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David Bowie — Panic In Detroit
Album: Aladdin Sane
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3253









Released: 1974
Length: 4:17
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Ooh

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
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
Panic in Detroit
Panic in Detroit

Ow
Comments (292)add comment
I went to a concert at the Fox Theater in Detroit to see this band several yrs back
The first title the band played was Panic in Detroit
The band really was warmed up when they came out and kicked it out of Detroit 
One my favorite concerts I had the opportunity to see
Posted 2 weeks ago by ccmimager1    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

  Mick!


Ziggy?
Posted 9 months ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:


i love that, too. i wish i knew who they were. same who did backup for Gimme Shelter?

Juanita "Honey" Franklin and Linda Lewis. Merry Clayton sang on Gimme Shelter.

Posted 9 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Yes Panic in Detroit yesterday and today ! Let'g go Niners !
Posted 9 months ago by Sbed    [ Reply ]
Fantastic
And so was he..
Posted 10 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
What I picture in a song called "Panic In Detroit":
 
Panic in Detroit, hear the engines die
The sound of silence in the assembly line
Boardrooms filled with whispers, charts that tell decline
Once kings of an empire, now on borrowed time
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 1wolfy wrote:

So awesome...the incredible screaming of the background singers !



i love that, too. i wish i knew who they were. same who did backup for Gimme Shelter?
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
just loved this superstar....
Posted 1 year ago by linnex-    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

Go Mick Ronson. Go!




Yes!  And also a great bass line too!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

  Mick!


oh yes!  

love this one!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Go Mick Ronson. Go!
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
My favorite early David Bowie tune!   Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
So awesome...the incredible screaming of the background singers !
Posted 1 year ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

Alain : still sitting in Schwartz’s …. Where Are you?


Don't know where he is but,
Sitting in Tampa......jealous!
Posted 1 year ago by Bakaretsu    [ Reply ]

That gawddamned Kevin Bacon is evrywhar...
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Alain : still sitting in Schwartz’s …. Where Are you?
Posted 1 year ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
 Easyrider wrote:

Solid 10✌️



Permanent 10.    
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
OMG - love this version!! And love Schwartz’s!! RP event in Montreal in August? (When I’m going)
Posted 2 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
Alain - I grew up in Westmount. Schwarz’s? For best in the world smoked meat and bagels? Aaah- Schwarz’s smoked meat, full on (don’t give me the medium or heaven forbid lean (blecch) with fries, a half-sour, and a Cotts black Cherry. Best artery clogging meal on God’s great earth.
Posted 2 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]



Posted 2 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]


Mick Ronson on guitar!!!!

Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Excellent!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 deniseperry wrote:

Prophetic or what?




Posted 2 years ago by avereaiii590    [ Reply ]
Prophetic or what?
Posted 2 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
Solid 10✌️
Posted 3 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

Alain - I grew up in Westmount. Schwarz’s? For best in the world smoked meat and bagels?



True Dat!
Posted 3 years ago by Bakaretsu    [ Reply ]
Alain - find me on LI - Only Morton in Portland who graduated from Queen’s
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
Alain - I grew up in Westmount. Schwarz’s? For best in the world smoked meat and bagels?
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from Cars ‘Moving in Stereo’ BillG !!!
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
 Montreal_Mort wrote:
Can you believe David died 5 years ago today? Wish we had 11 ...
 
Why do I read your name and think  'bagels'....  
Posted 3 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
Now that is an intro........
Posted 3 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
Can you believe David died 5 years ago today? Wish we had 11 ...
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
Any song that opens with "Ooh" and ends with "Ow" is a potential banger and this one obviously delivers
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
10 !
Posted 3 years ago by Montreal_Mort    [ Reply ]
46 years ago recorded about today....  how prophetic!!!
still not my favorite bowie.
Posted 4 years ago by mikedgreene    [ Reply ]
 meatmike wrote:
I hereby discount all negative comments regarding this amazing song. You should hear it live.
 
If only I still could!
Posted 4 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
I hereby discount all negative comments regarding this amazing song. You should hear it live.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
 chinaski wrote:
Yes! When freeform FM radio ruled the airwaves! Yes to WGTB-FM! Thank you Bill!
 
Good ol GTB.  Another icon of the DC music.  When it ROCKED.
Posted 4 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Ooooh, Mick Ronson on guitar? 

He never got much acclaim. 

