Bowie has claimed the song is inspired by Little Richard, and it maintains the album's theme of a struggle between God and man. Some commentators noted the similarities between the track and Elton John's near-simultaneous hit "I'm Still Standing", although both parties stated the songs were recorded at roughly the same time with no knowledge of the other, and it seems to be just a coincidence.
By the time "Modern Love" was issued and edited as a single, Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour was underway. The track had become a popular encore on the tour, and Jim Yukich's video for the song used footage of Bowie and his band performing the song from the 20 July 1983 concert in Philadelphia. A live version, recorded in Montreal on July 13, was on the B-side.
The single reached #2 in the UK, and #14 in America. It would be performed throughout the Serious Moonlight Tour, and feature in Bowie's set at Live Aid, later continuing on the Glass Spider and Sound+Vision tours. A re-recording with Tina Turner was also featured on an ill-fated Pepsi commercial.
Modern Love
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know when to stay in
Get things done
I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for
(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love
It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for
(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love
(Modern love) walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) I don't believe in modern love
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Never gonna fall for
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
The lyrics of the song "Modern Love" by David Bowie reflect the theme of modern relationships and love. The singer talks about his ability to adapt to different situations and knows when to go out, when to stay in, and when to get things done. He catches the paper boy, but things don't change. The singer is standing in the wind, but he never waves goodbye. He tries to wave but nothing happens. The song suggests that the singer is trying to adapt to modern relationships but is having trouble finding meaning and purpose in them.
The chorus refers to modern love walking beside the singer, walking on by, and getting him to the church on time. It terrifies him but also makes him party. He puts his trust in God and man, but there is no confession or religion in modern love. The singer does not believe in modern love, indicating that he is not capable of trusting modern love.
Line by Line Meaning
I know when to go out
I am aware of when to socialize and be outgoing
Know when to stay in
I can recognize when to stay in and relax
Get things done
I am productive and capable of accomplishing tasks
I catch a paper boy
I come into contact with young people and current events
But things don't really change
Despite my experiences, some things remain consistent
I'm standing in the wind
I am steady and enduring in difficult situations
But I never wave bye-bye, but I try, I try
I do not give up or abandon things, but I continue to strive
There's no sign of life
There is a lack of energy or vitality in my surroundings
It's just the power to charm
My personality or charisma holds influence over others
I'm lying in the rain, but I never wave bye-bye, but I try, I try
Even in difficult or unpleasant circumstances, I remain determined and persistent
Never gonna fall for
I won't be deceived or fooled by
(Modern love) walks beside me
I am accompanied by and experience contemporary love
(Modern love) walks on by
Modern love continues to progress and develop
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
Contemporary love motivates me to arrive punctually to important life events
(Church on time) terrifies me
Being at church for important life events elicits fear in me
(Church on time) makes me party
Celebrating life events at the church brings me joy and celebration
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
Arriving on time to the church for important events affirms my faith in God and trust in others
(God and man) no confession
I do not confess or acknowledge my sins or shortcomings to a religious figure
(God and man) no religion
I do not participate or identify with any particular religion or belief system
(God and man) don't believe in modern love
I do not have faith in contemporary or modern love
It's not really work
What I do is not truly a job or occupation
I'm still standing in the wind
I remain resilient and steadfast despite external forces
Never gonna fall for
I will not succumb to the deception of
(Modern love) walks beside me
Contemporary love remains a constant companion and influence in my life
(Modern love) walks on by
Modern love continues to move forward and develop
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
Contemporary love motivates me to arrive promptly to important life events
(Church on time) terrifies me
Attending church for important life events elicits fear in me
(Church on time) makes me party
Celebrating life events at church brings me joy and celebration
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
Arriving on time to church for important events affirms my faith in God and trust in others
(God and man) no confession
I do not confess or acknowledge my sins or shortcomings to a religious figure
(God and man) no religion
I do not participate or identify with any particular religion or belief system
(God and man) I don't believe in modern love
I do not have faith in contemporary or modern love
(Modern love)
Contemporary or modern love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kadavrexqis
Here are the lyrics:
I know when to go out
And when to stay in
Get things done
I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try
I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try
I try
Never gonna fall for
Modern love walks beside me
Modern love walks on by
Modern love gets me to the church on time
Church on time terrifies me
Church on time makes me party
Church on time puts my trust in God and man
God and man no confessions
God and man no religion
God and man don't believe in modern love
It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
Still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try
I try
Never gonna fall for
Modern love walks beside me
Modern love walks on by
Modern love gets me to the church on time
Church on time terrifies me
Church on time makes me party
Church on time puts my trust in God and man
God and man no confessions
God and man no religion
God and man don't believe in modern love
Modern love walks beside me
Modern love walks on by
Modern love gets me to the church on time
Church on time terrifies me
Church on time makes me party
Church on time puts my trust in God and man
God and man no confessions
God and man no religion
God and man don't believe in modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love
Modern love walks beside me
Modern love walks on by
Modern love walks beside me
Modern love walks on by
Never gonna fall for
Modern love
Modern love
@belugonzalez9269
LETRA:
I know when to go out
Know when to stay in
Get things done
I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for
walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love
It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for
walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) don't believe in modern love
walks beside me
(Modern love) walks on by
(Modern love) gets me to the church on time
(Church on time) terrifies me
(Church on time) makes me party
(Church on time) puts my trust in God and man
(God and man) no confession
(God and man) no religion
(God and man) I don't believe in modern love
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
Modern love (modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks beside me
(Modern love)
Modern love, walks on by
(Modern love)
Never gonna fall for
(Modern love)
(Modern love)
@DreamOn510
Who's Still Here In 2024 ???
@Kayla-bk6lq
🫡🫡🫡
@Marvinalbertouribe666
Meee
@AnnieSherman29
ME
@brianfitzpatrick1215
Oh heck yes!! Timeless tune.
@brunocardoso9098
Me
@wibukaminolepofficial
Vocal - 100%
Melody - 100%
Poetry - 100%
Legend - 100%
@glennandric6846
I disagree, all are 150% (lol). Cheers
@fredhominal5029
C'était en plus un peu l'homme idéal ! . 💙
@simoneguerri1689
❤ Mito ❤