Bowie developed an interest in music from an early age. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. "Space Oddity", released in 1969, was his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of Bowie's single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted towards a sound he characterised as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK fans but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. In 1977, he again changed direction with the electronic-inflected album Low, the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that came to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise.
After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had three number-one hits: the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure" (a 1981 collaboration with Queen). He achieved massive commercial success in the 1980s starting with Let's Dance (1983). Between 1988 and 1992, he fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine before resuming his solo career in 1993. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also continued acting; his roles included Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with The Next Day. He remained musically active until his death from liver cancer at his home in New York City. He died two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).
During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In the UK, he was awarded ten platinum, eleven gold and eight silver album certifications, and released 11 number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and nine gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie
Studio albums
David Bowie (1967)
David Bowie/Space Oddity (1969)
The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Pin Ups (1973)
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
"Heroes" (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Let's Dance (1983)
Tonight (1984)
Never Let Me Down (1987)
Black Tie White Noise (1993)
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
Outside (1995)
Earthling (1997)
Hours (1999)
Heathen (2002)
Reality (2003)
The Next Day (2013)
Blackstar (2016)
87 And Cry
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lover's secrets in the UK
Torn apart in the UK
In the dribble of May-Day
'87 and Cry
'87 and Cry
And there's nothing inside
And there's nothing in mind
Rocket on through the sky
It couldn't be done without dogs
It couldn't be once without us
'87 and Cry
'87 and Cry
When the days were the days were the days boys
When blue ties were for the biggy guys
Frannie dressing down for the enemy
You saw him hangin' on the enemy
And there's no one in love
And there's nowhere to scream
And only you
Race on to wonder where
It couldn't be done without dogs
It couldn't be once without us
'87 and Cry
'87 and Cry
You can't make love with money
You can't make mistakes with babies
Nothing looked good on you
That's how I liked you best
Now you're ready for the real McCoy
Deep in the heart of Cupid
Murders on the heels of love
Just the ghost of a story
Just a one dollar secret
Baby these were the sounds
Baby these were the sounds
And only you
Whisper these things aren't true
It couldn't be done with dogs
It couldn't be once without us
'87 and Cry
'87 and Cry
David Bowie’s song “87 And Cry” is a melancholic and introspective piece that explores themes of loss, loneliness, and nostalgia. The song begins with the lyrics “It's just a one dollar secret, a lover's secret in the UK,” which convey a sense of intimacy and secrecy. The next line, “Torn apart in the UK,” suggests that this secret has caused some kind of separation, possibly a breakup or a falling out. The reference to “May-Day” adds a political and historical context to the song, perhaps referencing the protests and riots that occurred in the UK during the 1980s.
As the song continues, the chorus repeatedly chants “’87 and Cry,” which implies that this year holds significant emotional weight for the singer. The lines “And there's nothing inside, and there's nothing in mind, and only you, rocket on through the sky” suggest feelings of emptiness and aimlessness, as though the singer is searching for meaning or direction. The next verse introduces a character named Frannie, who is possibly an old friend or lover. The line “Frannie dressing down for the enemy” implies a sense of rebellion or defiance, and the phrase “saw him hangin' on the enemy” adds a somber and violent undertone.
The song ends with the lines “Deep in the heart of Cupid, murders on the heels of love, just the ghost of a story, just a one dollar secret.” These lines suggest a sense of tragic love and loss, and the references to Cupid and ghosts reinforce the idea that the song is steeped in nostalgia and longing. Overall, “87 And Cry” is a haunting and introspective song that uses vivid imagery and poetic language to explore complex emotions and themes.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just a one dollar secret
This is a small, insignificant secret that doesn't have much value or weight.
A lover's secrets in the UK
The song is discussing an undisclosed, romantic relationship that may be happening secretly in the UK.
Torn apart in the UK
The relationship mentioned in the previous line may have ended or been disrupted in some way while in the UK.
In the dribble of May-Day
May Day is traditionally associated with the start of summer and the celebration of spring, but in this song it is portrayed as a negative, monotonous occasion.
'87 and Cry
The phrase is repeated throughout the song and is likely a reference to the year the song was written (1987) and how it was a difficult or emotional time.
And there's nothing inside
The subject of the song may be feeling empty or lacking in some way.
And there's nothing in mind
The subject may also be experiencing some kind of mental block, preventing them from thinking or feeling much at all.
And only you
Despite feeling lost or alone, the subject is still clinging to their feelings for the person mentioned earlier.
Rocket on through the sky
This could be interpreted as a metaphor for feeling isolated or disconnected from those around you.
It couldn't be done without dogs
This line is likely meant to be intentionally cryptic, but could be interpreted as alluding to the fact that some difficult things cannot be accomplished alone.
It couldn't be once without us
This line is similar to the previous one and implies that the subject is part of a larger group, and that they rely on each other to accomplish things.
When the days were the days were the days boys
This line could be referencing the past, when things were simpler and easier to understand.
When blue ties were for the biggy guys
This is likely a reference to class differences and the ways in which clothing can signify social status.
Frannie dressing down for the enemy
This could be interpreted as shorthand for someone dressing in a way that is unconventional or goes against social norms.
You saw him hangin' on the enemy
This line is somewhat unclear, but could be interpreted as witnessing someone doing something that is perceived as 'wrong' or going against the norm.
And there's no one in love
This could be interpreted as an all-encompassing statement about the world, or it could be more specific to the song's subject matter and imply that the person feels alone in their unrequited love.
And there's nowhere to scream
This line could be interpreted as feeling helpless or trapped in one's emotions.
Race on to wonder where
This line is somewhat cryptic and could be interpreted in different ways, but could suggest a longing or desire to move on or leave one's current situation behind.
You can't make love with money
This line implies that love cannot be bought or purchased, but must be earned through genuine feelings and actions.
You can't make mistakes with babies
This line is somewhat unclear in its meaning, but could imply that mistakes must be avoided when dealing with something or someone innocent or vulnerable.
Nothing looked good on you
This could be interpreted as a description of the person the subject is fixated on, or it could be a more general statement about feeling uninspired or bored by various aspects of life.
That's how I liked you best
This line suggests that the subject appreciates the person they are fixated on for their simplicity or lack of pretense.
Now you're ready for the real McCoy
This line implies that the person the subject likes has changed in some way and is now more sophisticated or prepared for their life.
Deep in the heart of Cupid
This phrase alludes to the mythological Cupid, who was associated with love and romantic desire.
Murders on the heels of love
This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the darker aspects of romantic desire or the ways in which love can be destructive.
Just the ghost of a story
This line could be interpreted in different ways, but may imply that the subject is fixated on a relationship that never fully materialized or is uncertain.
Baby these were the sounds
This line is somewhat unclear, but could be interpreted as a reference to musical culture or trends of the time.
Whisper these things aren't true
This line implies that the subject is trying to convince themselves that their feelings are not real or valid.
'87 and Cry
This phrase continues to appear throughout the song and underscores the idea that the year in question was difficult or emotional.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DrJKintobor
on I Can't Give Everything Away
I can totally imagine this being the end theme of Sabrina Online, when Sabrina marries Richard and they drive off into the sunset...
Peter Bonney
on Diamond Dogs
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