 

Apparently he never got much money from Bowie either.    Lowest paid guitarist outside of the Holiday Inn lounge.
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
View post on imgur.com
Posted 4 years ago by SiriusPlissken    [ Reply ]
Alladin Sane was my high school shop class instructor's name...
Posted 4 years ago by StfuDonny    [ Reply ]
Drove past Detroit during that time. Tanks were rolling on the Interstate!
Posted 4 years ago by onerb    [ Reply ]
How appropriate for today!
Posted 4 years ago by Lenora    [ Reply ]
Hitting the right groove nerve as we deal with the pandemic. Up to 10 from a 9
Posted 4 years ago by jmddj    [ Reply ]
Freakin A! 

Mick Ronson on guitar!
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Don't panic...Keep calm...... & toilet paper has nothing to do with Covid 19...Relax .
Posted 4 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 johnalexford wrote:
...this is the third time in a week I have hard this song. 
 
The horror.  The horror.
Posted 4 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 johnalexford wrote:
I'm a BIG Bowie fan, but come on, RP...this is the third time in a week I have hard this song. 
 

Most UK rock stations would play tracks three times a day; it may depend on which RP Mix you listen to - only been listening for three months (mostly on Main Mix) and have only heard two repeated songs in the time. 
Posted 4 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the worst Bowie songs.
 
One of my FAVORITE Bowie songs.  

Reminds me of a college girlfriend who was in love with Aladdin Sane, and tolerated the irresponsible young man I was at that time. 

(Boy, am I glad she rejected my marriage proposal!   I would have derailed her life so badly ...)
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
What an opening line! Gotta love Bowie!!!
Posted 4 years ago by LoudshirtsBand    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the worst Bowie songs.
 

There are a couple "worse" songs than this.
Posted 4 years ago by Splabble    [ Reply ]
Just doesn't sound thought through. Like the first draft of an album filler.
Posted 4 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the worst Bowie songs.
 

I guess it proves the point, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I can think of a lot of worse Bowie songs than this. I lost interest in Bowie in the latter stages of his career but always respected his talent and influence in music.
Posted 5 years ago by atmanv1    [ Reply ]
Prescient. And '5 Years' is more apropos now then when it was written.
Posted 5 years ago by memoryboxer    [ Reply ]
This song just cooks. Always has, always will. 
Posted 5 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the best Bowie songs.
 
Fixed.  Thanks friend.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
One of the worst Bowie songs.
Posted 5 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 chinaski wrote:
Yes! When freeform FM radio ruled the airwaves! Yes to WGTB-FM! Thank you Bill!
 

WGTB. 41 years ago I ran into Ken Sleaman(sp?) in the Maryland Food Coop cooler.  How odd was that!
Posted 5 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
I'm a BIG Bowie fan, but come on, RP...this is the third time in a week I have hard this song. 
Posted 5 years ago by johnalexford    [ Reply ]
Yes! When freeform FM radio ruled the airwaves! Yes to WGTB-FM! Thank you Bill!
Posted 5 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:
So what exactly is Bowie saying about the '67 riot in Detroit?
 
I'd always heard these lyrics were based on descriptions Iggy Pop (who is from the Detroit area) had told Bowie about the '67 riots.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Ooooh, Mick Ronson on guitar? 

He never got much acclaim. 

Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Love the rythm and percussion behind. Still on 10 cause 11 is not possible ;)
Posted 6 years ago by calispera    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing this right after The Orb, what a relief! {#Sunny}
Posted 6 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
Love the song, but a bit overplayed lately? There are other great Bowie tunes too.
Posted 6 years ago by dphogan250    [ Reply ]
So what exactly is Bowie saying about the '67 riot in Detroit?
Posted 6 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
Hearing these mad raucous guitar slashes made me think of Blue Oyster Cult's fab masterpiece "Astronomy;" same time period, too... 
Posted 6 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
So, picture it.  Me, friends, in a really nice space.  Downtown to Detroit to Olympia to hear David - waiting for Panic in Detroit, I mean, in Detroit.  Waited, waited, never came.  He decided that night to be a crooner and ditch Ziggy.  Rats.  Still giving the tune an 8.  Dressed like this on Halloween 1974. 
Posted 7 years ago by marklaw    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}As a young man, this songs intro ranked very high with me....still enjoy it !
Posted 7 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
meh
Posted 7 years ago by Schmoogsley    [ Reply ]
"Panic in Detroit" is a song written by English singer David Bowie for the album Aladdin Sane in 1973. Bowie based it on friend Iggy Pop's descriptions of revolutionaries he had known in Michigan. It is also interpreted as being written about the 1967 Detroit riots. Rolling Stone magazine called the track "a paranoid descendant of the Motor City's earlier masterpiece, Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run"".
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 hayduke2 wrote:
Excellent Artist in so many ways



 
Looks a lot like Che Guevara.
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
Bill didn't let us Sat niters down!!
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:

 You've arrived on a rather special night. It's one of the master's affairs.

