Dodo
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now we can talk in confidence
Did you guess that we've been done wrong?
Lies jumped the queue to be first in line
Such a shameless design

He thinks he's well screened from the man at the top
It's a shame that his children disagree
They coolly decide to sell him down the line
Daddy's brainwashing time

He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me
He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me

She's quite enthralled with the childhood of yore
When a unit was a figure, not a she
When lovers chose each other, now the perks are due
Another memo to screw

She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me
She's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me

Can you wipe your nose, my child
Without them slotting in your file a photograph?
Can you sleep alone at night
Wake to find the scorching light of neighbor Jim?
He's come to turn you in

Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me




Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me
Another dodo, didn't hear it from me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in David Bowie's song Dodo describe people who are living in a world where lies, manipulation, and brainwashing are the norm. The first verse talks about how people are so used to being lied to that they have become shameless in their design to deceive others. The second verse talks about a man who thinks he is untouchable by those in power but his children are able to see through his lies and will eventually betray him. The chorus then introduces the concept of the "dodo," which in this case, is a person who is blindly following the lies and manipulation of those in power.


The third verse introduces a woman who longs for the simpler times when love was chosen over perks and a "unit" referred to a figure, not a gender. The fourth verse talks about how society is so controlled that even the act of wiping your nose or sleeping alone at night can be monitored and recorded by others. The chorus repeats the idea of the "dodo," suggesting that many people are unaware of the lies and manipulation that surround them.


Overall, Bowie's lyrics in Dodo paint a picture of a society that has lost its moral compass, where deception and manipulation are the norm, and people are blindly following those in power without questioning their motives.


Line by Line Meaning

Now we can talk in confidence
We can now speak freely and confidentially without any fear of being heard or overheard.


Did you guess that we've been done wrong?
Did you suspect or think that we have been unfairly treated or wronged?


Lies jumped the queue to be first in line
Deception and dishonesty took precedence over truth and honesty.


Such a shameless design
The deceitful behavior is a clear and deliberate strategy with no apologies or remorse.


He thinks he's well screened from the man at the top
He believes he is well-hidden and protected from scrutiny by those in charge.


It's a shame that his children disagree
Ironically, his own offspring does not share his views and turns against him.


They coolly decide to sell him down the line
They calmly and calculatedly choose to betray and sacrifice him for personal gain.


Daddy's brainwashing time
It is time for Daddy to be reeducated and influenced by his children's perspectives and opinions.


He's a dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me
He is ignorant and foolish, but it's a secret and you didn't hear it from me.


She's quite enthralled with the childhood of yore
She is captivated and bewitched by the memories and traditions of the past.


When a unit was a figure, not a she
In those days, a person was seen as a whole entity or entity, rather than just a gender label.


When lovers chose each other, now the perks are due
In the past, romantic partners would select each other based on mutual affection and feelings, but now people expect something in return.


Another memo to screw
Yet another directive or communication to undermine or sabotage.


Can you wipe your nose, my child
Are you capable of taking care of your basic hygiene, my offspring?


Without them slotting in your file a photograph?
Without anyone surreptitiously taking a photo of you and adding it to your personal record?


Can you sleep alone at night
Can you rest in peace and security by yourself during nighttime?


Wake to find the scorching light of neighbor Jim?
Wake up to discover that your neighbor, Jim, is shining a bright and accusing light on you?


He's come to turn you in
He has come to report you or expose you to authorities.


Another dodo, no no, didn't hear it from me
Another person who lacks awareness or insight, but it's hush-hush and I had nothing to do with letting you know.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Dollysofi

Obsessed with this 😭😭🥺🤚🏼

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