Bowie, David - Panic In Detroit Lyrics






He looked a lot like Che Guevara,
drove a diesel van
Kept his gun in quiet seclusion,
such a humble man
The only survivor of the National People's Gang
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone

Panic in Detroit

He laughed at accidental sirens that broke the evening
gloom
The police had warned of repercussions

They followed none too soon
A trickle of strangers were all that were left alive
Panic in Detroit, I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home, I wish someone would phone

Panic in Detroit

Putting on some clothes I made my way to school
And I found my teacher
crouching in his overalls

I screamed and ran to smash my favorite slot machine
And jumped the silent cars that slept at traffic lights

Having scored a trillion dollars,
made a run back home

Found him slumped across the table.
A gun and me alone
I ran to the window. Looked for a plane or two
Panic in Detroit.
He'd left me an autograph
"Let me collect dust."
I wish someone would phone

Panic in Detroit





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Bowie, David Panic In Detroit Comments
  1. C.... D....

    If you don't like this song you have a problem

  2. C.... V....

    Love him since I was 7,Ziggy 🌟 STardust,Diamond dogs,Thin white Duke,Major Tom Many hours Of 💜love for his Artist,And Mick Ronson on guitar,💙🎸🎤Sadly miss

  3. M.... B....

    Fave track on this album -62 and still listen every week to YBR. Thanks darlin' for the music.Xx

  4. J.... P....

    Should have been the theme song when G.M. and Chrysler asked for a government bailout.

  5. A.... ....

    Help me: i knew a song with a pretty similar if not identical starting riff, but it isn't this song, obviously. anyone can figure out ?

    A.... ....

    It follows the bo diddley melody! Everyone from the Stooges, Bruce Springsteen, to They Might Be Giants have since used this as a backbone in their songs.

  6. J.... M....

    I'm here Still Standing........ Vote TULSI 2020.

  7. W.... S....

    My favorite from Bowie! Great base and beat.

  8. D.... B....

    Goddamn, Mick's opening riff is so heavy that it threatens to wake the Supermen.

  9. A.... J....

    Made me get that my weird was a little tame in the day, and unappreciated.

  10. G.... B....

    Helter Skelter ...911 music

  11. N.... A....

    Best song of all time, ALL TIME. This song and this song alone created the Talking Heads.

  12. B.... M....

    I pity the fools today and their "music". This music I will listen to my dirt nap.

  13. S.... W....

    the detroit tigers need to sign joe panic so they can play this every time he comes up to bat

  14. K.... C....

    My Mother was SICK She would SQUEEZE my balls while was SQUEEZING her TITS And HE LAUGHED at me

  15. K.... C....

    Midgets come from "INCESTUAL INBREEDING" And MY MOTHERis a "SICK ANIMAL"

    K.... C....

    You really shouldn’t drink and post on YouTube

  16. K.... C....

    My Mother was a "SICK ANIMAL" and when she got me DRUNK and INDUCED ME with HER NARCOCS? ad MY MOTER gave ME te "HOT COSBY" I mean "WHERE do MIDGETS coe from?

  17. K.... C....

    Kurt Vonagut WROTE "SLAAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE"and "HIS BOOK" earned over TWELVE MILLION DOLARS Lisa Brecenridge

    K.... C....

    Your point is?

  18. N.... A....

    LOOKED A LOT LIKE CHE GUEVARA

    N.... A....

    Gotta love it.. and he drove a diesel van...

  19. S.... R....

    The best track on the album...Fantastic song!

  20. D.... W....

    Rest In Peace, David Bowie!

  21. G.... ....

    almost 2020 now...and Bowies music still MORE than holds up....in fact...still better them most today.

  22. c.... s....

    I wish someone would phone. This is 1973 calling 2019....TJ STRUSKA

  23. A.... J....

    Bowie (and quite a few prog bands) saved me from the drone of southern rock. This is one of my favorites.

  24. W.... S....

    One of the best Bowie songs

  25. D.... W....

    This bass is just killer. Who was playing.

  26. E.... ....

    Love this record. Strangely enough, Detroit was the first place I ever went to in the US. On holiday from the UK visiting my sister in Canada, I crossed with my wife over from Windsor in the tunnel on a Greyhound bus in June 93. What a place. The bus driver told us. "You guys watch yourselves around here," with a look of deep concern. Decrepit buildings, grass growing through the cracks in parking lots, and black guys cruising around in limos shouting at us. Nobody walking around but us. Freaked me right out. Soon went back across the border. Next day got a taxi over to Fairlane shopping mall Dearborn; glad I went to Detroit though; it's on the up now.

