i really like this song. in fact this is one of my favorite song of his. he shows real depth and very world relatible references. i think this song should be given more credit than it is getting.
At this point, Bowie was going for broke. He acknowledged within himself, that he had to project his worth to the world! Even here, he knew that he was uniquely capable of launching science fiction lyrics that equaled A.E. van Vogt's vision of demigods. In an alternate universe, he may have sustained this angst of initial adult expression, releasing imagery of mankind's folly. It was not to be so. Other interests complexed his interest and he grew even beyond this measure. But what poweful joys!
Even juvenile Bowie is lightyears ahead of most 21st cenury rubbish. This is one of his best early efforts. Full of anger and disdain and warnings to not believe in artificial solutions contrived by human fucking beings.
"Sacred dimension of time." It's all there if you have ears to hear. WARNING us not to stake our lives on anything that doesn't come from within, no matter how brilliant it may seem to be. Bowie, even knowing how keen his mind's invention was, was wise enough to know that you can't hang your beliefs on someone else's point of view. It would never be entirely appropriate for you. You better filter your belief system through your own proving ground and not follow any prophet blindly into oblivion!
When people start talking like it all has meaning and one day we will all live in harmony, this song comforts me, and reminds me that as we are, is how we will always be, and that we only need take it as long as we like it.
Departing from the awesomeness of Bowie for a moment, but doesn't this song make you think of Brainiac with a conscious? "My logic says BURN so send me away..."
As cold as it sounds, the David Bowie I know is really gone, headless, feeble, reverting to merely David Jones (just the signature on his checks). His dynamic spirit has gone elsewhere in the cosmos. It's in the scheme of things.
@Mr500characters .....bowie has an unlimited amount of characters left.....maybe you just don't like his songs after 84, and this is your dynamic way of saying it...(or did you actually ''know'' him?) why not be content with the music he made that you actually like, without reverting to insults disguised as some sort of fact...( i don't mean to sound cold)
Careful when you quote Mr. Bowie on which Bowie you're quoting. He sold out in 1984 with his hastily made Tonight album. From then on, his grace and creative powers declined rapidly. He was no longer the same man and could no longer deliver universal messages directly as he once did. Bowie today has little to do with what he was doing in the 70's. Sad but true. Somewhere, back in what's left of his mind, I'm sure he's proud of his earlier works even though he's probably incapable of deciphering.
Here's another Bowie quote that I just discovered for you that's much closer in time to the manifestation of this song and where he himself supports my premise: Tellingly, in 1973, David Bowie described the nature of his artistic inspiration to an interviewer by saying, "I've always felt like a vehicle for something else but then I've never really sorted out what that was.” This, from Bowie on Bowie that I have to believe. He was much more capable of seeing himself in accelerated awareness then.
@lune In conclusion, you're wrong or I am. I think you are, but thank you for trying to say something and letting me clarify my position. Perhaps you can see a seed of truth in what i said: There was some original intention. But even Bowie didn't know all that was going on with his future legacy. He wasn't meant to.
@lune You think Bowie's song writing was to just make money as a pop star? There is no way he would have chosen the works he did. More likely, if anything, he wanted the music to stand on its own, and not self-analyze as to be locked into some limited meaning that would work against his listener's fascinations. He's "much too fast to take that test". Discipline completed, then moved on. He's also stated that, during his early writing, he felt that "it was so important" at the time. He was right.
@luneproducts Finally, if a message "aint there", then what's the point of the art? Because he was compelled to write, didn't mean Bowie fully understood everything he was doing. Who does? The meanings are there for those who have ears to hear them. That's kind of the beauty of art isn't it? So before you tell me "what I need to realize" consider that imagination, fantasy is the most powerful map to meaning that exists. Those words and music were directed to do something beyond what you've said.
@luneproducts I'm glad you brought that up. You think that everyone who looked at the Mona Lisa came away with exactly with what da vinci intended? Do you think Einstein was infallible? He thought the universe was static, even though the facts were right in front of him. Isaac Asimov stated that if he knew "Nightfall" was going to be widely regarded as the greatest science fiction story of all time, that he would have been too scared to begin writing it! Great Artists deliver unrealized meaning.
