Fashion
David Bowie Lyrics

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.