Bowie developed an interest in music from an early age. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. "Space Oddity", released in 1969, was his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of Bowie's single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted towards a sound he characterised as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK fans but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. In 1977, he again changed direction with the electronic-inflected album Low, the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that came to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise.
After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had three number-one hits: the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure" (a 1981 collaboration with Queen). He achieved massive commercial success in the 1980s starting with Let's Dance (1983). Between 1988 and 1992, he fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine before resuming his solo career in 1993. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also continued acting; his roles included Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with The Next Day. He remained musically active until his death from liver cancer at his home in New York City. He died two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).
During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In the UK, he was awarded ten platinum, eleven gold and eight silver album certifications, and released 11 number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and nine gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie
Studio albums
David Bowie (1967)
David Bowie/Space Oddity (1969)
The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Pin Ups (1973)
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
"Heroes" (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Let's Dance (1983)
Tonight (1984)
Never Let Me Down (1987)
Black Tie White Noise (1993)
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
Outside (1995)
Earthling (1997)
Hours (1999)
Heathen (2002)
Reality (2003)
The Next Day (2013)
Blackstar (2016)
Sweet Thing
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To wrangle some screams from the dawn
And isn't it me, putting pain in a stranger?
Like a portrait in flesh, who trails on a leash
Will you see that I'm scared and I'm lonely?
So I'll break up my room, and yawn and I
Run to the center of things
Where the knowing one says:
"Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing
Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, Boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
I'm glad that you're older than me
Makes me feel important and free
Does that make you smile, isn't that me?
I'm in your way, and I'll steal every moment
If this trade is a curse, then I'll bless you
And turn to the crossroads of Hamburg, as in
"Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing
Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, Boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
[Part Two: Candidate]
I'll make you a deal, like any other candidate
We'll pretend we're walking home 'cause your future's at stake
My set is amazing, it even smells like a street
There's a bar at the end where I can meet you and your friend
Someone scrawled on the wall "I smell the blood of Les Tricoteuses"
Who wrote up scandals in other bars
I'm having so much fun with the poisonous people
Spreading rumors and lies and stories they made up
Some make you sing and some make you scream
One makes you wish that you'd never been seen
But there's a shop on the corner that's selling papier mache
Making bullet-proof faces; Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay
"If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing"
So you scream out of line:
"I want you! I need you! Anyone out there? Any time?"
Tres butch little number whines "Hey dirty, I want you
When it's good, it's really good, and when it's bad I go to pieces"
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
Well, on the street where you live I could not hold up my head
For I put all I have in another bed
On another floor, in the back of a car
In the cellar of a church with the door ajar
Well, I guess we must be looking for a different kind
But we can't stop trying 'til we break up our minds
'Til the sun drips blood on the seedy young knights
Who press you on the ground while shaking in fright
I guess we could cruise down one more time
With you by my side, it should be fine
We'll buy some drugs and watch a band
Then jump in the river holding hands
[Part Three: Sweet Thing (Reprise)]
"If you want it, boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
Is it nice in your snow storm, freezing your brain?
Do you think that your face looks the same?
Then let it be, it's all I ever wanted
It's a street with a deal, and a taste
It's got claws, it's got me, it's got you ...
The lyrics to David Bowie's song "Sweet Thing" are highly poetic and open to interpretation. The song consists of three parts, with the first and third parts featuring the repeated refrain "Boys, Boys, it's a sweet thing," while the middle section is titled "Candidate." The lyrics of the song paint a picture of desperation and loneliness, with the singer looking for a connection and willing to do whatever it takes to find it.
In the first section of the song, the singer talks about how it's "safe in the city to love in a doorway," suggesting a longing for intimacy but also a fear of being vulnerable. The second half of the verse suggests a willingness to put himself or herself out there and connect with a stranger, even if it means experiencing pain. The refrain "Boys, Boys, it's a sweet thing" could be interpreted in different ways, but it's likely a call to action, urging the singer and others like him or her to pursue what they want and not give up hope.
The middle section of the song, "Candidate," takes on a darker tone, with the singer offering a tentative deal or agreement with someone else, possibly a lover or partner. The lyrics suggest a world of rumors, lies, and scandals, with the singer fully immersed in this seedy underworld. The chorus reprises the refrain from the first section, conflating hope with the potential for pleasure or intimacy.
The final section of the song, the "Sweet Thing (Reprise)," returns to the refrain of the chorus but with a darker, more menacing tone. The singer seems to be questioning his or her choices and perhaps regretting the path taken. The final lines, "It's got claws, it's got me, it's got you," evoke a sense of helplessness and entrapment, as if the singer is caught in a cycle of longing and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's safe in the city to love in a doorway
Living in a doorway is a dangerous and risky activity, but the safety of the city allows it to be done without harm.
To wrangle some screams from the dawn
Taking advantage of the early hours to make noise and express oneself, without worrying about upsetting others.
And isn't it me, putting pain in a stranger?
Reflecting on the destructive nature of one's actions towards others, causing pain and discomfort to complete strangers.
Like a portrait in flesh, who trails on a leash
Picturing oneself as a helpless animal being led around and used by others.
Will you see that I'm scared and I'm lonely?
