David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World [2020 Mix] [Official Lyric Video]

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[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (14 children)

For years when I met Bowie fans I would ask them about the meaning of this song and no one had a clue. I don't know either but it really gets my imagination going.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (10 children)

I always thought that it was literally about Judas Iscariot / meeting satan. but i guess that explains maybe 1 line.*

[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (9 children)

Well, he was surely playing footsie with the devil all through his adult life. I think that you are right, or as right as anyone can be about a Bowie song. You and Muskie have explained it for me. It's about the duality of man. Remember the scene in Full Metal Jacket when the colonel asks Joker why he's wearing a peace symbol and Born to Kill on his helmet. "What does it represent?" the colonel asks. "The duality of man, sir." That's the key: one character in two parts. Thanks.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (8 children)

I dig this duality aspect. Heck yeah I remember Joker. Okay since we've come this far, this comment section might have your answers. I end up here once in a while trying to figure out songs: https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/42516/

WARNING: potential blackpills, always

[–]Bigs 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Fuck you

[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

Thanks, will try now.

[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

When I opened your link, it was on the page for the song we're discussing. I think you saw it but I'll copy it for others who may come along. It's from Wiki and Bowie is speaking:

"I guess I wrote it because there was a part of myself that I was looking for. Maybe now that I feel more comfortable with the way that I live my life and my mental state (laughs) and my spiritual state whatever, maybe I feel there's some kind of unity now. That song for me always exemplified kind of how you feel when you're young, when you know that there's a piece of yourself that you haven't really put together yet. You have this great searching, this great need to find out who you really are."

That is very satisfying. Thanks.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

No problem man. It's quite a cryptic song for how popular it is. That quote doesn't help me understand any better :/

I think it's about when he talked to some DMT elves. Or he's talking about going to hell permanently and meeting Judas.

[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (3 children)

Bowie admitted he didn't remember recording Station to Station (one of his best ~'75) because of his heavy coke intake. So, he might have just made up the quote but it, and your Old Scratch interpretation, works for me.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

That's so nuts to not remember an entire album. I imagine* that he had an infinite coke supply in a socially acceptable era... that would fuck with anyone.

[–]hennaojichan 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

There is an interview with Bowie on YouTube and he is way tooo high. He is picking at something like invisible spider webs in front of his face. There is a name for that condition but I cannot recall it. Oh, no. As you said, at that time it was more socially acceptable (sorta) so if you were in a certain kind of restaurant and the lights were low, you might put out a few lines and do them right there. Then came Reagan and the yuppies and no one would admit to ever smoking a joint. How I loved to tease those people. But getting back to what you said, it would be better if I didn't have an infinite supply...maybe just one brick.

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

I thought it was about Bowie's identity, the song doesn't have two characters.

[–]hennaojichan 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Maybe you're right but: "We passed upon the stair, talked of where and when..." sounds like two. All right, I never thought of it that way but anything is possible with him. Will give your idea some thought. I saw him on his last tour and he played way longer than he had to. And he was with his beautiful black wife. It's 4 am over here and my insomnia is acting up. The wife just gave me a sleeping pill and some wine. She has to ration such things out to me when it's late like this or I will scarf up everything. It's a stormy night on saidit, eh? Day for you.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I was supposed to see Bowie when he was in town years ago, but got into a fight with the wife and didn't go. Oh well.

I feel ya on the insomnia. I was just going to bed at noon and waking at five in the evening. I kept trying to get into a normal day/night cycle even if I didn't sleep very long. Finally just demolished a handle of rum last night, that worked.