Four singles were released from Aladdin Sane: “The Jean Genie” (released in late ‘72 prior to the full album and purportedly based on Iggy Pop), the doo-woppy “Drive-In Saturday,” the show-tuney “Time,” and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” Not released but really great is “Panic in Detroit” melding soaring lyrics over a conga drum Bo Diddley beat. “Panic” was also influenced by Iggy: Bowie supposedly based it on Pop’s Detroit’s stories of 60′s riots and revolutionaries.

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
And 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

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