  27. p.... ....

    When parents have got better music than their kids.

  28. M.... C....

    🎶🎵🎼😎

  29. t.... m....

    About John St Claire, Founder of the White Panther's supporting the Black Panther's in their struggles with the biased laws.

  30. T.... W....

    This song is a hidden gem. Grew up in Detroit and remember my first time hearing this. The intro gave me goosebumps. The background vocals gave me goosebumps.

  31. R.... B....

    Along with George Best,Bowie was my idol growing up in the late 60’/early 70’s.Nothing else compares,loved them both with equal measure.RIP Belfast boy and Man from Mars.

  32. J.... F....

    Pump up the volume

  33. B.... P....

    It's hit or miss with YouTube's comment section

  34. d.... m....

    Listening to this in the ‘70’s and thinking...pretty cool. Listening in the 2000’s and realizing DEVO got it right, we ARE devolving. The crap that passes for talent these days, man o’ man , we are fucked as a society.

  35. P.... C....

    Go standard.

  36. L.... S....

    I never thought he could die but then life isn't really living is it?

  37. N.... C....

    just love that voice

  38. R.... F....

    does anyone remember Fraizer Smith on KROQ this was his intro song

  39. W.... G....

    This song is so relevant in 2019.Somebody should drop a nuclear bomb on Detroit. The worst city in the United States.

  40. T.... ....

    David Bowie – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
    Mick Ronson – electric guitars
    Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
    Woody Woodmansey – drums
    Aynsley Dunbar – percussion
    Linda Lewis – backing vocals
    Warren Peace – backing vocals

  41. s.... ....

    I saw him in concert in 73 in Los Angeles. Super talented!

  42. M.... ....

    what religion is david bowie?

  43. S.... M....

    The Rolling stones grate institutions

  44. G.... M....

    This just rocks.

  45. w.... i....

    b r i l l a n t

  46. b.... n....

    Police warn of Repercussions. ha now they are afraid!

  47. G.... J....

    I always liked Bowie's more rocking songs like this

  48. s.... o....

    What's that object resting on his collar bone?

    s.... o....

    A teardrop

  49. N.... B....

    guess who joy division, bauhaus, swans, and well everybody who went on to populate the 80's with great music was listening to back then.

  50. M.... T....

    2019 anyone enjoy !

  51. m.... ....

    try listening to this at 1.25 speed

  52. N.... A....

    Was a huge Bowie fan all my old assed life. When he died this was the song I thought of and wanted to here.

  53. R.... ....

    Esempio di puro glam rock ma di oro fino...

  54. s.... f....

    Bowie was"Brilliant'! MO FOES!

  55. g.... ....

    This was my first Bowie album when I was 13. Nobody else in my town was listening to these songs it was as if I had joined a secret club

    g.... ....

    Man, we gotta party !! Great taste for a 13 year old (not meant negatively). Been a fan for 45 years....

  56. b.... ....

    Aladdin Sane and Panic In Hong Kong now nights?

  57. D.... B....

    The Best Bowie song that gets the Least air time.

  58. T.... S....

    I wonder who’s autograph?

  59. M.... M....

    Amazing track..,, Bowie will never die with the catalogue of brilliant music he left us and provided 2...3...4 generations of teenagers an inspiration to be all they wanted to be back in the days when rock music was alive and evolving
    Before F****** BGT slaughtered the coolest scene we had

  60. e.... D....

    The dudiest of dude - cool mother.

  61. S.... W....

    Astronomy ...a STAR .....

  62. s.... 7....

    The bass line is incredible.

    s.... 7....

    Trevor Bolder. I have some good memories of his days with Uriah Heap.

  63. J.... ....

    When this first came out it was very delightful!

  64. J.... W....

    As soon as this song starts up, you take notice. Scary guitar by Ronson sets it off. This is rock.

  65. S.... H....

    What a great song. Not just evocative apocalyptic lyrics, but great melody, great guitar and amazing backing vocals too, all conveying the mood of the lyrics. Amazing!
    sttgargoaktd

  66. M.... M....

    My favourite all-time Bowie record

  67. k.... ....

    The 1st song that made me like him. WABX


    -

  68. b.... ....

    What a track from the genius. Filthy sexy guitar, amazing percussion, backing vocals to die for and the lyrics and the man himself! Fabulous.

    b.... ....

    I do wish you could get more enthused about things....LOL

  69. G.... ....

    I miss you sir.

  70. m.... p....

    i ran to the window -- wished for a plane or two

  71. m.... p....

    love this album - i knkhs inside out - wished should one would phone

  72. m.... ....

