Orangutangents

David Bowie Lyrics

Now I know I mentioned Bowie the other day briefly, and I'm still kinda sad that he's gone, but it's given me a bit of push to look not so much at the music or the man, but at his lyrics, something I'd never really done before in any detail. 

What I found was someone who's talent was utterly undeniable. I'm no Poet Laureate, but even I can appreciate the standard of some of his lyrics, and some of the lines he penned were just stunning in their quality and wordsmithery. 

Some of my favourites are listed below : 

For years and years I roamed, I gazed a gazeless stare.

We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was and when 

Although I wasn't there, he said I was his friend, which came as some surprise 

I spoke into his eyes 

"I thought you died alone, a long long time ago" 

Lyrics from "The Man Who Sold the World" and the Album: 'The Man Who Sold the World' (1970)  

(also done as a very brilliant cover by Nirvana on their MTV Unplugged album)

~

She had a horror of rooms, she was tired, you can't hide beat 

When I looked in her eyes, they were blue but nobody home.

She could've been a killer if she didn't walk the way she do, and she do 

She opened strange doors that we'd never close again 

She began to wail, jealousy scream, waiting at the light.

From Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" and the Album 'Scary Monsters' (1980) 

 ~

It's on America's tortured brow that Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow 

Now the workers have struck for fame, 'cause Lennon's on sale again.

See the mice in their million hordes 

From Ibeza to the Norfolk broads 

Rule Britannia is out of bounds 

To my mother, my dog and clowns.

From "Life on Mars?" and the Album 'Hunky Dory' (1971)  

~

Strung out on lasers and slash back blazers."

Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile 

She love him but just for a short while 

She'll scratch in the sand, won't let go his hand 

He says he's a beautician and sells you nutrition and keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear.

From "The Jean Genie" and the Album 'Aladdin Sane' (1973)

~

I will be king, and you, you will be queen.

Nothing will keep us together 

We can beat them for ever and ever 

We can be heroes, just for one day" 

From "Heroes" and the Album 'Heroes' (1977)  

~ 

Ever changing in life, timeless in Death: David Bowie, still a hero.