 
Hey mom what's for dinner?  Oh no, not meatloaf again!
Posted 7 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:

Frank n Furter before the change. 

 
 You've arrived on a rather special night. It's one of the master's affairs.
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list_item/mick-ronson-20101202/mick-ronson.jpg  Mick!

 
Frank n Furter before the change. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
10 for sure,,,,,,
Posted 7 years ago by Rusty_Cables    [ Reply ]
It is hard to understand how one man could make so much great music.
Posted 8 years ago by GTT    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

Beg to differ. To each his own. Just pushed it from 9 to 10 after seeing your comment.  {#Bananajam} {#Bounce}

 
Ditto here
Posted 8 years ago by chris_the_man    [ Reply ]
10
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
I keep clicking the 10 button but the overall rating does not go up.   It still says 7.2.  Shome mishtake, shurley?
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 whomhow wrote:
It's just awful... 3->2.

 
Beg to differ. To each his own. Just pushed it from 9 to 10 after seeing your comment.  {#Bananajam} {#Bounce}
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
My folks moved to Detroit when I was in college, and this was on the radio constantly, it really rocks. you always want to turn up early Bowie loud and clear.
Posted 8 years ago by mudman8    [ Reply ]
Bill's dealing again
this set is rockin'
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Hard to understand the rating on this one. Such strong arrangement and production and such powerful performances. And unique! Unlike any other track I can think of. Special appreciation for the ultra-dense percussion and riveting guitar work. IMO, this one stands out in the amazing Bowie catalog, at least among the hard edged tracks.
Posted 8 years ago by boontonite    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
Bowie at his best and yes that guitarist kicks arse!

 
  Mick!
Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
So much love for Bowie and his legacy
Posted 8 years ago by Ishwara    [ Reply ]
Bowie at his best and yes that guitarist kicks arse!
Posted 8 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
It's time to celebrate Bowies life and all the good stuff and great spirit he left behind. Your imagination is the limit.
Posted 8 years ago by hugogdt    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Sorrow in Detroit.

 
And all over the world.
Posted 8 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
RIP indeed.The world is no longer the same.No more Bowie music.
Posted 8 years ago by kretinburger    [ Reply ]
R.I.P. David.  Your creative genius will always be appreciated and hugely missed.  Thanks for the memories.
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Excellent Artist in so many ways


Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
One of a kind. We were lucky to have him on earth while we did.
Posted 8 years ago by leafmold    [ Reply ]
Sorrow in Detroit.
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]

I used to work in the late 70's with this meathead ex-Marine at GE designing nuclear power plant components. At the time there was some pointless riot somewhere in the US - can't remember the incident- and I said to my scurrilous jinker pal 'Deadboy', "I bet there's a panic in Detroit too!" Just a little joke, to pass the time.  Mr. Meathead overheard my remark and wheeled around, totally sincerely saying something like "No kidding! THIS COUNTRY IS COMING APART AT. THE. SEEEEMS!" How correct he was, but never knew it. There were so many people high on so many kinds of drugs then; I can't remember them all, but Bowie was the soundtrack, drongos!


Posted 9 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:

Sloggy:

I like the way you do business. 

 
Absolutely! Speaking as a lawyer and Doctor of Divinity, there's a right way to handle matters like that and Slogggy choose the RIGHT WAY!
Posted 9 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
It's just awful... 3->2.
Posted 9 years ago by whomhow    [ Reply ]
This still rawks.
Great song, great album.
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
No need to panic in Detroit (even when you find yourself drunk out of your skull with a girl you just met being presented with an $800 bill because the rest of your group, whom you only know 1 of,  bailed when the birthday girl threw up at the bar).  Just dodge the bouncers, hide in the Limo and call the girl who's birthday it is to round everyone else up.  Thanks for the free night out in the end MGM Grand. 

 
Sloggy:

I like the way you do business. 
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 GTT wrote:
Can someone please explain to me how David Bowie's music can possibly be so good?  I guess what I mean is that all of the greatest R&R music seems to be made by bands, not by one person with backing musicians.  Did he write all of this wonderful music by himself?

 
Simple answer, IMHO, Bowie is a musical omnivore and a brilliant composer and singer who also happens to have been smart enough and/or lucky enough to have brought into his orbit an incredible array of wonderful musicians over the years to support him on his records and tours.



Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 DD gypsyman wrote:
After thorough Googling, I am more confused than ever. Apparently, Alomar played on the Isolar tour, in Springfield, in 1796, after getting canned by Bowie's managent just after the Young Americans tour, in 1975, which came out right before the Station to Station tour. Stevie Ray Vaughn was gonna take the reigns after that, but it never happened.