@luneproducts Your opinion was a message. His quote was a message. Did Bowie ever contradict himself? The fact that he doesn't know who he is completely, in no way detracts from the meanings that were there. Maybe "it aint there" for you, but for many others the meanings of an artist have little to do with the artist's self-concept. True works of art are through you, not of you. The best works of art contain multiple meanings beyond original intention. Bowie's not his own best final authority.
@MariaNNaBoBos Well if I have something more interesting to say about Bowie I will probably try to say it here or some other song like Station To Station (album version) which doesn't add comments too fast either because it's another brilliant song that only gets a few visits. I've commented there recently on some other mysteries that you should find fascinating but true. Thanks for YOUR interest. I'll check back soon. Dig some weeks back on Heroes and Ashes to Ashes and you'll find more essays.
@Mr500characters to quote mr. Bowie: "I'm always amazed that people take what I say seriously. I don't even take what I am seriously." You need to realize that stuff like this song was just something from his imagination, fantasy, nothing more. It holds no secret message or anything. Same goes for Beatles music. Everybody tries to look for some message, but it ain't there.
The Man Who Sold The World. You think it's JUST a cool album title? His eclectic nature was no little coincidence. There are greater mysteries involved here than were even allowed to be imagined. The soul of the planet changed around the time of the Tonight album in (guess what) 1984! (Something familiar about that year). The transference of energy is the key. As David's relevance waned, so too, the morale and health of most human imagination waned as well.To What or whom did he sell the world?
THIS, the secret, IS that DAVID BOWIE was THE FOCAL POINT OF GRACE in time and space when he was at his creative peak. Not just through his music and performances, but by the mere fact of his mind's existence! His balanced CONSCIOUSNESS quickened the optimism of the whole human race. For a time, he single handedly carried the baton. Remember Blue Jean? Sometimes I feel like (oh, the whole human race). That, at the moment when the baton was being passed on. Which raises the obvious next question.
Lastly, there IS an answer to THAT paradox. Rember, a paradox only SEEMS to be contradictory! It's tied into everything. Ponder it. You know it's what's been nagging you all these years. But no one has been allowed to even ASK it in clear cut words: The question of, "why did civilization seem to peak in the humanities so quickly in the mid 1960' to mid 1980's and then degrade so rapidly into the devolution state we find ourselves in the 21st century. Why? Ponder it for a while among yourselves.
Sometimes (always), gleaning and verbalizing heretofore unstated ethereal truths ripped from the esoteric archives of the cosmic mind takes an effort likened to digging out a tunnel in the earth: It can be a lot of hard work initially. Then it even hurts more the next day. Regardless, you just have to do it anyway! But eventually you're gonna have a nice tunnel to go through. Until next time, take care .
Ashes to Ashes and Heroes ("official" videos) come to mind. I believe you will find some cosmically accurate and revolutionary thoughts concerning those songs (and what they are really all about from the big picture). Back track a couple of months ago and you should find a discourse of a few pages of comments that are probably some of the most important observations by anyone ever on those songs. I was given some insight on those that is thus far unparalleled in the anals of Bowie song analysis.
If you have found an interest in my comments (And you should, because they're FAR superior to any one else's. Sometimes I have an annoying habit of intentionally becoming confusing, like now, so that a new concept will be revealed even while it's happening), check out some of my other off-beat but on target analysis in various other (especially EMI) Bowie song's comments' archive. With some patience and backtracking, over the last few months, you will probably find that I HAVE written that book.
@Sonoman02 Thank you. You know, I SHOULD write a book. Not because I know more statistics or popular facts about Bowie, but because, in all honesty, I know what Bowie is and as quick as he is, I've had to stay one step ahead of him all the way. I know Bowie better than Bowie because I have an unfair advantage that's quite inexplicable, but true. The time may come when I compile the "basic patents". News from the ether makes inner truths burn us like madness. Thank you again, for your suggestion.
