Panic in Detroit Lyrics

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
Panic in Detroit
I asked for an autograph

He wanted to stay home
I wish someone would phone

Panic in Detroit

[Verse 2]
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


[Chorus]
Panic in Detroit
I asked for an autograph
He wanted to stay home
I wish someone would phone
Panic in Detroit

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About

Genius Annotation

The song is inspired by late-night stories about the Detroit 1967 riots told to Bowie by Iggy Pop. The 5-day riot was one of the worst in American history. Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed, more than 7,000 arrests made, some 500 people were injured, and 43 people were killed. It gave rise to several radical groups including The White Panther party. When Bowie returned to England in early 1973 from his US tour with The Stooges, he wrote and recorded the song, making the lyrics less of a lesson in history and more of a surreal narrative of urban paranoia and failed revolution.

The song follows the wild proto-punk rock of the Stooges but is leavened by non-standard chord progressions. Congas and world percussion were dubbed in later because the drummer refused to do the Bo Diddley Beat that guitarist Mick Ronson and Bowie desired. Linda Lewis of “Rock-A-Doodle-Do” fame, provides wailing free-form vocals in the background.

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Credits
Produced By
Written By
Lead Vocals
Percussion
Lead guitar
Recorded At
Trident Studios, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London, England
Release Date
April 13, 1973
Panic in Detroit Live Performances
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