David Bowie Cover of the Week: The Last Year covers “I’m Afraid of Americans”

So, it happens that my “cover of the week” feature coincides with the day before the American presidential election this year. Right out of the gates, it’s hard, then, for me to say no to a cover of “I’m Afraid of Americans.” But The Last Year gives me much more than just a well-timed song selection—their performance is excellent, and the animated video blew me away. I usually select the cover of the week while listening to Bowie covers in the background, but the visuals for this one were so arresting that I stopped what I was doing and just watched and listened.

The original song conveyed an industrial, anxious tone that matched the narrator’s unease with American cultural dominance. The video famously featured Trent Reznor as a dark, stalking figure, symbolizing the artist’s inner fears. The Last Year’s cover captures the essence of this anxiety while adding its own distinct interpretation. The arrangement feels familiar, but the lead singer’s female voice softens the edges of Bowie’s almost mechanistic delivery, offering a smoother tone that paradoxically reinforces the song’s unsettling themes. Despite this, it manages to hit just as hard as the original.

Listening to this rendition, I found myself paying even closer attention to the lyrics:

Johnny wants a brain, Johnny wants to suck on a coke
Johnny wants a woman, Johnny wants to think of a joke
Johnny’s in America, Johnny looks up at the stars
Johnny combs his hair and Johnny wants pussy in cars

The Americans Bowie fears are vapid, instinctual pleasure-seekers. Interestingly, Johnny American is never described as doing anything especially threatening or violent. It’s more like Bowie, surrounded by Americans, is thinking to himself that he can’t believe that these guys are in charge. Bowie’s video hints at his fear as being delusional, but this video is nightmarish. If what we’re watching are Americans, it seems there’s much to fear after all. I suppose tomorrow, after the polls close, we’ll find out.

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The Last Year has a prominent social media presence, their own records, merch and more videos. Link to their web site HERE.