I'm Afraid of Americans - Nine Inch Nails V1 Mix

Co-written by Brian Eno, this electronica-influenced track finds David Bowie in the grips of paranoia thanks to a guy named Jonny, whose propensity for violence and insatiable lust for material possessions frightens the singer. Jonny is a satirical representation of a stereotypical American obsessed with capitalist culture. "It's not as truly hostile about Americans as say Born In The U.S.A.': it's merely sardonic," Bowie explained in a press release. "I was traveling in Java when its first McDonald's went up: it was like, 'for f--k's sake.' The invasion by any homogenized culture is so depressing, the erection of another Disney World in, say, Umbria, Italy, more so. It strangles the indigenous culture and narrows expression of life."

This was intended for Bowie's 1995 album, Outside. An early rough mix with different lyrics ("I'm afraid of the animals" instead of "Americans") appeared on the soundtrack to Showgirls that year before landing on the Earthling album.

This was Bowie's final entry on the Hot 100 while still alive ("Blackstar" and "Lazarus" hit the chart after his death from liver cancer in 2016). The song also peaked at #14 in Canada.