Before playing the song at The Hammersmith Odeon in London (The last date of the tour), Bowie announced…
“Of all of the shows on this tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest because not only is it–not only is it the last show of the tour, but it’s the last show that we’ll ever do. Thank you.”
With this, the Ziggy Stardust era had ended. The only member of the band to know David was going to do this was Mick Ronson.
In the context of the album, the song depicts the final fall of Ziggy Stardust – the washed up superstar as the crushing weight of stardom and the rock ‘n roll lifestyle (highlighted in Suffragette City the preceding song) takes its toll.
However, the song on its own tells another story. Away from the extremely loose narrative of the rock opera it is an incredibly powerful song, about watching someone close to you as they struggle with their problems and deal with depression. The crescendo throughout the song (starting with a simple acoustic chord and building to a quasi orchestral climax) is symbolic of the growing problems in the person, starting off as a mild cynicism or depression before spiraling down into the depths of helplessness. This is exacerbated by Bowie’s increasingly desperate lyrics and attempts to reach out and connect with this unknown person.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide has a grand sense of staged drama previously unheard of in rock & roll.
Rock 'n' Roll Suicide
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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
DrJKintobor
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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
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