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)
Boys Keep Swinging
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The clouds part for ya
Nothing stands in your way
When you're a boy
Clothes always fit ya
Life is a pop of the cherry
When you're a boy
When you're a boy
When you're a boy
Other boys check you out
You get a girl
These are your favorite things
When you're a boy
Boys
Boys
Boys keep swinging
Boys always work it out
Uncage the colors
Unfurl the flag
Luck just kissed you hello
When you're a boy
They'll never clone ya
You're always first on the line
When you're a boy
When you're a boy
You can buy a home of your own
When you're a boy
Learn to drive and everything
You'll get your share
When you're a boy
Boys
Boys
Boys keep swinging
Boys always work it out
In "Boys Keep Swinging," David Bowie explores the idea of masculinity and the privileges that come with being a man. The opening lines, "Heaven loves ya / The clouds part for ya / Nothing stands in your way / When you're a boy" suggest that everything comes easy for men, as if they have been given a special pass in life.
Bowie goes on to describe some of the benefits of being male, such as having clothes that always fit and being able to wear a uniform. He also discusses the idea that being a boy means that other boys will check you out and that it is easy to get a girl. These lyrics illustrate the way in which society values masculinity and emphasizes the importance of fitting into traditional gender roles.
The chorus, "Boys keep swinging / Boys always work it out" suggests that men are able to handle any situation and that they are constantly on the move, always pushing forward. Overall, the song presents a somewhat tongue-in-cheek commentary on the way in which masculinity is valued and celebrated in our culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven loves ya
You are lucky and blessed.
The clouds part for ya
Everything seems to be going well for you.
Nothing stands in your way
You have no obstacles you cannot overcome.
When you're a boy
Being male brings with it certain privileges and advantages.
Clothes always fit ya
You always look good, as clothes are designed for your body type.
Life is a pop of the cherry
Life is exciting and full of new experiences.
You can wear a uniform
You have access to a wide range of clothing options, including uniforms.
Other boys check you out
Male attractiveness is valued and admired by other males.
You get a girl
Being male makes it easier to attract and pursue romantic relationships with women.
These are your favorite things
These are some of the benefits and joys of being male.
Boys
Males in general.
Boys keep swinging
Males are resilient, adaptive, and can overcome challenges with strength and energy.
Boys always work it out
Males are resourceful and can find solutions to problems.
Uncage the colors
Be bold, expressive, and free in your self-expression.
Unfurl the flag
Show your patriotism and pride in your country.
Luck just kissed you hello
You're starting off on the right foot and have good fortune in your life.
They'll never clone ya
You're unique and irreplaceable.
You're always first on the line
You have advantages and privileges that put you ahead of others.
You can buy a home of your own
You have the financial means and stability to own property.
Learn to drive and everything
As a male, you have access to driving and all the freedom and opportunities that come with it.
You'll get your share
Being male ensures that you'll have access to your fair share of opportunities and rewards.
Boys
Males in general.
Boys keep swinging
Males are resilient, adaptive, and can overcome challenges with strength and energy.
Boys always work it out
Males are resourceful and can find solutions to problems.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie, Brian Eno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ciocan Flavius
Lyrics:
Heaven loves ya
The clouds part for ya
Nothing stands in your way
When you're a boy
Clothes always fit ya
Life is a pop of the cherry
When you're a boy
When you're a boy
You can wear a uniform
When you're a boy
Other boys check you out
You get a girl
These are your favourite things
When you're a boy
Boys
Boys
Boys keep swinging
Boys always work it out
Uncage the colours
Unfurl the flag
Luck just kissed you hello
When you're a boy
They'll never clone ya
You're always first on the line
When you're a boy
When you're a boy
You can buy a home of your own
When you're a boy
Learn to drive and everything
You'll get your share
When you're a boy
Boys
Boys
Boys keep swinging
Boys always work it out
Robin Garrison
The man had it all: good looks, great voice, cool sense of fashion, slick moves on the dance floor & incredible creativity. RIP unforgettable David Bowie.
Dolores
I've only just recently seen some of his interviews and he was also so smart and so pleasant.
Robin Garrison
@Dolores Can't forget that he was well-mannered & intelligent, also! Thanks for reminding me. Be safe.
Simo-Pekka Sunila
1979
Philip Marson
and a great sense of humour
EAST COAST SAILING CENTER
silent cry from me when they cremated his body .....
mitch
Can we just appreciate his dancing like I'm living
William Sherry
Great fun talent love it
Laura Bowden
Ru Paul is quaking
Stardust Treasures
Sarah Seneviratne, by far my favorite video of him dancing. Absolute love