“This Is Not America” was released as a single which reached No. 14 in the UK, and No. 32 in the US. The song later appeared on Bowie’s greatest hits compilation Best of Bowie, appearing on all but the Australian and Japanese pressings of that album. Metheny later noted that Bowie’s words were “profound and meaningful – and absolutely perfect for the film.”
Track listing
7″: EMI America / EA 190 (UK)
“This Is Not America” (David Bowie, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays) – 3:51
“This Is Not America (Instrumental)” (Bowie, Metheny, Mays) – 3:51
12″: EMI America / 12EA190 (UK)
“This Is Not America” (Bowie, Metheny, Mays) – 3:51
“This Is Not America (Instrumental)” (Bowie, Metheny, Mays) – 3:51
Personnel
David Bowie: vocals and lyrics
Pat Metheny Group:
Pat Metheny: electric guitar
Lyle Mays: keyboards
Steve Rodby: electric bass guitar
Paul Wertico: drums
Live versions
Bowie recorded a performance of the song at BBC Radio Theatre, London, 27 June 2000, and it was released on the bonus disc accompanying the first release of Bowie at the Beeb.
Pat Metheny Group recorded it live in the DVD We Live Here, with band members substituting for Bowie on vocals.
Another version featuring Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny was recorded live in Warsaw, 2002, included in an album called Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny Live in Warsaw 2002.
Other releases
It was released on the single “I Can’t Read” in December 1997.
It also appeared on the compilation The Singles Collection in 1993.
The Virgin Records release of the Tonight album in 1995 featured this song as a bonus track.
The song also appears on the compilation Best of Bowie.
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.
The song was later put on the The Platinum Collection, The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987, and Nothing Has Changed compilations.
