The lyrics contain various references to Aleister Crowley, Kabbalah[1] and gnosticism.[1] Bowie stated that "The "Station to Station" track itself is very much concerned with the stations of the cross."[1] It is on this track that Bowie introduces himself as "The Thin White Duke". It also contains the oft-quoted lyric, "It's not the side-effects of the cocaine/I'm thinking that it must be love."
The song was not released as a single.
Station to Station
David Bowie Lyrics
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Throwing darts in lovers' eyes
Here are we, one magical moment, such is the stuff
From where dreams are woven
Bending sound, dredging the ocean, lost in my circle
Here am I, flashing no color
Here are we, one magical movement from Kether to Malkuth
There are you, you drive like a demon from station to station
The return of the Thin White Duke, throwing darts in lovers' eyes
The return of the Thin White Duke, throwing darts in lovers' eyes
The return of the Thin White Duke, making sure white stays
Once there were mountains on mountains
And once there were sun birds to soar with
And once I could never be down
Got to keep searching and searching
Oh, what will I be believing and who will connect me with love?
Wonderful, wonderful, wonder when
Have you sought fortune, evasive and shy?
Drink to the men who protect you and I
Drink, drink, drain your glass, raise your glass high
It's not the side-effects of the cocaine
I'm thinking that it must be love
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here
I must be only one in a million
I won't let the day pass without her
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here
Should I believe that I've been stricken?
Does my face show some kind of glow?
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here, yes it's here
It's too late
It's too late, it's too late, it's too late, it's too late
The European cannon is here
It's not the side-effects of the cocaine
I'm thinking that it must be love
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here
I must be only one in a million
I won't let the day pass without her
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here
Should I believe that I've been stricken?
Does my face show some kind of glow?
It's too late to be grateful
It's too late to be late again
It's too late to be hateful
The European cannon is here, yes it's here
It's too late
It's too late, it's too late, it's too late, it's too late
The European cannon is here
"Station to Station" is an enigmatic and mysterious song by David Bowie, released in 1976. The song starts with the famous line "The return of the Thin White Duke," referring to one of Bowie's personas – a haughty and enigmatic figure – that he adopted at various points in his career. Bowie named the song after a train ride he took from LA to New York, and it's often interpreted as a transition between different points in his life and career.
The song is full of surreal and ambiguous lyrics, transporting the listener to a dreamlike state. The "Thin White Duke" is throwing "darts in lovers' eyes," possibly representing the destructive influence of his drug use on his relationships. He talks about "bending sound" and "dredging the ocean," which could refer to his experimentation with sound and his search for new musical horizons. Bowie also muses about love, searching and searching for it, wondering who will connect him with it.
The song's chorus repeats that it's "too late to be grateful" and "too late to be late again," possibly hinting at Bowie's regret for his past mistakes and missed opportunities. The line "The European cannon is here" is a reference to the arrival of fascism, as Bowie believed that Europe was teetering on the brink of another world war. Overall, "Station to Station" is a fascinating and complex artistic statement that continues to intrigue and captivate listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
The return of the Thin White Duke
David Bowie is referencing his alter ego, the Thin White Duke, who is making a comeback.
Throwing darts in lovers' eyes
The Thin White Duke is causing harm and hurt to those who love him.
Here are we, one magical moment, such is the stuff
David Bowie and his alter ego are in one place, in one moment, creating something magical.
From where dreams are woven
The magical moment is coming from the world of dreams and imagination.
Bending sound, dredging the ocean, lost in my circle
David Bowie is exploring his art, playing with sound and deepening his creativity, getting lost in his own process.
Here am I, flashing no color
Despite his creative process, Bowie feels that he is lacking in inspiration or uniqueness.
Tall in this room overlooking the ocean
David Bowie is in a high-up space, looking out at the vastness of the sea.
Here are we, one magical movement from Kether to Malkuth
Bowie and the Thin White Duke are experiencing a magical movement on a spiritual level, moving from the highest to the lowest point of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
There are you, you drive like a demon from station to station
Someone else is moving quickly from one place to another, like a demon, maybe as a metaphor for a fast-paced, reckless lifestyle.
Making sure white stays
The return of the Thin White Duke serves as an agent of change, ensuring that the status quo is challenged and doesn't remain 'white', or stagnant.
Once there were mountains on mountains
In the past, the possibilities and opportunities were endless.
And once there were sun birds to soar with
In the past, there were opportunities for David Bowie to collaborate and create with other artists.
And once I could never be down
In the past, Bowie had a sense of invincibility and endless energy.
Got to keep searching and searching
Despite the past being in the past, Bowie feels the need to keep searching for ways to evolve and create.
Oh, what will I be believing and who will connect me with love?
Bowie questions what his beliefs will be, but ultimately seeks someone who can connect him with love and inspiration.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonder when
Bowie poses a rhetorical question, wondering when he will experience the sense of wonder and fulfillment he seeks.
Have you sought fortune, evasive and shy?
Bowie addresses the listener, asking if they too have pursued fortune, which is hard to catch and elusive.
Drink to the men who protect you and I
Bowie raises a glass to the men who offer protection to himself and others.
Drink, drink, drain your glass, raise your glass high
Bowie encourages the act of celebration and indulgence, telling the listener to drink and raise their glass high.
It's not the side-effects of the cocaine
Bowie dismisses the idea that the effects of cocaine are influencing him or his creativity.
I'm thinking that it must be love
Despite ruling out cocaine, Bowie wants to attribute his inspiration and drive to the feeling of being in love.
It's too late to be grateful
Bowie expresses regret for not being grateful for the things he had in the past.
It's too late to be late again
Bowie cannot afford to waste time anymore.
It's too late to be hateful
Bowie cannot afford to hold onto hate or negativity anymore.
The European cannon is here
Bowie acknowledges the presence of European art and culture, and its impact on his own art.
I must be only one in a million
Despite fame and success, Bowie feels alone and isolated.
I won't let the day pass without her
Bowie is determined to spend time with someone he loves in order to feel fulfilled and inspired.
Should I believe that I've been stricken?
Bowie wonders if he should interpret his feelings as being struck by love or inspiration.
Does my face show some kind of glow?
Bowie questions whether he is showing signs of inspiration or love on his face.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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
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