    Wow just wow, I have a man cave and an original 1974 diamond dogs album is on the wall.

    m.... ....

    You, my friend, are after my heart, so to speak. I saw him at the Hofheinz Pavilion in Houston and he blew the place away....MANY moons ago. Saw Bob Dylan and The Band in the same venue not long after that. Bob walked right by me on the way to the stage. Got him to wave at me. (what a cunt for doing that but it was Bob for Christ's sake)

  73. H.... ....

    David Paich cited the "Bo Diddly" beat from this song as his inspiration for the beginning of Rosanna.

  74. B.... W....

    the man was clean slick opps not lurch too

  75. K.... O....

    Classic rock at it's greatest

  76. G.... ....

    Aladdin Sane was my first Bowie album.
    It was amazing.
    It still is.

    G.... ....

    funny story, not sure if you hear it...but the actual song...aladinsane. Bowie was not quite sure what he wanted, fired many piano players....the guy on the album, walked in and did it on 1 take. No repeats, In and out. Pro.

  77. D.... W....

    Trevor Bolder's bass drives this song!

    D.... W....

    Great bassist. Some good memories of his days with Uriah Heap.

  78. C.... ....

    Never did the Bo Diddley beat sound better. Kudos to David and Mark. You are so missed.

  79. k.... v....

    there is nothing in Detroit.....anymore. Michigan 2019.

  80. r.... ....

    Someone should do a remake of this but sing 'Panic in Trump land'.

  81. N.... M....

    Why David never seemed to get the credit he deserved as a great lyricist, I'll never understand.
    His stuff is absolutely brilliant.

  82. M.... M....

    Favourite track, used to go
    Mental to this

  83. M.... T....

    Still have my vinyl of this album.
    It is sacred to me.🕯😇💖

    M.... T....

    Me too.

  84. k.... m....

    The Guvnor say no more .
    South London Finest

  85. G.... A....

    Trenton High School I was out of school then but the party and kept on going now I'm not so pretty hungry once in a great while I put this little ditty on can I start rocking again Bob Seger David Bowie the rationals oh good choice Detroit down Rivers got the best rock and roll ever always will and we don't even like rap what kind of bull shitters rap we like it rock and roll!

  86. k.... f....

    first gud bowie song that got me hookd

  87. R.... K....

    As great as this song is, the back up singers take it to another level.

  88. P.... P....

    P A N I C I N D E T R O I T ( i WAS BORN IN 1967 IN THE HEART OF DETROIT RIOTS)

  89. n.... n....

    Them drums!

  90. M.... H....

    My close friend had tickets for the 73" concert at the Michigan Plac., we were 16, and he got too high..and lost the tickets..!

    M.... H....

    Is he still your friend?😊

    M.... H....

    Melissa Tyree ..If you google his name..my best friend, he became a well rock photographer, his name is Ross Marino. He tragically died in a swimming accident in Jan of 88`, at the age of 29, in Cancun.

    M.... H....

    @Michael Hegyan ..thanks for the info. Sorry about your friend. Love from ohio.

    M.... H....

    Melissa Tyree ..thnx

  91. D.... H....

    unless you lived when this album first came out its very hard now to understand the shock. Society was not ready for this . the kids where . the parents schools work etc where definitely not ! this was painted on my havasack flap . my dad wanted to kick the shit out of me just for that ! 2 years later a junior rating in the navy . they hated it even more than my dad yet i survived bucking the system for 19 years . never let the bastards win folks !!!! 😀

    D.... H....

    Mine was well hidden...

    D.... H....

    Bowie was only my music in 1975 in my world. Nobody else understood. Not family or friends. They liked it many years later when they finally heard the voice I had been playing.

    D.... H....

    Got that right, mate, I was 15 when came out, and i remember I had this record cranked up on my turnstile..

    D.... H....

    @Michael Rompf wow..missed that concert..! My friend got too high and lost his car keys..

    D.... H....

    Amen👍🏼

  92. T.... ....

    Sounds like panic in America.
    Rudderless leadership.

  93. S.... 1....

    The backing vocal makes the record for me. Thank you, Linda Lewis...

  94. D.... R....

    Perfection

  95. G.... ....

    the perfect human being...anthroplogists will study Bowie, and his influnce for many years

  96. e.... ....

    sorry bowie is still the best happy trails my lovers

  97. N.... F....

    Voice kind of reminds me of Rob Halford

  98. H.... I....

    One of the best pure guitar openings I have ever heard. Makes me want to just leap up and start rocking-out.

  99. e.... ....

    140 tin ears happy trails my lovers