Fame
RC Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song "Fame" by David Bowie and John Lennon (credited as co-writer) examines the phenomenon of fame and its effect on those who achieve it. The lyrics suggest that fame can empower an individual to take control of their life and afford them luxuries and opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable. At the same time, however, fame can be isolating and disorienting, stripping the individual of their sense of self and bringing about existential emptiness. The song underscores the notion that fame is not a marker of intelligence or talent but rather a byproduct of society's obsession with image and public personas.
Throughout the song, Bowie's vocals convey a sense of detachment and cynicism as he sings about the negative effects of fame. He touches upon themes of materialism, unpredictability, exploitation, and the loss of individuality. A sense of irony pervades the song as well, with Bowie's exclamation of "fame, what's your name?" suggesting a sarcastic take on the notion that fame is the only metric of one's worth.
Overall, "Fame" is a commentary on the paradoxical nature of fame and the ways in which it both empowers and constrains those who achieve it. It speaks to the fragility of our identities in the face of societal expectations and the cost of sacrificing one's true self in pursuit of fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Fame makes a man take things over
Fame gives a person the power to control everything.
Fame lets him loose, hard to swallow
Famous people are allowed to do whatever they want, even if it's unpalatable to others.
Fame puts you there where things are hollow (fame)
Fame puts you in the spotlight but it can be an empty experience.
Fame, it's not your brain, it's just the flame
That burns your change to keep you insane (fame)
Fame is not about intelligence but something that makes someone go crazy because they're scared of losing it.
Fame, (fame) what you like is in the limo
Fame, (fame) what you get is no tomorrow
Fame, (fame) what you need you have to borrow Fame
Fame offers you everything you want, but it's temporary, and sometimes you have to borrow it when you can't afford it.
Fame, (fame) it's mine, it's mine, it's just his line
To bind your time, it drives you to crime (fame)
The person who has fame controls everything, including your time, and it can drive you to do illegal things in order to maintain that fame.
Is it any wonder I reject you first?
Fame, fame, fame, fame
Is it any wonder you are too cool to fool? (fame)
The lack of trust between someone who is trying to get famous and those around them is understandable, as people are not fools and can see through them.
Fame, bully for you, chilly for me
Got to get a rain check on pain (fame)
Fame may be great for you, but for others, it can be cold and lonely, and they may have to deal with difficult situations later in life (hence '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, what's your name?
Fame
The repetition of 'fame' emphasizes the way fame can take over people's lives, and the final line, 'Fame, what's your name?' suggests that fame is the only thing that is truly remembered about a person.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carlos Alomar, David Bowie, John Lennon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind