Heathen
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Steel on the skyline
Sky made of glass
Made for a real world
All things must pass
Oo-o
Waiting for something
Looking for someone
Is there no reason?
Have I stared too long?
Oo-o, Oo-o
You say you'll leave me
And when the sun is low
And the rays high
I can see it now




I can feel it die
Oo-o, Oo-o

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to David Bowie's song Heathen are open to interpretation, as with many of his songs. It seems that the first two lines are a description of a modern, industrial landscape - steel on the skyline and a sky of glass suggest towering buildings and a sense of permanence. However, the next line - made for a real world - undermines this sense of solidity, suggesting perhaps that the world is not as steady as we would like to think. The next line - all things must pass - is evocative and meditative, suggesting that although the world may seem permanent, it will eventually fade away.


The next two lines - waiting for something, looking for someone - suggest a sense of longing or emptiness, perhaps a quest for meaning or purpose. The line - is there no reason? - underlines this feeling and implies that the search may be frustrating or fruitless. The repetition of Oo-o, Oo-o creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.


Finally, the lyrics turn to a narrative of loss and despair. The singer's partner says they will leave him, and he watches as the sun sets and the world around him becomes less bright and less beautiful. The line - I can feel it die - is particularly poignant and suggests a sense of finality and inevitability.


Overall, the song Heathen is a haunting and beautiful meditation on the nature of the world and the human experience. It is a tribute to Bowie's talent as a songwriter and his ability to create music that is both deeply personal and universal in its scope.


Line by Line Meaning

Steel on the skyline
There's a sense of industrialization and growth in the city skyline


Sky made of glass
A reference to the modern, sleek architecture of the city


Made for a real world
The city is built to cater to practical needs of the people who inhabit it


All things must pass
A reminder that all things are temporary and will eventually come to an end


Oo-o
A vocalization that adds to the song's overall mood and tone


Waiting for something
Feeling a sense of anticipation for some kind of change or event to occur


Looking for someone
Searching for a connection with someone or something


Is there no reason?
Questioning the purpose or meaning behind the current situation


Have I stared too long?
Wondering if thinking about something for too long has resulted in over-analyzing


Oo-o, Oo-o
Continuing the vocalization from earlier, contributing to the overall feel of the song


You say you'll leave me
A betrayal, disappointment, or loss in a personal relationship is hinted at


And when the sun is low
Indicating the passage of time, an end of a day as the sun starts to set


And the rays high
The contrast between the evening sun and the height of the buildings


I can see it now
A moment of clarity or realization of the impending loss


I can feel it die
An emotional response to the loss or end of something


Oo-o, Oo-o
Repeating the vocalization to highlight the emotional impact of the loss




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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