David Bowie
Aladdin Sane Lyrics
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Swinging an old bouquet
Dead roses
Saki and strings divine
Uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh
You'll make it
Takes him away to war
Don't fake it
Sadden glissando strings
Uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh
You'll make it
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Battle cries and champagne just in time for sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Motor sensational
Paris or maybe hell
I'm waiting
Clutches of sad remains
Waits for Aladdin Sane
You'll make it
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Millions weep a fountain, just in case of sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Millions weep a fountain, just in case of sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
(See the lights all shining bright on Broadway)
[laughter]
The lyrics to David Bowie's Aladdin Sane tells a story of a young man, Aladdin, who is going off to war, leaving behind those who love him for the uncertain outcome of battle. The first stanza describes Aladdin dashing away with an old bouquet of dead roses. The saki and strings divine also symbolize his departure and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Despite the sadness and passionate young things trying to encourage him, there is a sense that they are urging him to be brave and not to fake it. The sadden glissando strings represent the sadness and uncertainty of his future.
The chorus repeats the question "Who will love Aladdin Sane?" and describes his departure as "battle cries and champagne just in time for sunrise." It's a poignant image of young men going off to war, living for the moment, but not knowing if they will come back. The lines "Motor sensational, Paris or maybe hell, I'm waiting" suggest that Aladdin is waiting for his destiny to unfold, not knowing if he will end up in Paris or in hell. The final stanza describes the "clutches of sad remains" waiting for Aladdin to return, with the hope that he will make it back home safely. The song ends with laughter, perhaps representing the bittersweet nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching him dash away
Swinging an old bouquet
Dead roses
Observing him depart with a bouquet of dead roses.
Saki and strings divine
Uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh
You'll make it
Exquisite Japanese rice wine and divine music will inspire you to succeed.
Passionate bright young things
Takes him away to war
Don't fake it
Enthusiastic and youthful people lead him into battle, and he must not pretend to be someone else.
Sadden glissando strings
Uh-uh-uh-uh, uh-uh
You'll make it
Melancholic and sliding sounds will point him in the right direction.
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Battle cries and champagne just in time for sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
He wonders if anyone will care for him amidst the turbulence of war and hedonistic partying.
Motor sensational
Paris or maybe hell
I'm waiting
An amazing motorbike ride is worth waiting for, whether it takes place in Paris or in hell.
Clutches of sad remains
Waits for Aladdin Sane
You'll make it
The memory of a tragic event still lingers, however, he believes he can overcome it.
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Millions weep a fountain, just in case of sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
He again contemplates whether anyone will love him, and recognizes that many may be crying out of fear of retaining hope in a chaotic world.
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Asking himself and others who will show him love and compassion.
Millions weep a fountain, just in case of sunrise
Who will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Will love Aladdin Sane?
Millions suffer and hope amidst a world filled with chaos, but he still yearns for someone to love him.
(See the lights all shining bright on Broadway)
[laughter]
Observing the bright lights of Broadway, he laughs at the thought of how grandiose it all seems.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.