Here's the question that everyone's been afraid to ask:
With all the great inspiration and great music that came out of that era, why isn't there even GREATER INSPIRATION and GREATER MUSIC being created today that should have been fueled by that initial fire? Where has all that abundant talent in the arts gone that is almost non-existant today? How did those hopeful beginnings, good intentions turn into the jaded state that this world finds itself in now? It's a secret. I'm not going to tell.
Major Tom is Major TIME. In TIME, you will realize that means that all things begin and end in eternity. As foretold by another Newton. Back to the beginning. Back were you belong. Back where you came from. Good and bad. Depends on your point of view. What do you: get out of my mind. Where does that begin and for who. Go beyond where you think you are right now. This is all an illusion for your sake. More than meets the eye. A curse or a blessing. Don't look at the finger. Or you will miss out..
How do you follow up a singing career with a song that impacted the pop music world like E=mc2 impacted the scientific world? You do what Bowie did: use it as a challenge to make more songs equally brilliant but, afterward, expected to be. What a singularly narrow path! How ultimately rewarding to look back on that kind of body of work that only improves with age as mankind falls into a temporary retrograde orbit and needs these "basic patents" to refer to more than ever. Saviour Machine is one.
Remember the first time you heard Space Oddity? Where do you go from up? Think how William Shatner felt after perfectly portraying (becoming) Captain James T. Kirk for 3 seasons on Star Trek and then trying to tone down his performances for lesser roles. EVERYTHING thereafter was a lesser role! And no one could see him (or wanted to!) as anything less than a starship captain! So too, was all of Bowie's music unfairly weighed against Space Oddity (burdening/ challenging Bowie himself, no doubt ).
Space Oddity was the greatest song ever for pure novelty; brilliance, achieved at the very beginning of his career:1969! A blank page splashed with that initial, ethereal burst of genius already at a level beyond anything ever done or would ever be done by anyone ever again. Like 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Apollo program going on simultaneously, the era at the peak achievement of civilization! All else was derivitive and anticlimactic. So be it.
Newton, Einstein: greatest works done in their teens and twenties. Still geniuses later, of course. Something about YOUTH (earth's era then too) in the throws of pure brilliance is required, a GIVEN talent, only borrowed: sports, science, writing, acting, rock and roll, at their best, need the strength, innocence, endurance, and sheer balls of, well, a young person! Age brings other rewards, but I don't believe we're going to get anything as unique and purely original as, say, "Saviour Machine".
That is nothing to be ashamed of. My God, the body of work he squeezed out !(by necessity of sanity. HAD to tell it or go mad with all that he contained): Saviour Machine, Space Oddity, The Supermen, TVC 15, Station To Station, Life On Mars, 1984, Heroes, Jean Genie, Ashes To Ashes, Let's Dance, Putting Out Fire, All The Young Dudes, White Light White Heat, Aladdin sane, Suffragette city, Soul Love, Rebel Rebel, Moonage daydream, Lady From Another Grinning Soul, et. al.
Bowie in the past tense in no way indicates that I think that he is no longer with us. However, I coldly realize that his early creative period HAS expired, that Bowie is not the man he was. His essential music, given to him piecemeal directly from the cosmos, ended somewhere in the mid eighties during the Bluejean era. He can still be a great performer, might even write some inspired songs. A Bowie knife sharpened can cut silk scarves. Drop it once: you might cut bread but the scarves are safe.
@fortheloveoftunes Truer words were never spoken. Bowie was the perfect balance of male and female in one package. He was the focal point in time of yin/yang to be able to lend absolute sanity to the alien imagery forced into his consciousness. His unlikely career, his sexual controversy, the space oddities, The Man Who Fell To Earth were all meant to happen, as they happened, to reveal a greater mystery about who Bowie was: his importance to humankind. He had to happen for us to be in here now.
Bowie's burden: to deliver the music that came to him INTACT from the cosmic sense: as messenger to give glimpses of the future to advance the race consciousness. He was compelled to deliver verse as was meant to be and "never did anything out of the blue" (wasn't allowed to manipulate that future or change it but could speak in pure observation like a ghost). Information was given directly and he brought it to us with great discipline to keep it in its wholeness, to fullfill his raison d'être.
