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)
Fantastic Voyage
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that this fantastic voyage
Should turn to erosion
and we never get old
Remember it's true, dignity is valuable
But our lives are valuable too
We're learning to live with somebody's depression
We'll get by, I suppose
It's a very modern world,
but nobody's perfect
It's a moving world,
but that's no reason
To shoot some of those missiles
Think of us as fatherless scum
It won't be forgotten
'Cause we'll never say anything nice again, will we?
And the wrong words make you listen
In this criminal world
Remember it's true, loyalty is valuable
But our lives are valuable too
We're learning to live with somebody's depression
And I don't want to live with somebody's depression
We'll get by I suppose
But any sudden movement I've got to write it down
They wipe out an entire race and I've got to write it down
But I'm still getting educated but I've got to write it down
And it won't be forgotten
'Cause I'll never say anything nice again, how can I?
David Bowie’s song “Fantastic Voyage” speaks to the complexities of the modern world and the mental health issues that are commonly experienced within it. The opening lines of the song, “In the event that this fantastic voyage should turn to erosion and we never get old. Remember it's true, dignity is valuable but our lives are valuable too”, serve as a poignant reminder that no one is invincible, and that even the most fantastic journeys can come with pain and suffering. The author is acknowledging that life is fragile and that one's dignity and mental health can be just as important as one's life itself.
The line “We’re learning to live with somebody’s depression, And I don’t want to live with somebody’s depression” highlights the prevalent issue of mental health in today's society. Bowie sings about having to come to terms with other peoples' mental health issues and how difficult it can be. He refutes the idea of ignoring or abandoning someone with mental health problems and recognizes the importance of addressing them. There is an underlying theme of empathy and compassion, exemplified by the line, “Remember it's true, loyalty is valuable, But our lives are valuable too.” - Bowie is warning us not to ignore our own needs and self-worth at the expense of others.
The concluding lines, “And it won't be forgotten 'Cause I'll never say anything nice again, how can I?” are haunting. They give the impression that the world is deeply flawed, and that by retaining the memory of our experiences, we can ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. Bowie is encouraging listeners to observe the world around them, document their experiences, and hold onto the knowledge they gain from their journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
In the event
that this fantastic voyage
Should turn to erosion
and we never get old
Remember it's true, dignity is valuable
But our lives are valuable too
If our journey through life becomes challenging and difficult, and we feel we are losing our youthfulness and vigor, we must remember that while dignity is important, our own lives and wellbeing also hold significant value and worth.
We're learning to live with somebody's depression
And I don't want to live with somebody's depression
We'll get by, I suppose
It's a very modern world,
but nobody's perfect
We are trying to understand and coexist with people who suffer from depression, but personally, I do not want to be consumed by their sadness. We will continue anyway, for ours is a complex and evolving world, but we must acknowledge that no one is perfect.
It's a moving world,
but that's no reason
To shoot some of those missiles
Think of us as fatherless scum
It won't be forgotten
'Cause we'll never say anything nice again, will we?
Although our society is constantly changing and advancing, it is never a valid justification to use weapons and violence to create chaos and destruction. When we consider our fellow human beings as insignificant or worthless, the memory of our cruelty will remain etched in everyone's minds, and we will struggle to find compassion and kindness within ourselves.
And the wrong words make you listen
In this criminal world
Remember it's true, loyalty is valuable
But our lives are valuable too
We often hesitate to speak out against injustice in a world where criminal actions and behaviors are not uncommon. However, we must be mindful that our words hold power and can move others into action. While loyalty is an admirable trait, we must remember that our own lives should be valued just as much.
But any sudden movement I've got to write it down
They wipe out an entire race and I've got to write it down
But I'm still getting educated but I've got to write it down
And it won't be forgotten
'Cause I'll never say anything nice again, how can I?
Whenever I see any act of aggression, even if it is small, I must document it and keep a record. The atrocities committed against entire communities and ethnic groups must be remembered and kept alive. I will never be content to say something nice and kind after seeing and experiencing the horrors of the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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