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)
Dead Man Walking
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tears his eyes from the screen
As his past puts him back in Atlantic City
There's not even a demon in Heaven or Hell
Is it all just human disguise
As I walk down the aisle
And I'm gone, gone, gone (gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality)
Let me dance away (until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
Now I'm wiser than dreams (losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
Let me fly, fly, fly (spin slack through reality)
While I'm touching tomorrow (dance my way, falling up through the years)
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
And I know who's there (losing breath underwater when I'm gone, gone, gone)
When silhouettes fall (spinning slack through reality)
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Three old men dancing under her lamp lights
Shaking their sex in the bones
And the boys that we were
An alien nation in therapy
Sliding naked, anew
Like a bad tempered child
On the rain slicked streets
And I'm gone, gone, gone (gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality)
Now I'm older than movies (dance my way, falling up through the years)
Let me dance away (until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
Now I'm wiser than dreams (losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
Let me fly, fly, fly (spin slack through reality)
While I'm touching tomorrow (dance my way, falling up through the years)
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
And I know who's there (losing breath underwater when I'm gone, gone, gone)
When silhouettes fall (spinning slack through reality)
And I'm gone
(Gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality)
(Dance my way, falling up through the years)
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
(Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
(Spinning slack through reality)
(Dance my way, falling up through the years)
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
(Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
(Spinning slack through reality)
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
Like a dead man walking
And I'm gone, gone, gone
(Gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality)
(Dance my way, falling up through the years)
Let me dance, dance, dance (until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
(Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
And I'm gone, gone, gone (Spinning slack through reality)
(Dance my way, falling up through the years)
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
Let me dance, dance, dance (losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
(Spinning slack through reality)
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
The lyrics of David Bowie's song "Dead Man Walking" present a mixture of nostalgia, regret, and a yearning for escape. The singer of the song is reflecting on his past and present, feeling disconnected from reality and searching for a way to break free from the constraints of the human experience. The reference to Atlantic City possibly suggests a longing for a time or place that is no longer attainable. The words "There's not even a demon in Heaven or Hell / Is it all just human disguise" suggest a disillusionment with the idea of an afterlife or any other form of salvation.
The chorus of "Gone, gone, gone, spinning slack through reality" can be interpreted as the singer's attempt to distance himself from his current reality and transcend it. He seeks to dance his way through time and space, to touch tomorrow and break free from the restrictions of the past. In this way, he sees himself as a "dead man walking" - someone who is alive but feels disconnected from life itself.
The song is a reflection of Bowie's own experiences with fame and addiction, and his struggles to reconcile his past and present selves. It is a poignant exploration of the human condition, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can still find hope and meaning in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
He swivels his head
The singer is distracted and looks away.
Tears his eyes from the screen
He stops watching something, possibly a movie or TV show.
As his past puts him back in Atlantic City
Some memory or association he has brings him back to a specific place, being Atlantic City.
There's not even a demon in Heaven or Hell
There is nothing evil or nefarious enough to describe the situation he finds himself in.
Is it all just human disguise
He questions whether life is simply a façade or disguise that humans put on.
As I walk down the aisle
The singer is physically moving, possibly in a church aisle.
And I'm gone, gone, gone (gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality)
He is lost in thought, almost as if he is spinning out of control in his own mind.
Now I'm older than movies (dance my way, falling up through the years)
He feels like he has lived a long life and has memories that are older than most movies.
Let me dance away (until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
He wants to escape reality and dance his way through life.
Now I'm wiser than dreams (losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone)
He believes that his experiences have made him wiser than the fleeting and insubstantial nature of dreams.
Let me fly, fly, fly (spin slack through reality)
He wants to soar and be free, almost as if he is leaving reality behind.
While I'm touching tomorrow (dance my way, falling up through the years)
He wants to live in the moment but always have an eye on the future.
(Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
He will always eventually come back to reality, but he wants to fly away again when he can.
And I know who's there (losing breath underwater when I'm gone, gone, gone)
Even when he is lost and feeling like he is drowning, he still knows who cares for him.
When silhouettes fall (spinning slack through reality)
When things become unclear and hazy, he still knows who is important and who is not.
And I'm gone
He continues to feel disconnected and lost.
Like I'm dancing on angels
He feels as light and free as if he is dancing on clouds.
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
He is moving through time and leaving past experiences behind.
Like a dead man walking
He feels lifeless and disconnected from reality.
Three old men dancing under her lamp lights
He sees three old men enjoying life and having fun, even under dim lighting.
Shaking their sex in the bones
These men are living life to the fullest and showing off their youthful spirit.
And the boys that we were
He reminisces about his youth.
An alien nation in therapy
He feels out of place and disconnected from the world.
Sliding naked, anew
He feels like he is reborn, as if he has nothing to hide.
Like a bad tempered child
He is feeling a sense of frustration and anger.
On the rain slicked streets
He is walking through the rain and feeling the effects of the weather.
Let me dance, dance, dance (until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly)
He wants to keep dancing and escaping reality until he has to come back.
And I'm gone
He continues to feel disconnected and lost, almost like he is a ghost.
Like a dead man walking
He feels as if he is not truly living.
Like a dead man
He feels like his body is going through the motions without any real life or emotion.