Lastly, there is (ironically) a great kindness in the angry message delivered: almost a premonition (or omen) that any external device created (false idol) that becomes more important than our own higher being, poses a danger in belief that something/someone else can do our soul-searching for us instead of relying on our own judgement and powers to solve our own moral dilemnas. So the one thing the Saviour Machine tells humanity is to "Send me away. Don't let me stay." Increase while I decrease.
This song almost creates and defines David Bowie on the spot! He is not the Saviour to put your trust in. He is the one that is crying in the wilderness of space, to look from within ourselves for salvation. You may be inspired by brilliant external information (Bowie) but there is no substitution for your own cosmic conscious genius or "homosuperior." As if he were saying that his songs are fingers to help point the way in/out. You have to do your own work in your own self purgatory/laboratory.
Perhaps his greatest talent was to introduce people to fascinating worlds within themselves by evoking new possibilities that didn't exist until he brought them into focus by lyrical invention.
Plainly states that Bowie's elevated gift of writing, agreed fascinating, is not a safe investment for anyone else to soley rely on to save them from mundanity. His disclosed interest is mainly with serving himself, pausing only to advise (or warn!) one to save themselves. Great biblical anger to incite!
The whole album concept had a dangerous edge to it that has never been quite duplicated entirely on any of Bowie's later whole albums. Far ahead of it's time (seems even more ahead of its time now, somehow), Bowie's anger to be heard came out and he grew up. At this point, he believed in himself and to hell with everyone esle! And it gained respect, really jumpstarting a thus far shaky music career. Not until 1984 and Station to Station would that awesome anger reemerge on some individual songs.
@Mr500characters station to station was in the 70s, not sure if are referencing the time period or the album considering station to station is not very "angry"
@quonnie4 Sorry for the ambiguity. I guess I needed 501 characters. I was speaking of the song Station To Station, not the album as a whole. This gives me a chance to clarify that. I believe Station To Station (the song) has great anger fueling the pace and lyrics if one looks deeply. And great creativiy came out of Bowie's early frustration at reaching and audience as the Thin White Duke. No, he never used that anger on any ENTIRE subsequent album. On occasion it would crop up again (eg.,1984).
@quonnie4 Again, that's 1984 (the song from the 70's, NOT the year). I hope that's clear. Have no fear. Thanks again for your interest, my dear. Good listening.
Not only is this song amazing, but brilliant, as well! Some people really use their heads! Good for the rest of us to follow suit and take a leaf out of their book!
@skyypilot Yes on it's day, it is for me too, although it IS difficult to decide with the only other competition from Hunky Dory & Ziggy Stardust ; an exraordinarily sublime trilogy of albums
Absolutely! From Ronson's inspired play, Tony Visconti's wildman bass, and Woodmansey's musical yet hard rock drumming, they get these jams going that are like Cream on steroids- only to fall into some classic hook with asymmetric meter. And Bowie? He had totally and thoroughly come into his own. The lyrics and his delivery on top of the musical arrangements and production make this album a Rock masterwork.
@uItravioIet That is so true... I do like his more contemporary music, but it's not as heartfelt (at least that's how I feel it).... and too much cocaine...
The Album, the first proper one of his seventies career is excellent. But I think the timing of it's release was at fault. This is a standout track because it is a proclamation of a turning point which jumps up later in Diamond Dogs. possibly explained by his " musical big score" affectations.The production is great for '71. But didn't I hear the synth on "Dr Snuggles". Mmm even cartoons copy bowie!! Gets into a top 10 of the 70,s
@Exeron91 ok let's go for an answer , that song rocks , of course, but it sounds like , well the time the moment, i don't know...you can heard that sound with pink floyd or many other bands from that time , what i'm saying is that is a song from bowie the chameleon, not really from bowie the genius....that's my point of view, no trollin, i'm bowie no1's fan
@Exeron91 As a kid, i didn't like the album cover (still don't really), im only listening to it now properly. The lyrics are astonishingly spiritually deep ... particularly this track. David's IQ must be off the scale. No ordinary dude.
