Rock 'N' Roll Suicide
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger
Then cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers
Then you forget
Oh oh, oh, oh, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide

You're too old to lose it
Too young to choose it
And the clock wait's so
Patiently on your song
You walk past a cafe but you don't
Eat when you've lived too long
Oh, no, no, no
You're a rock 'n' roll suicide

Chevy brakes are snarling as you
Stumble across the road
But the day breaks instead, so you hurry home
Don't let the sun blast your shadow
Don't let the milk float ride your mind
You're so natural, religiously unkind

Oh no, love, you're not alone
You're watching yourself
But you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up
But if I could only make you care
Oh no, love, you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share
I'll help you with the pain you're not alone

Just turn on with me and you're not alone
Let's turn on and be, not alone (Wonderful)
Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
(Wonderful)




Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
(Wonderful) oh, gimme your hands

Overall Meaning

In David Bowie's Rock 'N' Roll Suicide, the lyrics appear to be about the hedonistic lifestyle of a rock star, and the feeling that this brings. The opening lines of the song could be interpreted as addressing an individual who may have been responsible for the downfall of the rock star, "You always were the one that knew, they sold us for the likes of you." The rock star then describes their desire to leave their current surroundings and find something new, while those around him (or her) cry and struggle in the heat.


The line, "When you rock and roll with me," is repeated throughout the song, indicating that the rock star is not alone in their lifestyle and that they feel some sort of connection to the person/people they are addressing. They feel that no one else could understand or do what they do while also acknowledging the toll it takes on their emotions, "I'm in tears again..."


The song also touches on the fact that while the rock star is enjoying success and fame, others are waiting in line for their moment in the spotlight. However, despite the pressures of the lifestyle, the rock star ultimately feels alive and free when they are performing.


Overall, Rock 'N' Roll Suicide can be interpreted as a meditation on the duality of the rock star lifestyle: the highs of fame and success and the lows of isolation and emotional turmoil.


Line by Line Meaning

You always were the one that knew
You were always the one with the answers


They sold us for the likes of you
People like you are the reason we sold out


I always wanted new surroundings
I have always wanted to change my environment


A room to rent while the lizards lay crying in the heat
A place to stay while everything else is falling apart


Trying to remember who to meet
Trying not to forget the people who matter


I would take a foxy kind of stand
I would take a bold and daring approach


While tens of thousands found me in demand
While many people wanted to see me perform


When you rock and roll with me
When we are together and enjoying music


No one else I'd rather be
There is no one else I would rather spend time with


Nobody here can do it for me
No one else can make me feel the way you do


I'm in tears again
I am emotional once more


Gentle hearts are counted down
Kind and empathetic people are undervalued


The queue is out of sight and out of sounds
The line is so long that it is out of sight and sound


Me, I'm out of breath, but not quite doubting
I am exhausted, but still have faith


I've found a door which lets me out
I have found an escape from my current situation


Oh, when you rock and roll with me
Oh, when we are together and enjoying music


There's no one else I'd rather be
There is no one else I would rather spend time with


Nobody down here can do it for me
No one else can make me feel the way you do


I'm in tears, I'm in tears
I am emotional


When you rock and roll with me
When we are together and enjoying music




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

DrJKintobor


on I Can't Give Everything Away

I can totally imagine this being the end theme of Sabrina Online, when Sabrina marries Richard and they drive off into the sunset...

Peter Bonney


on Diamond Dogs

If you like free music and you have google chrome, try this free app .SonicHits .

More Versions