During 1974, she did a cover of two of David Bowie's classic songs, "The Man Who Sold the World" and "Watch That Man". Bowie himself produced the recordings and played saxophone, and provided back-up vocals on it. There were also rumours that they had a brief affair at the time. Lulu confirmed these rumours in her 2002 autobiography. Bowie, perhaps characteristically, evaded comment on the subject.
The Man Who Sold the World
Lulu & David Bowie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes "I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago"
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years, I roamed
I gazed a gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago
Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
"Man Who Sold the World" is a mysterious song with lyrics that are full of contradictions and confusion. At the beginning of the song, the singer meets someone on the stairs who claims that they are friends, despite the fact that the singer thought they had died a long time ago. The fact that the singer was not there questioning reality and who or what is really there. The line "I thought you died alone, a long long time ago" reveals that there's a sense of doubt and confusion about the person's identity and their supposed death.
The chorus of the song, "Oh no, not me, I never lost control" shows the singer is trying to convince themselves that they have not lost control, even though everything seems out of their control. It is a way of maintaining their sanity and solidity in a world that is slowly losing its own. The confrontation or meeting with the man who sold the world is metaphorical in a context that the person may have sold a part of himself for success or fame.
The confusion of the lyrics reflects the uncertainty of the world and its expectations. It is a song about identity, reality, and power. The meaning of the lyrics is left open to interpretation, and it is up to the listener to decide what they mean.
Line by Line Meaning
We passed upon the stair
We crossed paths while climbing the stairs
We spoke of was and when
We talked about the past and its timing
Although I wasn't there
Even though I wasn't physically present
He said I was his friend
He referred to me as his friend
Which came as some surprise
This revelation was unexpected
I spoke into his eyes "I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago"
I looked directly at him and said, "I thought you passed away by yourself a while back."
Oh no, not me
I am not that way
I never lost control
I have always been in charge of my life
You're face to face
You're in front of
With the man who sold the world
The person who made an enormous impact and greatly influenced the world is right in front of you
I laughed and shook his hand
I laughed and greeted him
And made my way back home
And went back to my own place
I searched for form and land
I looked for stability and territory
For years and years, I roamed
For an incredible length of time, I wandered aimlessly
I gazed a gazely stare
I looked out with a glare full of wonder
At all the millions here
At all the throngs who were there in abundance
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago
We likely perished by ourselves a long time back
Who knows? Not me
Who can say? Certainly not I
We never lost control
We were always in charge
You're face to face
You're directly in front of
With the man who sold the world
The person who greatly influenced and had a significant impact on the world is right in front of you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jackie M Reekie
She was bloody good at it xxx 👏👏👏👏🥂
Michael Lomax
Originally a hit for her in 1974
Jim Craig
Ok im ready for the hate but this is my favourite version as I feel it was pretty much written for a woman to sing, don't ask me why
Goblin King
No hate from me... I love this version too. I'm just not sure it's better than Bowie's. 🤪
2koolken
The video's description says #Lulu had the hit but #Nirvana had the hit with it too. I believe this was (1 of) his last memorable/famous singles.
#TheManWhoSoldTheWorld
William Wallace
Umm, it wasn't and Bowie never released the song as a single.
Goblin King
@William Wallace I think it appeared as the B-Side of the Life On Mars? single though. 😀
David Bloxham
Brilliant!!
Benny Dudkevitch
Nice !
Tim Mountain
Surely this was 1974 not 1975?!