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)
White Light/White Heat
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White light - White light gonna make me feel so insane
White heat - White shapin' them down to my toes
White light - White light's got it now, goodness knows
White light - White light gonna drive me out of my mind
White light - White light's surely gonna make me blind
White heat - White shaping way down to my toes
Oh, Oh, White light
Oh, Oh, White light
Oh, Oh, White heat
Oh, Oh, White heat
White light - White light gonna drive me out of my brain
White light - White light gonna make me feel so insane
White heat - White shapin' them down to my toes
White light - White light's got it now, goodness knows
White light - White light gonna drive me out of my mind
White light - White light's surely gonna make me blind
White heat - White shaping way down to my toes
White light - White light could kill me now, goodness knows
[Chorus x 2]
White light's a-flashing
White light
Still feels right
What's that sound, what's that sound
Don't turn on, be dead or alive
No feeling
Here she comes
Oww, yeah
(Oh, oh, oh, oh) here she comes
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Ah, ah, ah, ah)
The song "White Light/White Heat" by David Bowie is a fast-paced, high-energy track that captures the intensity and sensory overload brought on by drugs, specifically speed or amphetamines. The repetitive lyrics create a sense of urgency and disorientation, and the rapid guitar riffs and pulsating beat further complement the chaotic vibe of the song. The repeated lines "white light - white heat" serve as a nod to the physical effects of using the drug, as a user may experience a feeling of heat or sweatiness before ultimately crashing.
Throughout the song, Bowie seems to be warning of the dangers of drug use, as the lyrics suggest that it could "drive me out of my mind" or even "kill me now." However, the chorus of "white light's a-flashing, still feels right" acknowledges the addictive nature of the drug and the temporary pleasure it can provide.
Overall, "White Light/White Heat" is a frenetic, hard-hitting track that delves into the highs and lows of drug use and the potentially fatal consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
White light - White light gonna drive me out of my brain
The brightness from the light is affecting his mind so much that it’s driving him crazy.
White light - White light gonna make me feel so insane
The power of the light is making him feel insane.
White heat - White shapin' them down to my toes
The heat from the light is affecting his body, starting from the toes.
White light - White light's got it now, goodness knows
The power of the light is growing and seems to be unstoppable.
White light - White light gonna drive me out of my mind
The brightness from the light is affecting his state of mind so much that it could drive him insane.
White light - White light's surely gonna make me blind
The brightness from the light is so intense that it could potentially damage his sight.
White heat - White shaping way down to my toes
The heat from the light is affecting his entire body, starting from the toes.
White light - White light could kill me now, goodness knows
The power of the light is so overwhelming that it could potentially kill him.
Lyrics © SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jackiegeritz5345
White light, White light goin' messin' up my mind
White light, and don't you know its gonna make me go blind
White heat, aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, Oh have mercy white light have it goodness knows
White light, White light goin' messin' up my brain
White light, Aww white light its gonna drive me insane
White heat, Aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, Aww white light I said now goodness knows, do it
Hmm hmm, White light
Aww I surely do love to watch that stuff tip itself in
Hmm hmm, White light
Watch that side,
Watch that side don't you know it gonna be dead in the drive
Hmm hmm, White heat
Hey foxy mama watchin' her walk down the street
Hmm hmm, White light
Come up side your head gonna make a deadend on your street
White light, White light moved in me through my brain
White light, White light goin' makin' you go insane
White heat, Aww white heat it tickle me down to my toes
White light, Aww white light I said now goodness knows
White light, Aww white light it lighten up my eyes
White light, don't you know it fills me up with surprise
White light, Aww white heat tickle me down to my toes
White light,
Aww white light I tell you now goodness knows, now work it
Hmm hmm, White light
Aww she surely do moves me
Hmm hmm, White light
Watch that speed freak,
Watch that speed freak everybody gonna go and make it every week
Hmm hmm, White heat
Aww sputter mutter everybody gonna go kill their mother
Hmm hmm, White light
Here she comes, here she comes,
Everybody get 'n gone make me run to her
Dịch sang Tiếng Việt
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Lou Reed
@xiangyiwang8219
Never knew that Bowie had performed this song live... all thanks to you! Excellent editing
@theWARMJET
a few times later, I didnt knew that he did it with Ziggy. Fab with the great Mick Ronson 🤘
@chacal1178
Bowie não necessita de apresentações. SIMPLISMENTE FANTÁSTICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Tommy_Cockles
I was at this gig....what a Brilliant night that was, good to see my memories alive on youtube, thanks for uploading and god bless you David Bowie, im sure your now playing the great gig in heaven.
.
@magnuslindstrom2908
My aunt was also there, not me though. I was four years old back Rhen.
@orangebean325
Just nailing those harmonies.
@FranzSausage
This is my favourite version of this song. Lou Reeds version is also great but i prefer this one.
@garyhall2329
Mine too
@anmowie7817
cela fait déjà 5 ans qu il est parti rejoindre les étoiles
Des millions de fans dont nous sommes continuent à le faire vivre par leur ferveur et en s immergeant encore et encore dans son univers où il est présent si proche de nous
RIP David we love you for ever and never ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@ysabelcornelivre3392
Excellent! And happy birthday Lou 😍