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Criminal World
David Bowie Lyrics


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You never told me of your other faces
You were the widow of a wild cat
And now I know about your special kisses
And I know you know where that's at
I guess I recognize your destination
I think I see beneath your makeup
What you want is so separation
This is no ordinary
This is no ordinary

(Oh, oh, oh)
What a criminal world
The boys are like baby-faced girls
What a criminal girl
She'll show you where to shoot your gun
What a typical mother's son
The only thing that she enjoys
Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys

You've got a very heavy reputation
But no-one knows about your low-life
I know a way to find a situation
And hold a candle to your high-life disguise
You caught me kneeling at your sister's door
That was no ordinary stick-up
I'm well aware just what you're looking for
I am no ordinary
I am no ordinary

(Oh, oh, oh)
What a criminal world
The boys are like baby-faced boys
What a criminal girl
She'll show you where to shoot your gun
What a typical mother's son
The only thing that she enjoys
Is a criminal world
Where the girls are like baby-faced boys
Baby-faced boys
Baby-face
What a criminal world
What a criminal
Criminal
What a criminal world
What a criminal

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Bowie's "Criminal World" talk about a woman who is seen in different lights by different people - a "widow of a wild cat" who also has "other faces" and "special kisses". The singer of the song seems to have caught on to her schemes and understands that all she wants is "separation" from the ordinary world. The refrain talks about the "criminal world" where boys look like "baby-faced girls" and girls look like "baby-faced boys", which is a metaphor for a world where gender roles and identities are blurred, and where people are not what they appear to be.


On a deeper level, the song could be seen as a commentary on the nature of identity and the masks we wear to get what we want. The woman in the song may represent a certain type of person who is willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead, even if it means lying, cheating or tricking others. The singer may be someone who has seen through her façade and is no longer willing to be a part of her scheme.


Line by Line Meaning

You never told me of your other faces
You hid parts of yourself, and didn't share them with me or anyone else


You were the widow of a wild cat
You were once attached to someone or something wild, and now that person/thing is gone


And now I know about your special kisses
I know about your intimate actions and behaviors


And I know you know where that's at
I know you're fully aware of the impact of those actions


I guess I recognize your destination
I realize your ultimate goal and what you're trying to achieve


I think I see beneath your makeup
I believe I understand who you truly are, beyond the surface level


What you want is so separation
You desire to be away from others and have a sense of individuality


This is no ordinary This is no ordinary
Whatever this is, it is not typical or average


What a criminal world The boys are like baby-faced girls
The world is full of deceitful people, and even the seemingly innocent ones can be dangerous


What a criminal girl She'll show you where to shoot your gun
This girl will lead you to trouble and teach you how to do bad things


What a typical mother's son The only thing that she enjoys Is a criminal world
Even the children of good people can end up getting involved in a criminal lifestyle


Where the girls are like baby-faced boys
Even the girls in this world are deceitful and dangerous


You've got a very heavy reputation
People think you're notorious and have a lot of baggage


But no-one knows about your low-life
Despite that reputation, there are still things about you that most people don't know


I know a way to find a situation And hold a candle to your high-life disguise
I have a way to expose your true self and reveal the lies you tell others about your life


You caught me kneeling at your sister's door That was no ordinary stick-up
You caught me doing something I shouldn't have been doing, and it was not a typical or casual occurrence


I'm well aware just what you're looking for
I know what you're searching for and what motivates your actions


I am no ordinary I am no ordinary
I am not like everyone else in this world


Baby-faced boys Baby-face
Even the seemingly pure-hearted boys can be corrupted in this world


What a criminal world What a criminal Criminal
This world is full of darkness and immorality


What a criminal world
This world is full of deceit and malice




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUNCAN JOHN BROWNE, PETER GODWIN, SEAN MICHAEL LYONS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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