Fashion
´óÎÀ.±«ÒÁ(David Bowie) Lyrics
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But I don't know it's name
That people from bad homes
Do again and again
It's big and it's bland
Full of tension and fear
They do it over there but we don't do it here
Fashion! Turn to the left
Fashion! Turn to the right
Oooh, fashion!
We are the goon squad
And we're coming to town
Beep-beep
Beep-beep
Listen to me - don't listen to me
Talk to me - don't talk to me
Dance with me - don't dance with me, no
Beep-beep
There's a brand new talk,
But it's not very clear
That people from good homes
Are talking this year
It's loud and tasteless
And I've heard it before
You shout it while you're dancing
On the whole dance floor
Oh bop, fashion
[Chorus:]
Listen to me - don't listen to me
Talk to me - don't talk to me
Dance with me - don't dance with me, no
Beep-beep
Beep-beep
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
La-la la la la la la-la
The song Fashion by David Bowie is a commentary on the fickle and superficial nature of the fashion industry and how it permeates through society. The first verse describes a new dance that is popular amongst people from "bad homes" and how it is full of tension and fear. The chorus then commands the listener to turn to the left and then to the right, as if giving them directions on how to engage with fashion. The second verse talks about a new talk that is being spoken among people from "good homes" and how it's loud and tasteless.
Bowie is essentially mocking the way in which society blindly follows trends and fads without critically thinking about what they are really engaging with. The constant repetition of "beep-beep" could represent the robotic nature of the fashion industry, where people mindlessly follow the trends set out by fashion designers. The song seems to be saying that fashion is ultimately meaningless and people should focus on individuality and expression rather than just following what is currently "in".
Line by Line Meaning
There's a brand new dance
There is a new movement or trend
But I don't know it's name
But I am not sure what it is called
That people from bad homes
That those who come from difficult or troubled backgrounds
Do again and again
Repetitively engage in this behavior
It's big and it's bland
The trend is widespread and generic
Full of tension and fear
There is an atmosphere of anxiety and apprehension surrounding it
They do it over there but we don't do it here
This trend is present in some places but not in others
Fashion! Turn to the left
Follow the trend and do as it commands
Fashion! Turn to the right
You must conform to the trend, do not resist
Oooh, fashion!
Fashion is enticing and tempting
We are the goon squad
The group promoting this trend is intimidating or threatening
And we're coming to town
They are bringing this trend to this location
Listen to me - don't listen to me
Pay attention to my words, or ignore them completely
Talk to me - don't talk to me
You can speak to me, but I may not respond or listen
Dance with me - don't dance with me, no
I may want you to join me in the trend, but you may choose not to
There's a brand new talk,
There is a new way of speaking
But it's not very clear
It is difficult to understand or comprehend
That people from good homes
Those from privileged or ‘good’ backgrounds
Are talking this year
Are joining in on the new conversational trend this year
It's loud and tasteless
The trend is garish and lacks refinement
And I've heard it before
It is not new or groundbreaking to me
You shout it while you're dancing
The trend is shouted or exclaimed while participating in it
On the whole dance floor
It is a trend that many are engaging in
Oh bop, fashion
Fashion is a playful and frivolous thing
La-la la la la la la-la
Nonverbal repetition, could be interpreted as a beat or chorus
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.