@averilleX Had a different cover when we had it in 1972,a black 'Ziggy Stardust' era pic with Bowie doing a high kick ; was a recent re-issue back then obviously as the original, not a hit earlier, had been pulled
@Exeron91 I understand, it is a 'blessing' in disguise this song has not had such exposure as 'Changes'. Best way to ruin art to 'pop' audiences' on loop radio.
it was 1972 or 73 i think, and i paid $almost 2.95 for it. when the folks took me home and i had them put this album on the record player, i heard sounds that forever change my childhood. thanks bowie, you are the master
Bob Dylan does in my book but they are all unique and Bowie is one of the most unique artists of all time. I would place him above Dylan because of sheer diversity of song and lyric and compositions.
From the very beginning, we know we're in for something special. It's not an original concept, but originally presented it certainly is. Everything comes together perfectly.
@om121210 some say the view is crazy
scoofa 1 week ago
i really like this song. in fact this is one of my favorite song of his. he shows real depth and very world relatible references. i think this song should be given more credit than it is getting.
explosionpants17 3 weeks ago
At this point, Bowie was going for broke. He acknowledged within himself, that he had to project his worth to the world! Even here, he knew that he was uniquely capable of launching science fiction lyrics that equaled A.E. van Vogt's vision of demigods. In an alternate universe, he may have sustained this angst of initial adult expression, releasing imagery of mankind's folly. It was not to be so. Other interests complexed his interest and he grew even beyond this measure. But what poweful joys!
MrMajorTime 2 months ago in playlist Bowie
Even juvenile Bowie is lightyears ahead of most 21st cenury rubbish. This is one of his best early efforts. Full of anger and disdain and warnings to not believe in artificial solutions contrived by human fucking beings.
MrMajorTime 2 months ago in playlist Bowie 2
did he wonder up barr beacon with his fond a vu
om121210 3 months ago
this album is awesome
ReBooooo 3 months ago
Très réussi en cette fête d' Halloween
MegaAndreNo 3 months ago
"Sacred dimension of time." It's all there if you have ears to hear. WARNING us not to stake our lives on anything that doesn't come from within, no matter how brilliant it may seem to be. Bowie, even knowing how keen his mind's invention was, was wise enough to know that you can't hang your beliefs on someone else's point of view. It would never be entirely appropriate for you. You better filter your belief system through your own proving ground and not follow any prophet blindly into oblivion!
MrMajorTime 4 months ago in playlist Bowie
always one of my absolute favs of Bowie!!!
mimibett 6 months ago
Just don't believe in anything man-made.
MrMajorTime 6 months ago in playlist Bowie
sounds like an Alice Cooper song that you'd find on the Killer album, for some reason.
Ghaiyst 6 months ago
When people start talking like it all has meaning and one day we will all live in harmony, this song comforts me, and reminds me that as we are, is how we will always be, and that we only need take it as long as we like it.
BaalZobel 6 months ago 2
never fails to amaze me no matter how many times i listen
dogsbodyist 7 months ago
Departing from the awesomeness of Bowie for a moment, but doesn't this song make you think of Brainiac with a conscious? "My logic says BURN so send me away..."
JoeTheLion188 7 months ago
Happy Independence Day, United States of America!