Asking for someone to notice the fear and loneliness that one feels, and to offer support and companionship.
So I'll break up my room, and yawn and I
Expressing the boredom and dissatisfaction with one's current situation by destroying one's personal space in a fit of restlessness.
Run to the center of things
Seeking excitement and adventure in the middle of all the activity and chaos.
"Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing
Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, Boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
Encouraging others to embrace the excitement and energy of life, regardless of the cost or consequences, because hope is fleeting and unreliable.
I'm glad that you're older than me
Makes me feel important and free
Feeling empowered and respected when in the company of someone more experienced and mature, and feeling a sense of liberation as a result.
Does that make you smile, isn't that me?
Asking if the other person is pleased to hear that they are making one feel important and free.
I'm in your way, and I'll steal every moment
Confessing to getting in the way of the other person's life and dominating their every thought and action.
If this trade is a curse, then I'll bless you
Acknowledging that their relationship is an unhealthy transaction, but still finding joy and fulfillment in it.
And turn to the crossroads of Hamburg, as in
Referencing the famous intersection in Germany, symbolizing the idea of making significant life decisions that will drastically change one's path.
"Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing
Boys, Boys, its a sweet thing, sweet thing
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, Boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
Echoing the earlier refrain, urging others to embrace the sweetness of life and seize every opportunity, while recognizing that hope can be fleeting and unreliable.
I'll make you a deal, like any other candidate
Offering a mutually beneficial agreement, like any politician might do during an election.
We'll pretend we're walking home 'cause your future's at stake
Engaging in a form of deception, as though taking a walk together while making important decisions that will affect the other person's future.
My set is amazing, it even smells like a street
Boasting about one's abilities and accomplishments in a creative field, evocatively describing the experience for others.
There's a bar at the end where I can meet you and your friend
Offering to meet at a local bar to continue discussing their plans.
Someone scrawled on the wall "I smell the blood of Les Tricoteuses"
Noting a provocative message scrawled on the wall, possibly referencing the French Revolution.
Who wrote up scandals in other bars
Referencing the gossips and rumor-mongers who frequent other bars and spread lies and scandalous stories.
I'm having so much fun with the poisonous people
Admitting to enjoying the company of people who may be dangerous or malicious, and finding pleasure in their intriguing and exciting personalities.
Spreading rumors and lies and stories they made up
Partaking in the malicious and deceitful behavior of the other people, playing along with their fabricated stories and false gossip.
Some make you sing and some make you scream
Reflecting on the various types of people one encounters, some of whom are pleasant and enjoyable, while others are unbearable and infuriating.
One makes you wish that you'd never been seen
Referring to a particularly unflattering or embarrassing encounter with someone who makes one feel ashamed and regretful.
But there's a shop on the corner that's selling papier mache
Referencing a local shop that makes and sells crafts made of paper mache, signifying the frivolity and superficiality of such things.
Making bullet-proof faces; Charlie Manson, Cassius Clay
Suggesting that the paper mache products can make one feel protected or invincible, using well-known names to illustrate the point.
"If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing"
Repeating the refrain yet again, stressing the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity and embracing the thrill of life.
So you scream out of line:
"I want you! I need you! Anyone out there? Any time?"
Letting out an exclamation that expresses the desperate longing for connection and companionship with anyone who might respond.
Tres butch little number whines "Hey dirty, I want you
When it's good, it's really good, and when it's bad I go to pieces"
Quoting the words of another person, who possibly represents a lover or past partner who is passionate and exciting, but also prone to volatility and damage to oneself.
If you want it, Boys, get it here, thing
Reiterating the importance of taking life by the horns and seizing every opportunity that comes one's way.
Well, on the street where you live I could not hold up my head
Acknowledging a sense of shame or guilt when in the company of the other person, perhaps due to the illicit nature of their relationship.
For I put all I have in another bed
Confessing to having given everything up for another person, leaving nothing for the current partner.
On another floor, in the back of a car
Referencing a specific romantic interlude, which may have been secretive or forbidden in nature.
In the cellar of a church with the door ajar
Describing an even more secretive and disreputable location for their past romantic transgressions.
Well, I guess we must be looking for a different kind
Accepting the fact that they may be incompatible in some ways, perhaps ideologically or in terms of their life goals.
But we can't stop trying 'til we break up our minds
Emphasizing the desire to continue searching for the right person or path in life, and to not give up or compromise until something truly fulfilling is found.
'Til the sun drips blood on the seedy young knights
Who press you on the ground while shaking in fright
Describing a violent and disturbing scene, a possible metaphor for the dark and dangerous nature of the world outside their relationship.
I guess we could cruise down one more time
With you by my side, it should be fine
Imagining another opportunity to enjoy life's thrills and adventures, this time with the other person by their side for support and companionship.
We'll buy some drugs and watch a band
Then jump in the river holding hands
Suggesting a wild and carefree night, full of risk-taking and rule-breaking, with the other person as a partner in crime and source of comfort when things get too intense.
"If you want it, boys, get it here, thing
'Cause hope, boys, is a cheap thing, cheap thing"
Closing the song as it began, with the repeated refrain which serves as an anthem for seizing every opportunity in life and living life to the fullest, since hope (in this case) is unreliable and not worth relying on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
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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