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)
Zeroes
David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names
And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames
Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels
And a toothless past is asking you how it feels
Fair weather heart has fallen in
My rainyday girl is feeling down
And she tells me that the world is spinning round
I say the dream was all for you
You're nobody else
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
Yeah
Yeah
Oh yeah
Hi, can I walk you home again today?
Gotta get forgive and forget hey hey
Something good is happening and I don't know what it is
Don't you know we're back on trial again today
And it's breaking wine for you
Hell, it's only 'cause you're true
Someone outtimed my heart
Stopping and preaching and letting love in
You are my moon, you are my sun
Heaven knows what you are
Tonight the zeroes are singing for you
Yes, they were
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
You
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
It doesn't matter what you try to do
(Ah ah aha)
(Ah ah aha)
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter what you try to do
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter where you try to go
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter who we really are
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
It really doesn't matter
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
The lyrics of David Bowie's "Zeroes" have a surreal and dreamlike quality to them, making it difficult to interpret them in a literal sense. The song begins with the image of arriving in a place with a thousand different names, implying a sense of disorientation and confusion. The line about the fabulous sons crashing their planes in flames could be read in a number of ways, but may be a reference to youth and potential (the "sons") being consumed by self-destructive behavior.
The chorus of "Tonight the zeroes were singing for you" is potentially referencing the idea of starting over or beginning from scratch (as zeroes are the starting point), but it's unclear exactly what that means in the context of the song. The lines about forgiveness and a toothless past could suggest a desire to let go of old mistakes and move forward, though again, the meaning is somewhat ambiguous.
The final lines of the song seem to reiterate the idea that none of it really matters- where you try to go, who you really are- perhaps implying a sense of futility or nihilism. Despite the song's enigmatic lyrics, it maintains a sense of urgency and emotion throughout.
Some potential interpretations of the song may include: a commentary on the fleeting nature of youth and the importance of taking risks while one still can, a meditation on the cyclical nature of time, or a portrait of someone struggling with their own identity and place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names
You are in a place where there are many different identities and personas.
And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames
The extraordinary individuals have met their downfall.
Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels
The future offers a chance to make amends for past mistakes.
And a toothless past is asking you how it feels
Your past mistakes are still a part of you and they are questioning your current state of being.
And me, my little red Corvette has driven by
I am driving by in my car.
Fair weather heart has fallen in
My heart only remains steadfast in favorable conditions.
My rainyday girl is feeling down
My lover who is only present in bad times is unhappy.
And she tells me that the world is spinning round
She expresses that everything seems chaotic.
I say the dream was all for you
I tell you that the fantasy world we were in only existed for your sake.
You're nobody else
The dream was meant only for you, and no one else.
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
The zeroes represent emptiness, and they were singing only for you, creating an eerie feeling.
Hi, can I walk you home again today?
Can I accompany you home again today?
Gotta get forgive and forget hey hey
We need to let go of past mistakes.
Something good is happening and I don't know what it is
Something positive is occurring, but the source is unknown.
Don't you know we're back on trial again today
We are being judged or criticized again today.
And it's breaking wine for you
Wine is being poured out for you, perhaps as a sign of celebration.
Hell, it's only 'cause you're true
This celebration is occurring because you are authentic.
Someone outtimed my heart
Someone made my heart beat faster.
Stopping and preaching and letting love in
We are pausing to share love.
You are my moon, you are my sun
You are both the light in my darkness and the heat in my cold.
Heaven knows what you are
You are a mystery to me.
Tonight the zeroes are singing for you
The emptiness surrounds you again.
Yes, they were
This is the confirmation that the zeroes were present.
It doesn't matter what you try to do
Your actions do not have an impact.
(Ah ah aha)
Vocalization
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Repeatedly emphasizing the idea that actions do not matter.
Doesn't matter what you try to do
It remains true that your actions do not have an impact.
Doesn't matter where you try to go
Your destination does not matter, as your actions will still be insignificant.
Doesn't matter who we really are
Regardless of our identities, the actions we take do not matter.
It really doesn't matter
The message is clear that our actions have no significance.
Doesn't matter
The repetition drives home the point that our actions are irrelevant.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris Zobin
Bowie distanced himself from NLMD when the critics panned it. In turn, many fans took a cue from Bowie and kept their distance. Plus, it's important to consider Bowie's fan base at that time. Many of his older, original fans (like me) felt alienated beginning with Let's Dance. We were replaced by new ones, who actually began leaving the pack when Tonight came out.
I've always seen NLMD as kind of a sad little orphan album without much of a support group. I'm one of the few long-time, hard-core, Bowie fans who actually likes this record. I agree with you that NLMD has a stronger setlist than Let's Dance and Tonight.
