't stop moving to it! Thanks for this men!

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.

"Fame" is my favorite Bowie song, followed by this one.

Was fortunate enough to see Bowie in 1983. A musical treasure. RIP

Oof a B+ for Bowie!? You're really sleeping on lyrical analysis in general, but it's especially vital with Bowie.

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!

Has a definite Philly Soul groove. Always one of my favorites.

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...

Glad you listnened to this song, I love it, great vocals and a sawwweeettt sax, one of my favorites.

Fell in love with Bowie's music in the mid 70's.... & haven't looked back ✌😎 (RIP David ) Favorite album... David Live

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.

I think the song “Cat People (Putting out Fire)” will be an S-Tier for you guys.

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.

This is another song... that you had to hear in the context of the music going on around you at the time. It is hard to take it today and judge it out of context. When it was released it was refreshing and new and different. I can live with the A and B+ but I think it is a solid A.

I really dig this one, I bought this album when it came out and it took a few listens. Time for some "Golden Years" an all time favorite Bowie song.

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.

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.