Oh! You Pretty Things
´óÎÀ.±«ÒÁ(David Bowie) Lyrics
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Put on some clothes, shake up your bed
Put another log on the fire for me
Ive 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
You gotta make way for the homo superior
Look at your children
See their faces in golden rays
Don't kid yourself they belong to you
They're the start of a coming race
The earth is a bitch
Weve 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
You gotta make way for the homo superior
The lyrics of "Oh! You Pretty Things" by David Bowie are a thought-provoking commentary on the state of humanity and the evolution of the species. The opening lines of the song seem to suggest a sense of urgency, as the singer urges someone to wake up, get dressed, and put another log on the fire. The imagery of the hand reaching down from the crack in the sky and the arrival of nightmares suggests a sense of foreboding, as if something momentous is about to happen.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the state of the world and the possibility of a better future. The reference to books being found by the "golden ones" suggests a society that places value on knowledge and education. The emphasis on pain and awe suggests that this society may have been forged through struggle and sacrifice. The arrival of strangers and the repeated refrain of "oh you pretty things" suggest that the idea of a superior race or species is at the heart of the song.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most provocative, as the singer suggests that humans have outgrown their usefulness and need to make way for the "homo superior." The reference to children being the start of a coming race suggests that Bowie is thinking about the future of humanity and the possibility of a new species emerging. Overall, the song is a fascinating exploration of humanity's future and the potential for evolution and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up you sleepy head
Get out of bed, stop being lazy
Put on some clothes, shake up your bed
Get dressed and make your bed
Put another log on the fire for me
Add more wood to the fireplace
Ive made some breakfast and coffee
I prepared breakfast and coffee
Look out my window what do I see
Observing the view outside my window
A crack in the sky and a hand reaching down to me
Strange and possibly ominous phenomena is occurring
All the nightmares came today
All of my fears and worries have become reality
And it looks as though they're here to stay
These problems are not going away anytime soon
What are we coming to
What is happening to our world?
No room for me, no fun for you
There doesn't seem to be a place for anyone
I think about a world to come
Imagining a better future
Where the books were found by the golden ones
In a future world, the wise and enlightened are the ones who find knowledge
Written in pain, written in awe
The books are full of powerful emotions and thoughts
By a puzzled man who questioned What we were here for
The writer was confused about the meaning and purpose of life
All the strangers came today
Unexpected people have arrived
Oh you pretty things (oh you pretty things)
Referring to the people or things that have arrived
Don't you know you're driving your Mamas and papas insane
Your actions are causing stress and confusion for others
Let me make it plain
Let me be clear
You gotta make way for the homo superior
You must make room for the next level of human evolution
Look at your children
Examine your offspring
See their faces in golden rays
Appreciate the beauty and potential of your kids
Don't kid yourself they belong to you
Don't fool yourself into thinking you control their destiny
They're the start of a coming race
They are the beginning of a new era of humanity
The earth is a bitch
The planet is tough and unforgiving
Weve finished our news
We have exhausted our usefulness
Homo sapiens have outgrown their use
Humanity's time is up
Oh you pretty things (oh you pretty things)
Referring again to the next stage of evolution
Don't you know you're driving your Mamas and papas insane
Reiterating the stress caused by change and progress
Let me make it plain
Again, trying to clarify the message
You gotta make way for the homo superior
Humanity must make room for the next level of evolution
Contributed by Austin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.