I've always been bothered by how much flak NLMD has gotten over the years, while Let's Dance gets lauded and Tonight wiggles off the hook. It's fine if people don't like NLMD and criticize it, but I feel they should be just as harsh as the two predecessors.
My biggest criticism of NLMD is how it was engineered ... which is very odd, given Bowie's major league status. The album has a light, tinny, sound. These 2018 re-imaginings really beef up the sound and I like them.
It's too bad Tony Visconti, Carlos Alomar, George Murray and Dennis Davis weren't brought in to save the day!
Collin Morris
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah, yeah
You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names
And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames
Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels
And a toothless past is asking you how it feels
And me, my little red corvette has driven by
Fair weather heart has fallen in
My rainyday girl is feeling down
And she tells me that the world is spinning round
I say the dream was all for you
You're nobody else
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
Yeah
Hi! Can I walk you home again today?
Gotta get forgive and forget hey hey
Something good is happening and I don't know what it is
Don't you know we're back on trial again today
And it's breaking wine for you
Hell!, it's only 'cause you're true
Someone outtimed my heart
Stopping and preaching and letting love in
You are my moon, you are my sun
Heaven knows what you are
Tonight the zeroes are singing for you
Yes, they were
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
You
Tonight the zeroes were singing for you
You
It doesn't matter what you try to do
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter what you try to do
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter where you try to go
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter who we really are
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)
Doesn't matter
Sharyln Cheah Ching Ching
[Intro]
Yeah Yeah[x3]
[Verse 1]
You've arrived in the land of a thousand different names
And the fabulous sons have crashed their planes in flames
Now tomorrow is back claiming redemption is on your heels
And a toothless past is asking you how it feels
And me my little red Corvette has driven by
Fair weather heart has fallen in
My rainy day girl is feeling down
And she tells me that the world is spinning round
I say the dream was all for you
You're nobody else
[Chorus]
Tonight the Zeroes were singing for you
Yeah
[Verse 2]
Hi, can I walk you home again today
Got to get forgive and forget hey, hey
Something good is happening and I don't know what it is
Don't you know we're back on trial again today
And it's breaking wine for you
Hell it's only because you're true
Someone out-timed my heart
Stopping and preaching and letting love in
You are my moon, you are my sun
Heaven knows what you are
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Doesn't matter what you try to do[x2]
Doesn't matter where you try to go
Doesn't matter who we really are
Doesn't matter[x7]
[Outro]
Oh
It doesn't matter
Oh
Oh it doesn't matter
Oh
Doesn't matter
Oh
Doesn't matter
Oh
Doesn't matter[x3]
Doesn't matter what you try to do
fantasizingfuzz
You know an artist is a genius when you've been a fan for 20 years and still discover new stuff from him.
Tracy-Paul O' Brien
@fantasizingfuzz Never let me down, is my fav. its fab.
Tracy-Paul O' Brien
@Jason Harshman Thanks mate, glad i didnt listen then.
Vern Pascal
Richard-Yes-just heard Julie for the first time last night. Another Gem. Don't Look Down is another great one. He just effortlessly sounds like a Jamaican pop star with a great voice on there. Hell, like Shining Star, if it was Michael Jackson, or Earth,Wind And Fire, or Prince who did it, than it would be regarded as a classic.
Henrik Tronstad
Perpetually Disturbed A fan for 36 years...
Richard Grandmont
Check out "Julie", a B-side from the NLMD sessions. (They didn't remake it, but it's great as is.)
Shannon Smith
I'm one of the few that actually likes the "never let me down album." It's kind of a cheesy side of Bowie in some respects but the album is kind of upbeat in a way that most his albums are not and it's still very creative. I don't mind the 80's production because I bought the cassette in the 80's when it came out. Having said all this, I love this new "Zeroes" recording for one big reason- it really brings out Bowie's fantastic vocals to the forefront especially early in the song and with less echo effects- you can really hear him especially before the drums kick in. It was a fun little song and great vocals- it only needed a better streamlined production which it now has. I actually hear a lot of Dylan in verse section of the vocals.
One big disappointment in the upcoming new album version is that they didn't redo "too dizzy" and left it off completely because apparently Bowie hated the song and didn't even put it on the re-release in the 90's - which really isn't fair to the faithful that bought it again for a cleaner sounding CD- personally I liked "too dizzy" .....and also the bonus track in the Japanese CD was called "girls" and it's actually a good song too.
Xenodroid
I like this album in a “so bad it’s great” way. It’s overproduced and the sound is more dated than most of his other albums, but at least it isn’t Tonight or Pin Ups. Those 2 are pretty much unlistenable for me
Davide Sabia
never let me down is best album
Venthrac
Yeah, I like it a lot.