Me and David Bowie
Ian McCulloch Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey now David Bowie
Thanks for all you showed me
Like how to smoke a cigarette better than anyone
And how to wear my overcoat so cool that I could freeze the sun
The school of David Bowie
Was where I learnt to know me
You taught me how to sparkle, and to realise what darkness means
You're the man who told my world
And understood my stardust dreams
Tell me, tell me, what's gone on
Tell me, tell me nothing's wrong
Tell me, tell me
Tell me nothing's wrong
Remember when you met me
Time took one of my ciggies
And put it in your mouth while your fingers pulled on my destiny
I remember when I met you by the Mediterranean Sea
So tell me, tell me, what's gone on
Tell me, tell me nothing's wrong
Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
Tell me nothing's wrong, tell me nothing's wrong
Tell me nothing's wrong, tell use nothing's wrong
Now hear this David Bowie
Thanks for all you showed me
Like how to smoke a cigarette better than anyone
And how to wear my overcoat so coot that I could freeze the sun
Tell me, tell me what's gone on
Tell me, tell time nothing's wrong
Yeah tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me
Tell me nothing's wrong
Seems so long ago now
You were the start of my story
So long ago now
You were the heart and the glory
Just want you to know now
All you did for me
Just wanted to know now
If you're hunky dory
Just want you to know now
All you did for me
Just wanted to know now
That you're hunky dory




Just wanted to know now
That you're hunky dory

Overall Meaning

The song "Me and David Bowie" by Ian McCulloch is a tribute to the iconic musician, David Bowie, who had a strong influence on McCulloch's musical journey. The lyrics express gratitude towards Bowie, thanking him for showing him how to smoke a cigarette and how to wear his overcoat with style. McCulloch credits the "school of David Bowie" with teaching him how to sparkle and understand the depths of darkness. He sees Bowie as the man who understood his stardust dreams and helped him know himself better.


The song also references a moment when McCulloch met Bowie by the Mediterranean Sea, where time seems to have frozen as they shared a cigarette and talked about destiny. McCulloch is nostalgic about the past but is also hopeful that Bowie is doing well in the present ("tell me, tell me nothing's wrong"). The song ends with McCulloch acknowledging that Bowie was the start of his story, the heart, and the glory, and he wants Bowie to know how much he appreciates everything he did for him.


Overall, the lyrics of "Me and David Bowie" are a heartfelt tribute to an artist who had a significant impact on McCulloch's musical career. The song expresses gratitude, admiration, and nostalgia for a time when Bowie was a beacon of hope and inspiration for many musicians.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey now David Bowie
The singer is addressing David Bowie.


Thanks for all you showed me
The singer is expressing gratitude to David Bowie for the things he taught him.


Like how to smoke a cigarette better than anyone
David Bowie was a role model for the singer, who learned from him how to smoke a cigarette elegantly.


And how to wear my overcoat so cool that I could freeze the sun
David Bowie taught the artist how to wear his overcoat with a nonchalant style that could impress anyone.


The school of David Bowie
The artist sees David Bowie's influence as a form of education.


Was where I learnt to know me
The singer credits David Bowie with helping him discover himself.


You taught me how to sparkle, and to realise what darkness means
David Bowie showed the singer how to shine and also helped him embrace his darkest side.


You're the man who told my world
David Bowie was the person who spoke to the artist about things that had a profound impact on him.


And understood my stardust dreams
David Bowie was someone who could relate to the artist's aspirations of becoming a star.


Tell me, tell me, what's gone on
The artist is asking David Bowie for an update on how he's doing and what he's been up to.


Tell me, tell me nothing's wrong
The singer wants David Bowie to reassure him that everything is okay.


Remember when you met me
The artist is recalling a past encounter with David Bowie.


Time took one of my ciggies
The singer lost a cigarette over time.


And put it in your mouth while your fingers pulled on my destiny
David Bowie took the singer's cigarette and smoked it while they had a conversation, which the singer feels had destiny-altering consequences.


I remember when I met you by the Mediterranean Sea
The singer is reminiscing about the time when he first met David Bowie.


Now hear this David Bowie
The artist has David Bowie's attention.


Seems so long ago now
The artist is acknowledging how much time has passed since he first met David Bowie.


You were the start of my story
The singer sees his relationship with David Bowie as the beginning of his life's journey.


You were the heart and the glory
David Bowie was a key figure in the singer's life, representing the best and most important things.


Just want you to know now
The artist is reaching out to David Bowie.


All you did for me
The artist is expressing gratitude for everything that David Bowie has done for him.


If you're hunky dory
The artist is asking if David Bowie is doing well.


Just wanted to know now
The singer is reiterating his desire to connect with David Bowie.


That you're hunky dory
The artist wants David Bowie to be okay.




Contributed by Sadie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Dean Morton

Great tribute.

Foxiepaws ACAnderson

Yep we all learned all our best tricks from Mr. David Bowie. ...I miss him it's so strange. ..a world without Bowie???

Mike Keel

RIP Mr Bowie!

More Versions