With this LP, Bowie made a sudden and jolting step in a new direction, shedding his glam rock past and exploring Philadelphia soul with backing from a young Luther Vandross. Young Americans contained his first number one hit in the U.S., "Fame", co-written with John Lennon (who also contributed backing vocals), and work from one of Bowie's favourite guitarists and band members, Carlos Alomar.

Track listing

1. "Young Americans" – 5:10
2. "Win" – 4:44
3. "Fascination" (Bowie, Luther Vandross) – 5:43
4. "Right" – 4:13
5. "Somebody Up There Likes Me" – 6:30
6. "Across the Universe" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:30
7. "Can You Hear Me?" – 5:04
8. "Fame" (Bowie, Lennon, Carlos Alomar) – 4:12

CD releases

This album has been released on CD four times, with the first being by RCA in 1984, the second in 1991 by Rykodisc (containing three bonus tracks) on silver CD and later on AU20 Gold CD, the third in 1999 by EMI (featuring 24-bit digitally remastered sound and no bonus tracks). A fourth reissue with an accompanying DVD was released on March 19, 2007, in higher sound resolution and mixed in 5.1 surround sound, featuring the same bonus tracks as the Rykodisc release plus video footage from the Dick Cavett TV show.

The Rykodisc and 5.1 surround mixes both replace "Win", "Fascination", and "Right" with alternate mixes from 1974.

1991 reissue bonus tracks

9. "Who Can I Be Now?" – 4:35
10. "It's Gonna Be Me" – 6:29
11. "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" – 6:58

2007 Collector's Edition bonus tracks

9. "John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)"
10. "Who Can I Be Now?"
11. "It's Gonna Be Me" (alternate version, with strings)
12. "1984" (live on The Dick Cavett Show, DVD only)
13. "Young Americans" (live on The Dick Cavett Show, DVD only)
14. "Dick Cavett Interviews David Bowie" (DVD only)

Personnel

• David Bowie – vocals, guitar, piano
• Carlos Alomar – guitar
• Mike Garson – piano
• David Sanborn – sax
• Willie Weeks – bass except on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Andy Newmark – drums except on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"

Additional personnel

• Larry Washington – conga
• Pablo Rosario – percussion
• Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Luther Vandross – background vocals
• John Lennon – vocals, guitar on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Earl Slick – guitar on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Emir Kassan – bass on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Dennis Davis – drums on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Ralph MacDonald – percussion on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Pablo Rosario – percussion on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Jean Fineberg – backing vocals on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"
• Jean Millington – backing vocals on "Across the Universe" and "Fame"

Charts

Certifications