Everything Is You
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ba-da ba-da ba-da
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh

Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh
I'm walking down the middle of the road
Close my eyes pretend I'm going home
But when I look between the forest boughs
I see your eyes as buzzing bees and painted butterfly your dress
I look around and everything is you

Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh

Wake up each morning rise up from my bed
A little piece of leather 'round my head
To stop the sweat from dimming up my eyes
I feel your grace in all the trees
Your strength is in the axe I wield
I look around and everything is you

Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh

The foreman is an evil guy
He stops my pay
Gets in my way
But I've got to stay

I've got to earn some money
Make your dreams come true
I look 'round and everything is you

Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh

Cut three miles of timber and I'm tired
I guess that I've been thinking all the while
Showed your picture to the guys in the gang
Whilst sitting 'round an open fire
The memories grow warm and strong
I look around and everything is you

Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
I look around and everything is you
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
I look around and everything is you
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh




Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh
Buh - duh - buh - duh - buh - duh

Overall Meaning

In this song, David Bowie is clearly expressing his deep love for someone. The repeated "buh-duh-buh-duh-buh" rhythm that runs throughout the song gives it a sense of movement, as if Bowie is walking or moving through his thoughts. In the first verse, he is physically walking and trying to imagine himself going home, but no matter where he looks, he sees reminders of his love. The forest boughs become his lover's eyes, and everything he sees is saturated with memories of her.


In the second verse, Bowie describes waking up and preparing for the day. His headband keeps his sweat at bay and allows him to concentrate. He then feels his lover's presence all around him, even in the axe he uses for work. He is forced to deal with an unpleasant foreman who causes problems, but Bowie is determined to overcome them and earn money to make his lover's dreams come true.


In the final verse, Bowie is tired after a long day of work but his thoughts are still consumed by his love. He shows her picture to his coworkers and the memories that come flooding back are both heartwarming and bittersweet. The final repetition of "buh-duh-buh-duh-buh" feels like a cycle, as if Bowie's love is all-encompassing and neverending. Overall, the lyrics express a deep sense of devotion and an almost mystical connection between the two lovers.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm walking down the middle of the road
I am aimlessly wandering through life


Close my eyes pretend I'm going home
I am searching for comfort in my own thoughts


But when I look between the forest boughs
When I take a closer look at the world around me


I see your eyes as buzzing bees and painted butterfly your dress
I see the beauty and magic of life all around me


I look around and everything is you
Your presence is everywhere in my life


Wake up each morning rise up from my bed
Starting a new day with fresh perspective


A little piece of leather 'round my head
Preventing the distractions and worries of the day


To stop the sweat from dimming up my eyes
To maintain focus and clarity of sight


I feel your grace in all the trees
I feel your presence and beauty in nature


Your strength is in the axe I wield
Your strength and guidance help me in my work


The foreman is an evil guy
My boss is difficult to work with


He stops my pay
He prevents me from reaching my goals


Gets in my way
He obstructs my path forward


But I've got to stay
I have no choice but to keep going


I've got to earn some money
I need to make a living


Make your dreams come true
I am striving to achieve my aspirations


Cut three miles of timber and I'm tired
I am physically and mentally exhausted


I guess that I've been thinking all the while
Reflecting on my life as I work


Showed your picture to the guys in the gang
Sharing memories of you with my friends


Whilst sitting 'round an open fire
Enjoying the simple things in life


The memories grow warm and strong
The love and memories I have of you give me strength


I look around and everything is you
Your influence and spirit are present in everything around me




Contributed by Brayden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Aurora De La Parra

Increíble ❤💙💞🎵❇️✳️🌺🎶 dicen BOWIE y salto como la rana de la boca de fresa 💗

SixtiesOnly

Top post Brian,there won't be many who've heard this before,most of his very early recordings have been ignored for years,shame there's some good stuff  there.

flatop47

Yes Rare One This....Thanks Mick

Beatles❤Girl

Who knew?! Amazing how far he went.

flatop47

Yes Amazing....Thanks Karen

Anorak Thing

Check out the version recorded by Scotland's Beatstalkers, who were managed by the same gent who looked after Bowie (Kenneth Pitt) and as a result released versions of three Bowie compositions that he never officially released himself.

Edwin Montesinos

Hello my baby, hello my honey
Hello my ragtime gal.

flatop47

Hello You

flatop47

(Rare) Dion And The Wanderers http://youtu.be/a69qn8bfy6g

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