Sorrow
David Bowie Lyrics
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The only thing I ever got from you
Was sorrow, sorrow
You're acting funny, try to spend my money
You out there playing your high class games
Of sorrow, sorrow
You never do what you know you ought to
Something tells me you're the devil's daughter
Sorrow, sorrow
I tried to find her cause I can't resist her
I never knew just how much I missed her
Sorrow, sorrow
With your long blond hair and your eyes of blue
The only thing I ever got from you
Was sorrow, sorrow
With your long blond hair, I couldn't sleep last night
With your long blond hair
and your eyes of light
The only thing I ever got from you
Was sorrow, sorrow
In "Sorrow" by David Bowie, the singer talks about a lover who has caused him nothing but pain and sadness. The lyrics describe a woman with "long blond hair and eyes of blue" who is only interested in playing high class games and spending the singer's money. Despite knowing her true nature, the singer is unable to resist her and is left longing for her even though he knows she only brings him sorrow. The lyrics seem to suggest that although the relationship is unhealthy, the singer cannot help but feel drawn to this woman who brings nothing but misery into his life.
One interpretation of the song is that it reflects Bowie's own experiences with unstable relationships and the emotional toll they can take. Bowie was known for his many tumultuous relationships, including his marriage to Angie Bowie and his affair with singer Marianne Faithful. The lyrics, then, can be seen as a reflection on the constant stream of emotional ups and downs that come with such relationships, and the difficulty of breaking free from them even when it becomes clear they are not healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
With your long blond hair and your eyes of blue
The singer is addressing someone with blonde hair and blue eyes.
The only thing I ever got from you
The singer received only one thing from this person.
Was sorrow, sorrow
That one thing was sorrow.
You're acting funny, try to spend my money
The person the artist is addressing is acting strangely and trying to spend the artist's money.
You out there playing your high class games
The person the artist is addressing is playing games that are not accessible to everyone.
Of sorrow, sorrow
These games lead to feelings of sorrow.
You never do what you know you ought to
The person never does what they should do.
Something tells me you're the devil's daughter
The artist has a feeling that the person is the daughter of the devil.
Sorrow, sorrow
This realization brings even more sorrow.
I tried to find her cause I can't resist her
The artist tries to find the person despite knowing they should not.
I never knew just how much I missed her
The singer misses the person more than they realized.
Sorrow, sorrow
This realization brings even more sorrow.
With your long blond hair and your eyes of blue
The singer repeats the description of the person's physical appearance.
The only thing I ever got from you
The singer still only received sorrow from this person.
Was sorrow, sorrow
This is the lasting impression of their relationship.
With your long blond hair, I couldn't sleep last night
The artist is still thinking about this person, specifically their appearance.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Richard Gottehrer, Jerry Goldstein, Bob Feldman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cthrubs20
Anyone should know who's important on this one - one of the greatest Bowie songs:
David Bowie: vocals, guitar (saxophone on "Sorrow")
Mick Ronson: guitar on "Sorrow"
Trevor Bolder: bass on "Sorrow"
Mike Garson: piano on "Sorrow"
Aynsley Dunbar: drums on "Sorrow"
Ken Fordham: saxophone on "Sorrow"
@JorgeHernandez-ow1iv
I stilll have your album fifty something years later. I still listen to it and i am now 66. May you be with GOD now. We love you David.
@largehedgehog
not quite 50.
@stellarocquie7957
@@largehedgehog 46 by his count, 48 now, 2021.
@andrewjohnstone963
48 years to be precise released 6 months after Aladin sane 👨🎤🧡
@carlaburgess3254
Go on Mary x
@DominiqueVanheusden
Finally I found you! Give my album back 😉
@peterofenback6095
Had this record for almost 50 Years. Only now I am capable to really enjoy it's mastership. Such a rich arrangement, fascinatic voice and interesting lyrics. I like it very much.
@thomasfisher5742
I used to be a fan of the Mersey's original version ...but this just knocks it out the park
@larrynapier5003
It’s awesome
@SpiralMystic
McCoy’s original is of its time & this version of its own. Both great.