Released: August 29, 1977

Songwriter: David Bowie Ricky Gardiner Iggy Pop

Producer: The Bewley Brothers Mike Thorne David Bowie

[Verse 1]
Down where your paint is cracking
Look down your backstairs buddy
Somebody's living there and
He don't really feel the weather
And he don't share your pleasures
No, he don't share your pleasures
Did you see his eyes?
Did you see his crazy eyes?
And you're so surprised he doesn't run to catch your ash
Everybody always wants to kiss your trash

[Chorus]
And you can't help him, no one can
And now that he knows
There's nothing to get
Will you still place your bet
Against the Neighborhood Threat?

[Verse 2]
Somewhere a baby's feeding
Somewhere a mother's needing
Outside her boy is trying
But mostly he is crying
Did you see his eyes?
Did you see his crazy eyes?
And you're so surprised he doesn't run to catch your ash
Everybody always wants to kiss your trash

[Chorus]
But you can't help him, no one can
And now that he knows
There's nothing to get
Not in this place
Not in your face
Will you still place your bet
Against the Neighborhood Threat?

Iggy Pop

After his previous band, The Stooges collapsed, Iggy Pop (the stage name of James Newell Osterberg, Jr.) initially struggled to establish a solo career. Working with David Bowie in Berlin helped him produce The Idiot and Lust For Life, essential albums which made him a household name.