Fashion
David Bowie Lyrics


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There's a brand new dance but I don't know its name
That people from bad homes do again and again
It's big and it's bland full of tension and fear
They do it over there but we don't do it here

Fashion!
Turn to the left
Fashion!
Turn to the right
Oooh, fashion!
We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
Beep-beep, beep-beep

Listen to me, don't listen to me
Talk to me, don't talk to me
Dance with me, don't dance with me, no
Beep-beep

There's a brand new talk, but it's not very clear
Oh bop
That people from good homes are talking this year
Oh bop, fashion it's loud and tasteless and I've heard it before
Oh bop
You shout it while you're dancing on the ole dance floor
Oh bop, fashion

Fashion!
Turn to the left
Fashion!
Right
Fashion!
We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
Beep-beep
Beep-beep

Listen to me, don't listen to me
Talk to me, don't talk to me
Dance with me, don't dance with me, no
Beep-beep
Beep-beep

Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
La-la la la la la la-la

Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
La-la la la la la la-la

Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
La-la la la la la la-la

Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Oh, bop, do do do do do do do do




Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
La-la la la la la la-la

Overall Meaning

In David Bowie's song Fashion, the singer is commenting on the emptiness of the trendsetting culture of the time. He's stating that there are new dances and new trends that are being practiced by people from 'bad homes' and fashionable people are copying them, but they don't even know the names of these trends. This reflects how masses blindly follow every new trend without really understanding their significance. Bowie is implying through these lines that they've been influenced by others, and they don't even know the origin or the meaning of the trend. He further adds, with the chorus of the song, that they are the goon squad and they are coming to town, indicating that they are the ones who are setting the trends, and the people from 'good homes' or fashion followers are blindly following them.


In the second verse, Bowie states that there is new talk, but it's not very clear, indicating that new trends are being talked about, but nobody seems to understand their meaning. The fashion is loud, tasteless, and he has heard it before, indicating that there's nothing new about following the latest trend. This entire song is a commentary on the emptiness of fashion culture and how people blindly follow their favorite trendsetters without really understanding their significance. The chorus further reinforces this idea by repeating the lines 'Fashion! Turn to the left, fashion! Turn to the right, fashion! We are the goon squad and we're coming to town.' Overall, the song criticizes the superficiality of fashion culture and the blind following of new trends without proper understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a brand new dance but I don't know its name
A new trend has emerged, but even though it's popular among people from less fortunate backgrounds, it's not well known or understood by others.


That people from bad homes do again and again
Those who grew up in unfavorable conditions tend to engage in this new dance repeatedly.


It's big and it's bland full of tension and fear
The dance is ubiquitous and unremarkable, yet it's characterized by anxiety and apprehension.


They do it over there but we don't do it here
The dance may be common in certain areas, but it's not embraced by everyone and may be rejected or looked down upon in other places.


Fashion!
The style or trend in question is referred to as 'fashion' throughout the song.


Turn to the left
As a directive, 'turn to the left' connotes a sense of conformity, as if everyone is expected to behave or move in a certain way.


Turn to the right
The corresponding 'turn to the right' reinforces the notion of obedience and the idea that people are conforming to a set of rules.


Oooh, fashion!
The refrain 'oh, fashion!' is repeated multiple times, serving as a kind of chorus.


We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
A group of people, perhaps with some level of power or influence, are about to arrive in a certain location.


Beep-beep, beep-beep
The beeping sound effect may indicate the arrival of something important or significant.


Listen to me, don't listen to me
This series of imperatives is meant to convey conflicting messages and create a sense of disorientation or uncertainty.


Talk to me, don't talk to me
Similarly, the contradictory command to speak but also not to speak reinforces the idea that no clear rules or norms are being established.


Dance with me, don't dance with me, no
The same tension between opposing forces is reiterated with the command to dance and also not to dance, both punctuated by the definitive 'no.'


Oh bop
The exclamation 'oh bop' seems to serve little purpose beyond adding a certain rhythm or emphasis to the song.


There's a brand new talk, but it's not very clear
Another new trend or idea has emerged, but it's not well explained or understood.


That people from good homes are talking this year
Unlike the new dance, this trend seems to be coming from a more privileged sector of society.


It's loud and tasteless and I've heard it before
The artist finds this new talk to be garish and unappealing, as well as repetitive and uninspiring.


You shout it while you're dancing on the ole dance floor
The new idea or trend is so pervasive that it's hard to ignore, and even permeates the popular dance floor where it's shouted about.


La-la la la la la la-la
The gradual fade-out of nonsensical syllables suggests some kind of finality or closure to the song, even as it continues to repeat key phrases and concepts.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Mr. Crowlley

Lyrics:
There's a brand new dance
But I don't know its name
That people from bad homes
Do again and again
It's big and it's bland
Full of tension and fear
They do it over there
But we don't do it here
Fashion, turn to the left
Fashion, turn to the right
Ooh fashion
We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
Beep-beep, beep-beep
Listen to me, don't listen to me
Talk to me, don't talk to me
Dance with me, don't dance with me
No
Beep-beep
There's a brand new talk
But it's not very clear, ooh bop
That people from good homes
Are talking this year, ooh bop, fashion
It's loud and it's tasteless
I've not heard it before, ooh bop
You shout it while you're dancing
On the dance floor, ooh bop, fashion
Fashion, turn to the left
Fashion (Right)
Fashion
We are the goon squad and we're coming to town
Beep-beep
Listen to me, don't listen to me
Talk to me, don't talk to me
Dance with me, don't dance with me
No
Beep-beep, beep beep
Ooh bop, do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Fa fa fa fa fashion
Ooh bop, do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Fa fa fa fa fashion, la-la-la-la la la la la
Ooh bop, do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Fa fa fa fa fashion
Ooh bop, do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Fa fa fa fa fashion, la-la-la-la la la la la



All comments from YouTube:

Alex Carratu

In an entertainment world full of clones, David Bowie was a true original, one cool dude and ahead of his time. A true talent. Thank you for your musical originality, Mr Bowie.

STEPHEN ZANICHKOWSKY

Got to see him a few times, and on the last tour. Great stuff!!

Alex Carratu

@STEPHEN ZANICHKOWSKY epic stuff, man. My Mum saw Bowie around 1983 and she said he was epic. My Dad also saw Bowie in 1977 and he, too, said that Bowie was epic. Bowie was one talented man.

Alex Carratu

@New Life, thank you, Generation X. Many artists of today could sure take a leaf 🍃 or two out of Mr Bowie's books on authenticity, originality, style, etc. Never will be another Bowie. Thanks for the music, Ziggy. Your music still kicks ass in 2023 and will forever. RIP, Man.

ciao214Z

@New Life lol '' Bro ''

Frank Bullitt

He wasn't afraid to take a chance

4 More Replies...

Venancia Hopkins

Bowie was so cool and ahead of his time! Total genius!

Judy Ward

Way ahead

Víctor Vilches Cuadra

Freakin' Genius! Best!

Helen Waldron

I love this track in particular and as a woman or mqn fxxx it looking bloody good... Arrrrghhh!!🎼 👍 💖 💖 💖 😜

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