Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Sue
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sue, I got the job
We'll buy the house
You'll need to rest
But now we'll make it

Sue, the clinic called
The X-ray's fine
I brought you home
I just said home

Sue, you said you wanted writ
"Sue the virgin" on your stone
For your grave

Why too dark to speak the words?
For I know that you have a son
Oh, folly, Sue

Ride the train, I'm far from home
In a season of crime, none need atone
I kissed your face

Sue, I pushed you down beneath the weeds
Endless faith in hopeless deeds
I kissed your face
I touched your face
Sue, good-bye

Sue, I found your note
That you wrote last night
It can't be right
You went with him

Sue, I never dreamed
I'm such a fool
Right from the start
You went with that clown

Overall Meaning

In David Bowie's haunting ballad, "Sue," the singer pleads with his lover, Sue, as she lies dying. He tells her that he has gotten a job, and that they will now be able to buy a house and make it together. He also reassures her that the results from her X-ray are fine, but she needs to rest. Sue's final wish is that her gravestone reads "Sue the virgin." The singer wonders why she cannot speak the words herself, but then he remembers she has a son, and feels foolish for not understanding her situation sooner. The singer then describes riding a train, far from home and in a "season of crime, none need atone." He remembers kissing Sue's face and, in a tragic twist, admits to pushing her down beneath the weeds, expressing a sense of futility in pursuing hopeless deeds. He concludes with a final goodbye to Sue, who has left him for another man.


Line by Line Meaning

Sue, I got the job
I have secured employment, Sue.


We'll buy the house
We will purchase a home.


You'll need to rest
You require rest, Sue.


But now we'll make it
However, we will manage to handle it.


Sue, the clinic called
Sue, the medical facility phoned.


The X-ray's fine
The X-ray appears normal.


I brought you home
I escorted you to our place of residence.


I just said home
I merely uttered that word: home.


Sue, you said you wanted writ
You mentioned that you want the term written, Sue.


"Sue the virgin" on your stone
Specifically, 'Sue the virgin' should be inscribed on your gravestone.


Why too dark to speak the words?
For what reason is it too bleak to verbalize the terms?


For I know that you have a son
Since I am aware that you have a son.


Oh, folly, Sue
Oh, Sue, what a foolish decision.


Ride the train, I'm far from home
I am travelling via train, and it is a long distance from where I live.


In a season of crime, none need atone
During a period of wrongdoing, there is no reason to repent.


I kissed your face
I affectionately kissed your countenance.


Sue, I pushed you down beneath the weeds
Sue, I forced you down into the vegetation.


Endless faith in hopeless deeds
I have unwavering confidence in futile actions.


I touched your face
I gently caressed your visage.


Sue, good-bye
Farewell, Sue.


Sue, I found your note
Sue, I discovered your message.


That you wrote last night
Which you composed last evening.


It can't be right
It cannot be true.


You went with him
You departed with him.


Sue, I never dreamed
I never thought it was possible, Sue.


I'm such a fool
I am a complete idiot.


Right from the start
From the very beginning.


You went with that clown
You left with that buffoon.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Bowie, Paul Bateman, Bob Bhamra, Maria Schneider

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@MrJazzCollector

I love love love Maria Schneider.  The musicians behind this are all amazing.   

Maria Schneider: Arranger, Conductor
Donny McCaslin: Tenor Soloist
Ryan Keberle: Trombone Soloist
 
Jesse Han: Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute
David Pietro: Alto Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax
Rich Perry: Tenor Sax
Donny McCaslin: Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax 
Scott Robinson: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet
 
Tony Kadleck: Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
Greg Gisbert: Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
Augie Haas: Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
Mike Rodriguez: Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
 
Keith O'Quinn: Trombone
Ryan Keberle: Trombone
Marshall Gilkes: Trombone
George Flynn: Bass Trombone, Contrabass Trombone
 
Ben Monder: Guitar
Frank Kimbrough: Piano
Jay Anderson: Bass
Mark Guiliana: Drums



All comments from YouTube:

@Missjunebugfreak

Man Bowie's voice in this song is tremendously heartbreaking and beautiful. His phrasing is so excellent and reminds me of Scott Walker, another singer I really love.

@Rayquesto

He covered Scott walkers Nite Flights, a cover I love.

@ryan-fb9dk

the two were admirers of each others work, theres a clip somewhere of scott wishing bowie happy birthday

@mazieferreira7757

This video is visually stunning. And as much as this song is beautiful in its dark and haunting qualities, it is still hard for me to listen to Bowie's Black Star. After all these years it is still heartbreaking for me...

@sarawang1257

I love this arrangement more than the one in the album.

@jakobks1

me2

@lakj333

Same

@stevencowie7151

Two sides. Both fit their formats.

@joebowieaddick

He promised to never bore us, and he's kept to his word... Love it!

@Piltribus

never bored himself :)

More Comments

More Versions