Starman
David Bowie Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Didn't know what time it was, the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was layin' down some rock 'n' roll
"Lotta soul," he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That wasn't no DJ, that was hazy cosmic jive
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone, so I picked on you
Hey, that's far out, so you heard him too
Switch on the TV, we may pick him up on channel two
Look out your window, I can see his light
If we can sparkle, he may land tonight
Don't tell your papa or he'll get us locked up in fright

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

Starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la




La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Starman sets the scene: the persona is sitting in a dark room, listening to the radio when they hear a song. The song is a "rock 'n' roll" one full of "soul," and the persona becomes captivated by it. Suddenly, the sound on the radio seems to phase out, but then it returns with something entirely different. Instead of the DJ, the persona hears an otherworldly voice, the "hazy cosmic jive" of the Starman. The subsequent verses describe the persona's sense of awe and wonder towards this alien, who seems to be hovering in the sky, offering the prospect of communicating with humanity. The Starman sings a song of hope and encouragement to the persona, urging them to let "the children" use and enjoy music and imagination.


Overall, the song is about hope, communication, and the value of imagination. It is often interpreted as a sort of anthem for the counterculture movement of the 1970s, with its embrace of creating new art, exploring new ideas, and seeking out unconventional experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Didn't know what time it was, the lights were low
I was unsure of the time since it was dark and the lights were dim


I leaned back on my radio
I reclined while listening to music on my radio


Some cat was layin' down some rock 'n' roll
Some guy was playing some great rock music


"Lotta soul," he said
He said the music had a lot of soul


Then the loud sound did seem to fade
The music suddenly became less loud


Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
The music returned gradually like a soft voice on a signal wave


That wasn't no DJ, that was hazy cosmic jive
The music wasn't from a DJ but from an otherworldly source


There's a starman waiting in the sky
There's an extraterrestrial being waiting above in space


He'd like to come and meet us
He wants to visit and connect with us


But he thinks he'd blow our minds
He's concerned that his presence might be overwhelming for us


He's told us not to blow it
He's advised and cautioned us to handle his arrival properly


'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He's sure that it's going to be a valuable experience for both sides


He told me
He communicated this message to me personally


Let the children lose it
He urged us to let go and have fun like children


Let the children use it
He encouraged us to use our creative imagination like children


Let all the children boogie
He wanted all of us to dance and celebrate like children


I had to phone someone, so I picked on you
I had to talk to someone, and I chose to call you


Hey, that's far out, so you heard him too
Wow, that's amazing, you heard his message as well


Switch on the TV
Turn on the television


We may pick him up on channel two
We may be able to receive a signal from him on channel two


Look out your window, I can see his light
Look out of your window since I can see his light in the sky


If we can sparkle, he may land tonight
If we can impress him, he might land and visit us tonight


Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright
Don't tell your father, or he might get us in trouble for talking about extraterrestrial beings.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Rodrigo Adrián Rodríguez Aedo

Lyrics:

Didn't know what time it was the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was layin' down some rock 'n' roll
"Lotta soul", he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile

And he told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone so I picked on you
Hey, that's far out so you heard him too
Switch on the TV we may pick him up on channel two
Look out your window I can see his light
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it

'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
And he told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la



Jose Trevino

Isaiah 45:6-8
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

Job 1: 20-22
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God is NOT in man made church buildings anymore. When Paul and the apostles were preaching the good news of the Gospel, they went from place to place. They never stayed in one church building every Sunday week after week. They were nomadic-roamed from place to place to add more souls for the Lord.

That’s why Jesus says

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This is what we are REQUIRED to do, NOT stay in one church building week after week, Sunday after Sunday. This is what most do not understand.



Heiki Herman Soome

2012 suvel möödus 40 aastat maailmas ühest suurima läbimüügiga ja ühest parimast ning revolutsioonilisemast albumi ilmumisest - David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from mars…
mul on tõeliselt hea meel, et tänu mulle jõudis see album tervikuna ja üksikute hittidena ka eesti raadio kuulajani aastal 1976, mil ma selle albumi ümbervõtte tervikuna rangest kuulamiskomisjonist suutsin läbi suruda eesti raadio stereofonoteeki…
esimene lugu plaadilt, mis eesti rahva ekstaasini viis,
oli laul Starman ( tähemees )...
see pala kõlas kuulajate soovil pea igas soovikontserdis
ja muus muusikaprogrammis...
kogu album kõlas aga korduvalt stereoraadio kavas aga ka hiljem vikerraadios…
tänu mulle, jõudis Bowie ka üleliidulise raadio programmidesse, nagu raadio - majak - ,
toimetaja Владимир Сиверов kaudu, kes külastas eesti raadiot ja kuulas minu muusikasaateid, linte ja salvestusi…
nii viis ta kaasa suure kuhja ümbervõtteid muusikaga minu salvestistest, sealhulgas ei puudunud ka Bowie…
David Bowie laul Starman - tähemees, kujunes omamoodi
ka lausa hümniks minu diskodel 70 - 80 ndatel, kus saalitäis
fänne laulu refrääni kaasa laulsid ning käed püsti end välja elasid...



All comments from YouTube:

Luigi Mauricio

This is one of those songs that sends pleasnt shivers up my spine every time I hear it.

J R

I love wearing headphones with this on close to full blast and just having Bowie's voice reverberate through my body

Aurebesh Bricks

"Reverberate through my body"

Kevin McKay

This was the best part of the movie... loved that montage

Marco Gavagnin

you are soooo right😂

Kickingpro

totally agree it is so well done

whod've thunk?

Do you mean the martian?

Aurebesh Bricks

Martian or lightyear?

Strange Bangtan

Because this comment was posted 7 years ago, they obviously mean the Martian yall lolll

Rodrigo Adrián Rodríguez Aedo

Lyrics:

Didn't know what time it was the lights were low
I leaned back on my radio
Some cat was layin' down some rock 'n' roll
"Lotta soul", he said
Then the loud sound did seem to fade
Came back like a slow voice on a wave of phase
That weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile

And he told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone so I picked on you
Hey, that's far out so you heard him too
Switch on the TV we may pick him up on channel two
Look out your window I can see his light
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it

'Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
And he told me:
Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la-la, la, la, la

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