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Yes, Bowie really did write "Life On Mars?" as a "parody" of Sinatra's signature song "My Way," his English adaption of the French "
Comme d'habitude" having been rejected (Paul Anka eventually got the gig and wrote the lyrics).
Not that you would gather this from the characteristically oblique lyrics.
One interprets Bowie at their peril.
Ronno arranged the epic strings,
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David Jones addresses his half-brother Terry's suicide after years of suffering schizophrenia and institutionalization,
Blackstar, recorded in secret, was released 8 January, 2016, David's 69th birthday.
en.wikipedia.org
David Robert Jones -- David Bowie -- died 10 January, 2016.
en.wikipedia.org
★
Song by
David Bowie
In the villa of Ormen, in the villa of Ormen
Stands a solitary candle, ah-ah, ah-ah
In the centre of it all, in the centre of it all
Your eyes
On the day of execution, on the day of execution
Only women kneel and smile, ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, at the centre of it all
Your eyes, your eyes
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
In the villa of Ormen, in the villa of Ormen
Stands a solitary candle, ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, at the centre of it all
Your eyes, your eyes
Ah-ah-ah
Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre and stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
(I'm a blackstar, I'm a blackstar)
How many times does an angel fall?
How many people lie instead of talking tall?
He trod on sacred ground, he cried loud into the crowd
(I'm a blackstar, I'm a blackstar)
(I'm not a gangstar)
I can't answer why (I'm a blackstar)
Just go with me (I'm not a filmstar)
I'ma take you home (I'm a blackstar)
Take your passport and shoes (I'm not a popstar)
And your sedatives, boo (I'm a blackstar)
You're a flash in the pan (I'm not a Marvel star)
I'm the Great I Am (I'm a blackstar)
I'm a blackstar, way up, on money, I've got game
I see right, so wide, so open-hearted pain
I want eagles in my daydreams, diamonds in my eyes
(I'm a blackstar, I'm a blackstar)
Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre then stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
(I'm a blackstar, I'm a star's star, I'm a blackstar)
I can't answer why (I'm not a gangstar)
But I can tell you how (I'm not a flam star)
We were born upside-down (I'm a star's star)
Born the wrong way 'round (I'm not a white star)
I'm a blackstar (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
I'm not a gangstar, I'm a blackstar
I'm a blackstar (ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
I'm not a pornstar, I'm not a wandering star
(Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh)
I'm a blackstar, I'm a blackstar
In the villa of Ormen stands a solitary candle
Ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, your eyes
On the day of execution, only women kneel and smile
Ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, your eyes, your eyes
Ah-ah-ah
Songwriters: David Bowie. For non-commercial use only.
en.wikipedia.org
Lazarus
Song by
David Bowie
Look up here, I'm in Heaven
I've got scars that can't be seen
I've got drama, can't be stolen
Everybody knows me now
Look up here, man, I'm in danger
I've got nothing left to lose
I'm so high, it makes my brain whirl
Dropped my cellphone down below
Ain't that just like me?
By the time I got to New York
I was living like a king
There I used up all my money
I was looking for your ass
This way or no way
You know, I'll be free
Just like that bluebird
Now, ain't that just like me?
Oh, I'll be free
Just like that bluebird
Oh, I'll be free
Ain't that just like me?
Songwriters: David Bowie. For non-commercial use only.
The final track from the final album.
David was terminally ill with liver cancer while recording
Blackstar. He knew he was dying.
The merry trickster bares his soul yet, again characteristically, invites us to peg an impenetrable moving target (aka Bowie).
en.wikipedia.org
I Can't Give Everything Away
Song by
David Bowie
I know something is very wrong
The post returns for prodigal songs
With blackout harks with flowered muse
With skull designs upon my shoes
I can't give everything
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
Away
Seeing more and feeling less
Saying no but meaning yes
This is all I ever meant
That's the message that I sent
I can't give everything
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
Away
I know something is very wrong
The post returns for prodigal songs
The blackout harks with flowered muse
With skull designs upon my shoes
I can't give everything
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
I can't give everything
Away
I can't give everything
Away
Songwriters: David Bowie. For non-commercial use only.