Because You're Young
David Bowie Lyrics


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Psychodelicate girl
Come out to play
Little metal faced-boy
Don't stay away
They're so war-torn and resigned
She can't talk anymore
What are they trying to prove?
What would they like to find?

It's love back to front and no sides (like I say)
These pieces are broken (like I say)
These pieces are broken (oh, no, no, no, no, no)

Because you're young
You'll meet a stranger some night
Because you're young
What could be nicer for you?
And it makes me sad
So I'll dance my life away
A million dreams, a million scars

He punishes hard
Was loving her such a crime?
She took back everything she said
Left him nearly out of his mind
They're people I know, people I love
They seem so unhappy
Dead or alive

It's love back to front and no sides (like I say)
These pieces are broken (like I say)
These pieces are broken (oh, no, no, no)

Because you're young
You'll meet a stranger some night
Because you're young
What could be nicer for you?
And it'll makes me sad
So I'll dance my life away
A million dreams, a million scars

A million dreams
A million scars
A million
A million dreams
A million dreams
A million
A million




A million
A million

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Bowie's song "Because You're Young" are enigmatic and full of symbolism. The opening lines describe a "psychodelicate girl" and a "little metal faced-boy," two characters that illustrate the vulnerability and isolation of youth. The war-torn and resigned atmosphere suggests a world of conflict and confusion, where communication and meaningful relationships are difficult to achieve. The question "what are they trying to prove? what would they like to find?" hints at the existential angst and search for identity that people experience in their formative years.


The chorus highlights the contrast between the optimism and the sadness of youth. The line "because you're young, you'll meet a stranger some night, what could be nicer for you?" implies the excitement and adventure of encountering new people and experiences. However, the following line "and it makes me sad, so I'll dance my life away, a million dreams, a million scars" suggests that this joy is fleeting and comes at a cost. The repetition of "a million dreams, a million scars" emphasizes the bittersweet nature of youth, with its limitless potential and inevitable disappointments.


The final verse tells the story of a couple that is torn apart by the harsh realities of life. The line "he punishes hard, was loving her such a crime?" suggests that the man is abusive and controlling, taking out his frustrations on the woman he claims to love. The woman eventually leaves him, but the damage has already been done. The last lines "they're people I know, people I love, they seem so unhappy, dead or alive" convey the sadness and nostalgia of looking back on one's youth and the people who have been lost along the way.


Line by Line Meaning

Psychodelicate girl
A fragile girl, who may be prone to experiencing hallucinations or unusual thoughts


Come out to play
Step out of your comfort zone and experience new things


Little metal faced-boy
A young boy with a tough exterior, potentially masking vulnerability or emotion


Don't stay away
Don't be afraid to engage and interact with others


They're so war-torn and resigned
These people have been through hardship and struggle, and may feel defeated or hopeless


She can't talk anymore
Unable to express her thoughts or feelings, potentially due to trauma or psychological distress


What are they trying to prove?
Questioning the motives behind the actions of those around us


What would they like to find?
Wondering what others hope to achieve or discover


It's love back to front and no sides (like I say)
Love can be complicated and confusing, with no clear direction or solution


These pieces are broken (like I say)
The situation or relationship is beyond repair or has already suffered irreparable damage


These pieces are broken (oh, no, no, no, no, no)
Emphasizing the irreparable nature of the damage or loss


Because you're young
Being young can make you more susceptible to experiencing new things and taking risks


You'll meet a stranger some night
You never know who you might meet or what experiences you may have


What could be nicer for you?
Implying that the meeting of a stranger could lead to exciting, positive experiences


And it makes me sad
Reflecting on the fact that others' positive experiences can sometimes affect us negatively


So I'll dance my life away
Using dancing as a coping mechanism or distraction from negative emotions


A million dreams, a million scars
One can have many hopes and aspirations, but also many disappointments and wounds


He punishes hard
The man in question is harsh or severe in his treatment of others


Was loving her such a crime?
Questioning the validity or fairness of a relationship being punished or criticized by others


She took back everything she said
The woman in question reneged on promises or statements she made previously


Left him nearly out of his mind
The man in question is severely affected by the recent events or experiences


They're people I know, people I love
These situations involve those who are significant to the artist, and therefore have a personal impact


They seem so unhappy
The singer perceives a sense of discontent or sadness in those around them


Dead or alive
Whether someone is physically present or not, their impact can still be felt in one's life


A million
An abundance or multitude of something


A million dreams
Numerous aspirations, hopes and ambitions


A million scars
Countless emotional wounds or negative experiences




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

bully hunter

Psychodelicate girl
Come out to play
Little metal faced-boy
Don't stay away
They're so war-torn and resigned
She can't talk anymore
What are they trying to prove?
What would they like to find?

It's love back to front and no sides (like I say)
These pieces are broken (like I say)
These pieces are broken (oh, no, no, no, no, no)

Because you're young
You'll meet a stranger some night
Because you're young
What could be nicer for you?
And it makes me sad
So I'll dance my life away
A million dreams, a million scars

He punishes hard
Was loving her such a crime?
She took back everything she said
Left him nearly out of his mind
They're people I know, people I love
They seem so unhappy
Dead or alive

It's love back to front and no sides (like I say)
These pieces are broken (like I say)
These pieces are broken (oh, no, no, no)

Because you're young
You'll meet a stranger some night
Because you're young
What could be nicer for you?
And it'll makes me sad
So I'll dance my life away
A million dreams, a million scars

A million dreams
A million scars
A million
A million dreams
A million dreams
A million
A million
A million
A million



All comments from YouTube:

Andy2018 Wat

I loved the singles Fashion and Ashes to Ashes when they came out, but it took many more years to appreciate the brilliance of the Scary Monsters album. Better late than never.

gardini100

i like to think Bowie was a little ahead in time , song i found weird during the 90s sounds great to day

sal economos

Was in the same undecided boat on its arrival.
Not sure of the music when I first heard it except for the singles..

Its sounding much better today.

stephen fermoyle

it is interesting how so many BOWIE SONGS that never got released are true gems.

Rob Tyman

Agree. Think this track should have been a single.....maybe should have been released before Ashes to Ashes ...in other words the lead single from Scary Monsters.

stephen fermoyle

teenage wildlife

Michaela Scanlon

One of David Bowie's best tracks, full of life and melody.

Alison Shenton

YES AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT ❤️❤️🦋🌈 RIP DAVID BOWIE SLEEP WELL STARMAN

Bobby Delacroix

It took years to make the decision, but I finally consider Scary Monsters to be his best album. Every song is amazing and way ahead of it’s time. The guitar work by Fripp and Townsend add so much character to this stage of Bowie’s sound 🙌

Steven Mcgihon

I did it today.

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