Golden Years
David Bowie Lyrics


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Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop

Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere
Angel
Come get up, my baby
Look at that sky, life's begun
Nights are warm and the days are young
Come get up, my baby

There's my baby, lost that's all
Once I'm begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby

Last night they loved you
Opening doors and pulling some strings
Angel
Come get up, my baby
In walked luck and you looked in time
Never look back, walk tall, act fine
Come get up, my baby

I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years
Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years
Gold
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby

Some of these days, and it won't be long
Gonna drive back down where you once belonged
In the back of a dream car twenty foot long
Don't cry, my sweet, don't break my heart
Doing all right, but you gotta get smart
Wish upon, wish upon, day upon day, I believe, oh Lord
I believe all the way
Come get up, my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years

There's my baby, lost that's all
Once I'm begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby

Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere
Angel
Come get up, my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years

I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years
Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years
Gold

Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop




Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop

Overall Meaning

The song "Golden Years" by David Bowie has a lot of different interpretations, but it's generally believed to be about enjoying the good times while they last. The lyrics speak of the "golden years" and encouragement to "come get up, my baby" and join in with the fun. This could be seen as a commentary on the excess of the times, with people living life to the fullest without any concern for the future.


Throughout the song, Bowie sings about "my baby" who is lost and needs saving. He pleads with her to come join him in the "golden years" where everything is warm and young. Whether this is a physical or metaphorical lostness is unknown, but the idea of someone needing to be saved and brought back to the present fits with the idea of enjoying life while it lasts.


The mention of luck and needing to act smart also adds a bit of caution to the song. While the good times are rolling, it's important to be aware and not get carried away. However, Bowie assures "my baby" that he'll stick with her for a thousand years, and nothing will touch her in these "golden years."


Overall, "Golden Years" is a celebration of living life to the fullest while also recognizing the need for caution and awareness.


Line by Line Meaning

Golden years, gold whop whop whop
The singer is repeating the phrase 'golden years' with a ‘whop whop whop’ sound that is likely representing a celebratory party atmosphere.


Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere
The singer is asking their partner not to express any dissatisfaction with life, as they want to focus on the positive aspects of their relationship.


Angel
The singer is addressing their partner as an angel, praising them for their kind and supportive nature.


Come get up, my baby
The singer is encouraging their partner to stand up and embrace life together.


Look at that sky, life's begun
The singer is pointing out the beauty of the sky and suggesting that their partner should focus on the new beginnings and opportunities that life has to offer.


Nights are warm and the days are young
The singer is describing a carefree and exciting lifestyle, where the nights are warm and the days are full of potential.


There's my baby, lost that's all
The singer is addressing their partner, who may be feeling lost or unsure about their life's direction.


Once I'm begging you save her little soul
The singer is pleading with someone, possibly a higher power like an angel, to help guide and protect their partner's spirit.


Last night they loved you
The singer is referencing a past event where their partner was adored and showered with attention.


Opening doors and pulling some strings
The singer is revealing that their partner had some kind of success or opportunity, possibly through the help of influential people.


In walked luck and you looked in time
The singer is describing a moment where their partner was fortunate and able to capitalize on it.


Never look back, walk tall, act fine
The singer is advising their partner to move forward with confidence and grace, without hesitation or regrets.


I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years
The singer promises to remain with their partner for a long time, through thick and thin.


Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years
The singer reassures their partner that they will be protected and loved during their time of happiness and celebration.


Some of these days, and it won't be long
The singer is predicting a future event that is approaching quickly.


Gonna drive back down where you once belonged
The singer plans to return with their partner to a place where they previously felt comfortable and at home.


In the back of a dream car twenty foot long
The singer imagines a luxurious form of transportation for this journey.


Don't cry, my sweet, don't break my heart
The singer pleads with their partner not to upset them, emphasizing their tender feelings for them.


Doing all right, but you gotta get smart
The singer thinks their partner is doing well but needs to become more savvy or resourceful to achieve their goals.


Wish upon, wish upon, day upon day, I believe, oh Lord
The singer is expressing their deep desire for their partner, hoping that their wishes or prayers are heard by a higher power.


Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
The singer is repeating an urgent phrase, seemingly encouraging their partner to find refuge or safety.


I believe all the way
The singer affirms their unwavering faith and hope in their partner's abilities and potential.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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:

TheZohan

LYRICS

Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere
Angel
Come get up, my baby
Look at that sky, life's begun
Nights are warm and the days are young
Come get up, my baby
There's my baby, lost that's all
Once I'm begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby
Last night they loved you
Opening doors and pulling some strings
Angel
Come get up, my baby
In walked luck and you looked in time
Never look back, walk tall, act fine
Come get up, my baby
I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years
Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years
Gold
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby
Some of these days, and it won't be long
Gonna drive back down where you once belonged
In the back of a dream car twenty foot long
Don't cry, my sweet, don't break my heart
Doing all right, but you gotta get smart
Wish upon, wish upon, day upon day, I believe, oh Lord
I believe all the way
Come get up, my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years
There's my baby, lost that's all
Once I'm begging you save her little soul
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Come get up, my baby
Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere
Angel
Come get up, my baby
Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years
I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years
Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years
Gold
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop
Golden years, gold whop whop whop


Songwriters: David Bowie



All comments from YouTube:

AFC Cam

Lets be honest he was just about the coolest man who ever lived

Stephane Giroux

David!!! Wow!!! Tout simplement!!!

J VH

I wouldn't disagree with that 1 bit ! !

Svipdagx

Yes...he shure fitted that role...i guess he loved playing roles & did it so well because he understood what he was doing.nevertheless he always has interesring observations don't you think?Good day then.

Jill Spidahl

I love him. Awesome, yeah, coolest guy totally ever

143 More Replies...

lotus65

This jam came on at home depot today. It was pretty quiet in there and there I was, 60 years old, full-on dancing in the aisle shopping for grout and nails! LoL Bowie, man... Rest well.

johnnycb09

First time my grown nieces and nephews saw me dancing at a wedding they were all "Wow! We didnt know you could dance!" I replied "what ?You think I was born fat and old ?"

Devil Eye

Get your groove on, never too old to bust a move.

Jean-Louis Lalonde

Whenever I go there I can't help to notice they put songs for my generation (62 y.o.) to create a propoer shopping environment.

Short Brunette Communications

Age doesn't matter. I'll be 62 in two weeks, and I do what I want because I'm a free spirit. Dance and don't worry about it!

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