Fame
David Bowie feat. John Lennon Lyrics
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Fame lets him loose, hard to swallow
Fame puts you there where things are hollow (fame)
Fame, it's not your brain, it's just the flame
That burns your change to keep you insane (fame)
Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
Fame, (fame) it's mine, it's mine, it's just his line
To bind your time, it drives you to crime (fame)
Is it any wonder I reject you first?
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Is it any wonder you are too cool to fool? (fame)
Fame, bully for you, chilly for me
Got to get a rain check on pain (fame)
Fame
Fame, fame, fame
Fame, fame, fame
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Fame, fame, fame
Fame, what's your name?
Fame
In David Bowie's "Fame '90 Remix," the lyrics explore the idea of fame and the effects it has on individuals who attain it. Bowie sings about fame giving someone power and control over others, but at the same time, it also causes them to lose touch with reality. He suggests that fame can be intoxicating and drives people to do things they otherwise would not do. The lyrics mention fame being a flame that consumes and changes a person, leading them to commit acts of crime. The concept of borrowing and needing to borrow in order to maintain fame is also emphasized. Bowie's lyrics highlight the negative aspects of fame and how it can lead to a person losing themselves and their sanity in the process.
Overall, the song suggests that the pursuit of fame may lead to a loss of oneself and one's sanity. The lyrics convey the message that fame may look glamorous and desirable from the outside, but ultimately it can be detrimental to a person's well-being. Bowie's lyrics in "Fame '90 Remix" offer a unique perspective on fame that is not often discussed in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Fame makes a man take things over
Fame gives a man the power to control things
Fame lets him loose, hard to swallow
Fame makes a man feel free, but it's difficult to handle
Fame puts you there where things are hollow (fame)
Fame takes you to a place where everything feels empty and meaningless
Fame, it's not your brain, it's just the flame
Fame isn't about intelligence or talent, it's just about the attention it brings
That burns your change to keep you insane (fame)
The constant need for fame can exhaust and even drive a person crazy
Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame can provide materialistic pleasures which may be short-lived and superficial
Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
The fame one has today may disappear tomorrow without warning
Fame, (fame) what you need you have to borrow Fame
Often, the fame one has is not enough, and they have to rely on others to get more of it
Fame, (fame) it's mine, it's mine, it's just his line
Fame belongs only to oneself, but it's just a superficial concept created by society
To bind your time, it drives you to crime (fame)
Being famous can make you feel as if your life is constrained by time, and this pressure can lead to making rash, illegal decisions
Is it any wonder I reject you first?
Is it a surprise that one would reject fame before it rejects them?
Fame, fame, fame, fame
The repetition of 'fame' emphasizes its importance and the constant desire for it
Is it any wonder you are too cool to fool? (fame)
Is it any wonder that famous people often become aloof in order to protect themselves from those who try to take advantage of them?
Fame, bully for you, chilly for me
Fame is a great thing for some, but for others, it can be cold and unforgiving
Got to get a rain check on pain (fame)
Fame can help you avoid pain for a limited time, but eventually, one will have to face it
Fame
The one-word line again emphasizes the importance and the constant presence of fame
Fame, fame, fame
Repetition of the word 'fame' again highlights its significance
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Another repetition of the word 'fame' to emphasize its hold over people
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Yet another repetition of the word 'fame' to drive home its importance
Fame, fame, fame
The final repetition of the word 'fame' to end the song with its lingering presence
Fame, what's your name?
The final line is a reminder that fame is just a concept created by society and that it doesn't define a person's true identity or worth
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Carlos Alomar, David Bowie, John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind