Oh! You Pretty Things
David Bowie Lyrics

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Wake up, you sleepy head
Put on some clothes, shake up your bed
Put another log on the fire for me
I've made some breakfast and coffee
Look out my window, what do I see
A crack in the sky and a hand reaching down to me
All the nightmares came today
And it looks as though they're here to stay

What are we coming to?
No room for me, no fun for you
I think about a world to come
Where the books were found by the golden ones
Written in pain, written in awe
By a puzzled man who questioned
What we were here for
All the strangers came today
And it looks as though they're here to stay

Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things)
Don't you know you're driving your
Mamas and papas insane?
Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things)
Don't you know you're driving your
Mamas and papas insane?
Let me make it plain
Gotta make way for the Homo Superior

Look out at your children
See their faces in golden rays
Don't kid yourself, they belong to you
They're the start of the coming race
The earth is a bitch
We've finished our news
Homo Sapiens have outgrown their use
All the strangers came today
And it looks as though they're here to stay

Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things)
Don't you know you're driving your
Mamas and papas insane?
Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things)
Don't you know you're driving your
Mamas and papas insane?
Let me make it plain
Gotta make way for the Homo Superior

Overall Meaning

The song 'Oh! You Pretty Things' by David Bowie is a psychedelic anthem that highlights the arrival of a new generation of human beings, the Homo Superior, who will replace Homo Sapiens as the dominant species. The lyrics suggest that the human race is gradually becoming obsolete, and only those individuals who adapt to the new order will survive. The song also features a sense of urgency, as if Bowie is warning people to wake up and embrace this change before it's too late.

The opening lines, "Wake up, you sleepy head / Put on some clothes, shake up your bed," are a call to action, urging listeners to prepare for what is to come. Bowie describes a "crack in the sky" and "all the nightmares" coming at once. This could be interpreted as an apocalypse or some kind of societal upheaval. Bowie goes on to suggest that the books of the future will be written by "the golden ones," who have evolved to a higher state of being, and who will lead us to a brighter future.

The chorus repeats the titular refrain of "Oh, you pretty things," and suggests that while the Homo Sapiens may be losing their grip on reality, the Homo Superior will thrive, driving their "Mamas and Papas insane." The song ends with a final plea to "make way for the Homo Superior" and an acknowledgment that the earth is changing.

Overall, 'Oh! You Pretty Things' is a powerful statement on the evolution of humanity and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.

Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, you sleepy head
It's time to stop being idle.

Put on some clothes, shake up your bed
Get dressed and be productive.

Put another log on the fire for me
Please add some fuel to the fire I've started.

I've made some breakfast and coffee
I've prepared some food and drink for us.

Look out my window, what do I see
I see something unexpected outside.

A crack in the sky and a hand reaching down to me
There's a surreal event happening, like a tear in the fabric of reality.

All the nightmares came today
All my worst fears have come true.

And it looks as though they're here to stay
It seems like these nightmares will be permanent.

What are we coming to?
What is happening to us?

No room for me, no fun for you
We're being unfairly constrained and denied enjoyment.

I think about a world to come
I ponder the future of humanity.

Where the books were found by the golden ones
A future society where knowledge is controlled by a privileged few.

Written in pain, written in awe
The knowledge and stories contained within those books would evoke strong emotions.

By a puzzled man who questioned What we were here for
The author was unsure of humanity's purpose.

All the strangers came today
Unfamiliar people have arrived on the scene.

And it looks as though they're here to stay
It appears they are planning to remain for a while.

Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things) Don't you know you're driving your Mamas and papas insane?
The beautiful and attractive young people are causing their parents to become crazy.

Let me make it plain Gotta make way for the Homo Superior
We need to clear the path for an advanced human species to take over.

Look out at your children See their faces in golden rays
Observe your offspring and bask in their goodness.

Don't kid yourself, they belong to you They're the start of the coming race
Don't be fooled, your children are your responsibility and are the beginning of the next generation of humanity.

The earth is a bitch We've finished our news
The earth is angry and we have caused enough destruction.

Homo Sapiens have outgrown their use
Our species has become obsolete.

All the strangers came today And it looks as though they're here to stay
Once again, unfamiliar people have arrived and it seems like they will be sticking around for a while.

Oh, you pretty things (oh, you pretty things) Don't you know you're driving your Mamas and papas insane?
The attractive and charming youth continue to cause their parents to lose their minds.

Let me make it plain Gotta make way for the Homo Superior
Reiterating the idea that a more advanced human species will take over and we need to make room for them.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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