Teenage Wildlife
David Bowie Lyrics
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With its promise of something hard to do
A real-life adventure
Worth more than pieces of gold
Blue skies above, sun on your arms
Strength in your stride and hope in those squeaky-clean eyes
(Hope in those squeaky-clean eyes)
You'll get chilly receptions everywhere you go
Blinded with desire, I guess the season is on
So you train by shadow boxing, search for the truth
But it's all, but it's all used up
Break open your million-dollar weapon and push your luck
Still you push, still you push your luck
A broken-nosed mogul are you
One of the new-wave boys
Same old thing in brand, new drag
Comes sweeping into view, whoa, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe
As ugly as a teenage millionaire
Pretending it's a whizz-kid world
You'll take me aside, and say
"Well, David, what shall I do?
They wait for me in the hallway"
I'll say, "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways"
But they move in numbers and they've got me in a corner
I feel like a group of one
No, no, they can't do this to me
I'm not some piece of teenage wildlife
(Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife)
Those midwives to history put on their bloody robes
And the word is that the hunted one is out there on his own
And you're alone for maybe the last time
And you breathe for a long time
Then you howl like a wolf in a trap and you daren't look behind
You fall to the ground, like a leaf from a tree
And look up, one time, at that vast blue sky
Scream out of line as they shoot you down
No, no, I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife
I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife
(Ooh, not a piece teenage wildlife
Ooh, not a piece of teenage wildlife)
And no one will have seen and no one will confess
The fingerprints will prove that you couldn't pass the test
There'll be others on the line, filing past, who'll whisper low
"I miss you," he really had to go
Well, each to his own, he was another piece of teenage wildlife
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
'Nother piece of teenage wildlife
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
'Nother piece of teenage wildlife
(Ooo, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
(Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
"Teenage Wildlife" is one of David Bowie's songs discussing the characteristics of the music industry and criticising the trends that dominated the industry during his era. In the song, Bowie highlights the desire of some artists to gain quick success and fame without taking the time to develop their art. He addresses the young artists' lack of life experience and their eagerness to become part of the industry. Bowie suggests that being a true artist requires a deep understanding of oneself and the world, and emphasizes that these qualities are unlikely to be found among young artists who lack the patience to develop.
The lines "Well, how come you only want tomorrow? With its promise of something hard to do, a real-life adventure worth more than pieces of gold" is Bowie questioning the intentions of young musicians who are only focused on getting through tomorrow, without focusing on the process or the experience. Bowie is advising them to take a step back and focus on the essential aspects of being an artist, which is the experience.
Furthermore, Bowie criticises what he sees as the phoniness of the music industry, portrayed in the lines "As ugly as a teenage millionaire, Pretending it's a whizz-kid world." In a world where people aspire to be rich and famous for the sake of being rich and famous, Bowie suggests that true artists should not buy into the industry's superficial image but should focus on their art.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, how come you only want tomorrow?
Why are you always focused on the future without appreciating the present?
With its promise of something hard to do
The uncertainty of the future is what drives you
A real-life adventure
You seek challenge and excitement in life
Worth more than pieces of gold
Money is not as valuable as the experiences you have
Blue skies above, sun on your arms
You feel free and alive under the open sky
Strength in your stride and hope in those squeaky-clean eyes
You feel invigorated and optimistic about the future
(Hope in those squeaky-clean eyes)
Even though you may be naive, you still have faith in what's to come
You'll get chilly receptions everywhere you go
People will not always be welcoming to your idealistic views
Blinded with desire, I guess the season is on
Your passion for adventure and change guides you, even if it may not always be rational
So you train by shadow boxing, search for the truth
You prepare yourself by practicing to understand the world
But it's all, but it's all used up
Your efforts don't always lead to success
Break open your million-dollar weapon and push your luck
Use everything at your disposal to strive for more
Still you push, still you push your luck
You're determined to succeed despite the odds
A broken-nosed mogul are you
You're a successful figure, but have been through hardships
One of the new-wave boys
You embrace new ideas and ways of thinking
Same old thing in brand, new drag
Your message is the same, but you present it in a different way
Comes sweeping into view, whoa, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe
You introduce your ideas in a bold and impressive way
As ugly as a teenage millionaire
You don't aspire to be rich and superficial; you want to make a difference
Pretending it's a whizz-kid world
The world is full of young people like you who have the potential to make things better
You'll take me aside, and say
You come to me for advice and guidance
"Well, David, what shall I do?
You're unsure of how to navigate the challenges ahead
They wait for me in the hallway"
You feel pressured by those who want to see you succeed
I'll say, "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways"
I don't have all the answers, and can't always guide you in the right direction
But they move in numbers and they've got me in a corner
You feel overwhelmed and outnumbered by those who oppose you
I feel like a group of one
You feel isolated in your beliefs and ideas
No, no, they can't do this to me
You won't let others bring you down or change your belief in yourself
I'm not some piece of teenage wildlife
You won't be reduced to a superficial stereotype of young people
(Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife)
You won't let anyone treat you as such
Those midwives to history put on their bloody robes
Those in power who have shaped history have done so via violent means
And the word is that the hunted one is out there on his own
Those who go against the norm are often ostracized by society
And you're alone for maybe the last time
You feel isolated and unsure of whether anyone else shares your beliefs
And you breathe for a long time
You pause to reflect on your life and beliefs
Then you howl like a wolf in a trap and you daren't look behind
You let out a cry of defiance and refuse to look back
You fall to the ground, like a leaf from a tree
You feel defeated and vulnerable
And look up, one time, at that vast blue sky
You see the possibility of hope and success
Scream out of line as they shoot you down
You refuse to go down without a fight and make your voice heard
No, no, I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife
You refuse to let others define you by your age or stage in life
(Ooh, not a piece teenage wildlife
Ooh, not a piece of teenage wildlife)
You won't let anyone put you in a box
And no one will have seen and no one will confess
No one will acknowledge or take responsibility for the challenges you face
The fingerprints will prove that you couldn't pass the test
You will bear the negative consequences of the challenges you face, even if they're not your fault
There'll be others on the line, filing past, who'll whisper low
Others in your position will face the same challenges you do
"I miss you," he really had to go
Others will lament the loss of potential and could-have-beens
Well, each to his own, he was another piece of teenage wildlife
Everyone is their own person and has the potential to make their own impact
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Another young person trying to make their mark
'Nother piece of teenage wildlife
Another young person seeking adventure and change
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
A reminder of the wildness and potential of youth
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Celebrating the energy and spirit of young people
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
A call to embrace the passion and drive of youth
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
An anthem for young people who want to make a difference in the world
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
A reminder that youth is fleeting and should be cherished
Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
A celebration of youthful ideals and passion
(Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife
Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Embracing the energy, spirit, and potential of young people
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DrJKintobor
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