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)
Golden Years
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
@lynnt8668
Love me some David Bowie.... John Lennon is awsome .
@frankfiamingosr.718
You and John were both great. Your sound was uniqoye
@MarkBrakebill-fu6wl
Wow, 1 genius talking up his mentor, ? Never new this David, your library of art speaks to so many people and is so influencial , for so many musicians. THANK YOU DAVID BOWIE fot being so brave
@ThatOneGuy7550
SQ should do a video on top 10 rock n roll groupies
@6151jeppe
Then there was Paul who just wanted to finish in a comfortable way, much like he did with "now and then". John would never.