Like a dead man walking
He is constantly feeling this sense of disconnection and not truly being present in the world.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Robert Jones, Reeves C. Gabrels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henrique Ramos
"Dead Man Walking"
Released: April 1997
[Verse 1]
He swivels his head
Tears his eyes from the screen
As his past puts him back in Atlantic City
There's not even a demon in Heaven or Hell
Is it all just human disguise
As I walk down the aisle
[Pre-Chorus]
And I'm gone, gone, gone
[Gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality]
Now I'm older than movies
[Dance my way, falling up through the years]
Let me dance away
[Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly]
Now I'm wiser than dreams
[Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone]
Let me fly, fly, fly
[Spin slack through reality]
While I'm touching tomorrow
[Dance my way, falling up through the years]
And I know who's there
[Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly]
[Losing breath underwater when I'm gone, gone, gone]
When silhouettes fall
[Spinning slack through reality]
[Chorus]
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
[Refrain]
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
[Verse 2]
Three old men dancing under her lamp lights
Shaking their sex in the bones
And the boys that we were
An alien nation in therapy
Sliding naked, anew
Like a bad tempered child
On the rain slicked streets
[Pre-Chorus]
And I'm gone, gone, gone
[Gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality]
Now I'm older than movies
[Dance my way, falling up through the years]
Let me dance away
[Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly]
Now I'm wiser than dreams
[Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone]
Let me fly, fly, fly
[Spin slack through reality]
While I'm touching tomorrow
[Dance my way, falling up through the years]
And I know who's there
[Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly]
[Losing breath underwater when I'm gone, gone, gone]
When silhouettes fall
[Spinning slack through reality]
[Chorus]
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
[Refrain]
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
Like a dead man walking
[Pre-Chorus]
And I'm gone, gone, gone
[Gone, gone, gone spinning slack through reality]
[Dance my way, falling up through the years]
Let me dance, dance, dance
[Until I swivel back round then I fly, fly, fly]
And I'm gone
[Losing breath underwater well I'm gone, gone, gone]
Let me dance, dance, dance
[Chorus]
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through the crack in the past
[Refrain]
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
Produced By David Bowie
Written By Reeves Gabrels & David Bowie
Album EARTHLING (1997)
Eric’s a human.
He swivels his head
Tears his eyes from the screen
As his past puts him back in Atlantic City
There's not even a demon in Heaven or Hell
Is it all just human disguise?
As I walk down the aisle
Gone gone gone spinning slack through the end?
Deadens? my brain falling up through the years
Till I swivel back round then I fly fly fly
Losing breath from the water then I'm gone gone gone
And I'm gone gone gone
Now I'm older than movies
Let me dance away
Now I'm wiser than dreams
Let me fly fly fly
While I'm touching tomorrow
And I know who's there
When silhouettes fall
And I'm gone
Like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone through a crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Three old men dancing under the lamplight
Shaking their sex and their bones
And the boys that we were
An alien nation in therapy
Sliding naked and new
Like a bad tempered child
On a rain slicked street
Gone gone gone spinning slack through the end?
Deadens? my brain falling up through the years
Till I swivel back round then I fly fly fly
Losing breath from the water then I'm gone gone gone
And I'm gone
And I'm gone, like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone, through the crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
Like a dead man walking
And I'm gone gone gone
Let me dance dance dance
And I'm gone gone gone
Let me dance dance dance
And I'm gone, like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone, through a crack in the past
And I'm gone, like I'm dancing on angels
And I'm gone, through a crack in the past
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man walking
Like a dead man
Like a dead man walking
laci
I’m so happy these videos are finally getting put on YouTube! The earthling era is very underrated and I’m happy people are getting to see more of it! David would be proud ❤️
Tim Barton
Earthling is as good as anything Bowie did in the '70s. I think it may be better than some of the EMI stuff.
Ania Amok 65
And Jones, too. 🤪😉😘
marielee5
I loooooooove how Bowie constantly pushed against boundaries..... he always did his own thing! Spoke his truth! And I love his VISION! His creative frequency! I love his distorted view! His music has NO label, genre or category! Bowie is Bowie, pure and simple 💙💛🙏
Angela Heiterbiswolkig
Danke für deine Worte. Ja, das hat er immer beibehalten. Sogar sein Sohn hat bei der Ansprache (Preisverleihung posthum für Blackstar) betont, dass sein Vater immer für das Anderssein eingestanden ist und unterstützt hat. Siehe auch Klaus Nomi, den hat er auch dem großen Publikum vorgestellt. Auch er war ein geniales Unikat mit der gleichen Message. RIP an beide
Hemny
Earthling is such an underrated album. Honestly it's one of his best, such a shame nobody ever talks about it
Andres M
Man, I found out about Bowie way too late. Just 2 years ago, I started getting into him and the moment of shock I had when I googled him and realized he was no longer with us. I really wish he was still here with us today, almost his 75th birthday. I will be going to the Bowie shop in NY tomorrow and I can't wait to see what's great things they could have there.
PLove AK
Besser spät als nie Andres 👍⚡
The Spelled Milk
I saw they were having the stores in NY. Wanted to go, but won't get the baJ. Afraid I wouldn't get in without registration of baJ. Lmk how it was.
Watching moving Velvet Goldmine, you might like it. Amazing film.
Andres M
@The Spelled Milk Went today and it was nice, you don’t need anything to go in with but a mask of course because of covid restrictions. Also, bring a lot of money because some stuff may cost a lot but there are a few things that are affordable. I got guitar picks and playing cards. The store was nice but a bit small, and they could’ve added a few more things. Overall 8/10