So, it looks like Alomar played the live tour, and Ronson played the studio version. Help! 

 
Stevie didn't come into Bowie's orbit until 1982, shortly before the recording of the Let's Dance record on which Stevie played and for which Nile Rodgers was musical director, taking the role previously held by Alomar and before him Ronson.

Things didn't work out for Stevie or Nile to tour with Bowie on the Serious Moonlight tour supporting Let's Dance, so Carlos was back again as rhythim guitar player and band leader, with the great Staten Islander Earl Slick taking over on lead guitar.
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Can someone please explain to me how David Bowie's music can possibly be so good?  I guess what I mean is that all of the greatest R&R music seems to be made by bands, not by one person with backing musicians.  Did he write all of this wonderful music by himself?
Posted 10 years ago by GTT    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
No need to panic in Detroit (even when you find yourself drunk out of your skull with a girl you just met being presented with an $800 bill because the rest of your group, whom you only know 1 of,  bailed when the birthday girl threw up at the bar).  Just dodge the bouncers, hide in the Limo and call the girl who's birthday it is to round everyone else up.  Thanks for the free night out in the end MGM Grand. 

  wow
Posted 10 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
No need to panic in Detroit (even when you find yourself drunk out of your skull with a girl you just met being presented with an $800 bill because the rest of your group, whom you only know 1 of,  bailed when the birthday girl threw up at the bar).  Just dodge the bouncers, hide in the Limo and call the girl who's birthday it is to round everyone else up.  Thanks for the free night out in the end MGM Grand. 
Posted 10 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 unclehud wrote:

Fabulously wry lyrics, done with literacy, compelling percussion, and rocking guitar work.  One of dozens of underrated Bowie tunes.





I find myself playing this over and over from my vinyl- it just defines an era somehow. Outstanding performance by Ronson! What a hook!!

Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]

{#Eek}  Detroit really is in a panic.

 

(it went bankrupt)

 


Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
you'd think, since I built this bleeding amp, I'd have put in a special Bowie volume setting. Next time.
Posted 10 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
After thorough Googling, I am more confused than ever. Apparently, Alomar played on the Isolar tour, in Springfield, in 1796, after getting canned by Bowie's managent just after the Young Americans tour, in 1975, which came out right before the Station to Station tour. Stevie Ray Vaughn was gonna take the reigns after that, but it never happened.

So, it looks like Alomar played the live tour, and Ronson played the studio version. Help! 
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Mick Ronson at his god-like best. Ranked # 64 by Rolling Stone as Top 100 guitaristas of all time. This was considered his seminal performance.

This was the set March 31st, Springfield Auditorium, Massachusetts, 1976:

Station to Station
 
Suffragette City
 
Fame
 
Word on a Wing
 
Stay
 
I'm Waiting for the Man
(The Velvet Underground cover)
Queen Bitch
 
Life on Mars?
 
Five Years
 
Panic in Detroit
 
Changes
 
Rebel Rebel
 
Diamond Dogs
 
TVC15
 
The Jean Genie

 


Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Panic is back in Detroit. With the city government teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, there's real fear that the city will be forced to sell off some of the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts to meet creditors' demands. 

Anybody want a Van Gogh? 
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]

Fabulously wry lyrics, done with literacy, compelling percussion, and rocking guitar work.  One of dozens of underrated Bowie tunes.


Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Astonishing album.  Still stands up to it today.  Godlike artist.
Posted 11 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 gypsyman wrote:

Carlos Alomar was the guitarist.

 
Sorry but it was the Spiders on this.... not bad for a boy from Hull!

Personnel David Bowie – guitar, harmonica, keyboards, saxophone, vocalsMick Ronson – guitar, piano, vocalsTrevor Bolder – bass guitarMick "Woody" Woodmansey – drumsAdditional personnel Mike Garson – pianoKen Fordham – saxophoneBrian "Bux" Wilshaw – saxophone, fluteLinda Lewis – backing vocalsJuanita "Honey" Franklin – backing vocalsG.A. MacCormack – backing vocals
Posted 11 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
Thought I was headed out on errands in the Honda but apparently stumbled into my time machine by mistake. They do look very similar. Oh well, like they say: when in Detroit...
Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
 Shouc wrote:
Is this a reference to the current Panic in Detroit and the installation of the Technocrat who has usurped the power of city council?
 
No(I know you were kidding)
It is a reference to his time with Iggy Pop while in Detroit 
Posted 11 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Absolutely
 
Carlos Alomar was the guitarist.
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Is this a reference to the current Panic in Detroit and the installation of the Technocrat who has usurped the power of city council?
Posted 11 years ago by Shouc    [ Reply ]