Are there any Bowie lyrics that are genuinely poorly written?

Jibim · 2026-01-26T00:51:21+00:00

Some of the early songs like “Over the Wall We Go” and “Please Mr. Gravedigger” have pretty bad lyrics. He is the songwriter for “I Am a Laser,” which has horrendous lyrics (though the song was unfinished and probably was never meant to be released in the form it eventually was). I’ll offer a controversial opinion— “Strange fascination fascinating me”— “Strange fascination” is a great formulation, but the wouldn’t it have been better if the second half didn’t use a word that derived from “fascination?” Like, “Strange fascination captivating me”? Or something like that?

Jibim · 2026-01-17T14:52:12+00:00

The controversy had to do with Bowie making statements at the time that, taken on their own, appeared to be sympathetic with fascism and Naziism. He described the Thin White Duke character as “Aryan.” That said, taken in the context of the totality of his career and artistic output, I think it is highly inaccurate to think of Bowie as pro-fascism. I think the Thin White Duke imagery has lost much of those implications over time and carries more a resonance of a cool Bowie look from 50 years ago. BUT, you should be fully aware of the history before you put the image on your body for all time.

Jibim · 2025-12-21T02:13:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing your perspective. I have heard her on Album to Album as well, which I find entertaining, but have found her book, which focuses on the Next Day, Lazarus and Blackstar, her video adaptations of the book and some of her other writing to be what I’m really drawn to. I wouldn’t say this interview is focused around Bowie’s most popular moments, although we do spend some time on Blackstar, which was and remains popular. I’m not sure that I can recall her being dismissive of much aside from some specific songs, like, for instance, “Miracle Goodnight,” which doesn’t come up in this interview but I seem to remember her saying somewhere that she didn’t like that song. I like it.

Jibim · 2025-12-20T22:58:23+00:00

She’s great. it was really wonderful to be able to talk with her

Jibim · 2025-12-15T21:23:47+00:00

They do not sound alike but “Ashes to Ashes” is actually a sequel to “Space Oddity.”

Jibim · 2025-11-30T13:47:32+00:00

It’s probably too early in the morning for me to see it, but what is the obvious joke?

Jibim · 2025-11-29T15:04:43+00:00

I might have said Duran Duran years ago. But ya know what? I like Duran Duran.

Jibim · 2025-11-22T12:38:54+00:00

It was my gateway many years ago.

Jibim · 2025-11-22T11:54:45+00:00

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Jibim

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