MrMajorTime 7 months ago
Comment removed
jmpsthrufyre 7 months ago
mi prende all'animo come un piranha
leondinax 8 months ago
As cold as it sounds, the David Bowie I know is really gone, headless, feeble, reverting to merely David Jones (just the signature on his checks). His dynamic spirit has gone elsewhere in the cosmos. It's in the scheme of things.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@Mr500characters .....bowie has an unlimited amount of characters left.....maybe you just don't like his songs after 84, and this is your dynamic way of saying it...(or did you actually ''know'' him?) why not be content with the music he made that you actually like, without reverting to insults disguised as some sort of fact...( i don't mean to sound cold)
jmpsthrufyre 7 months ago
Careful when you quote Mr. Bowie on which Bowie you're quoting. He sold out in 1984 with his hastily made Tonight album. From then on, his grace and creative powers declined rapidly. He was no longer the same man and could no longer deliver universal messages directly as he once did. Bowie today has little to do with what he was doing in the 70's. Sad but true. Somewhere, back in what's left of his mind, I'm sure he's proud of his earlier works even though he's probably incapable of deciphering.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
Here's another Bowie quote that I just discovered for you that's much closer in time to the manifestation of this song and where he himself supports my premise: Tellingly, in 1973, David Bowie described the nature of his artistic inspiration to an interviewer by saying, "I've always felt like a vehicle for something else but then I've never really sorted out what that was.” This, from Bowie on Bowie that I have to believe. He was much more capable of seeing himself in accelerated awareness then.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@lune In conclusion, you're wrong or I am. I think you are, but thank you for trying to say something and letting me clarify my position. Perhaps you can see a seed of truth in what i said: There was some original intention. But even Bowie didn't know all that was going on with his future legacy. He wasn't meant to.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@lune You think Bowie's song writing was to just make money as a pop star? There is no way he would have chosen the works he did. More likely, if anything, he wanted the music to stand on its own, and not self-analyze as to be locked into some limited meaning that would work against his listener's fascinations. He's "much too fast to take that test". Discipline completed, then moved on. He's also stated that, during his early writing, he felt that "it was so important" at the time. He was right.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@luneproducts Finally, if a message "aint there", then what's the point of the art? Because he was compelled to write, didn't mean Bowie fully understood everything he was doing. Who does? The meanings are there for those who have ears to hear them. That's kind of the beauty of art isn't it? So before you tell me "what I need to realize" consider that imagination, fantasy is the most powerful map to meaning that exists. Those words and music were directed to do something beyond what you've said.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@luneproducts I'm glad you brought that up. You think that everyone who looked at the Mona Lisa came away with exactly with what da vinci intended? Do you think Einstein was infallible? He thought the universe was static, even though the facts were right in front of him. Isaac Asimov stated that if he knew "Nightfall" was going to be widely regarded as the greatest science fiction story of all time, that he would have been too scared to begin writing it! Great Artists deliver unrealized meaning.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@luneproducts Your opinion was a message. His quote was a message. Did Bowie ever contradict himself? The fact that he doesn't know who he is completely, in no way detracts from the meanings that were there. Maybe "it aint there" for you, but for many others the meanings of an artist have little to do with the artist's self-concept. True works of art are through you, not of you. The best works of art contain multiple meanings beyond original intention. Bowie's not his own best final authority.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@MariaNNaBoBos Well if I have something more interesting to say about Bowie I will probably try to say it here or some other song like Station To Station (album version) which doesn't add comments too fast either because it's another brilliant song that only gets a few visits. I've commented there recently on some other mysteries that you should find fascinating but true. Thanks for YOUR interest. I'll check back soon. Dig some weeks back on Heroes and Ashes to Ashes and you'll find more essays.
Mr500characters 8 months ago
@Mr500characters to quote mr. Bowie: "I'm always amazed that people take what I say seriously. I don't even take what I am seriously." You need to realize that stuff like this song was just something from his imagination, fantasy, nothing more. It holds no secret message or anything. Same goes for Beatles music. Everybody tries to look for some message, but it ain't there.
luneproducts 8 months ago
a wonderful song!!!!!
adric137 9 months ago
The Man Who Sold The World. You think it's JUST a cool album title? His eclectic nature was no little coincidence. There are greater mysteries involved here than were even allowed to be imagined. The soul of the planet changed around the time of the Tonight album in (guess what) 1984! (Something familiar about that year). The transference of energy is the key. As David's relevance waned, so too, the morale and health of most human imagination waned as well.To What or whom did he sell the world?
Mr500characters 9 months ago
@Mr500characters All you say is very interesting, but could you please message it to me or something?
Because it`s really tiring reading the comments one by one, I got a headache..
MariaNNaBoBos 9 months ago
THIS, the secret, IS that DAVID BOWIE was THE FOCAL POINT OF GRACE in time and space when he was at his creative peak. Not just through his music and performances, but by the mere fact of his mind's existence! His balanced CONSCIOUSNESS quickened the optimism of the whole human race. For a time, he single handedly carried the baton. Remember Blue Jean? Sometimes I feel like (oh, the whole human race). That, at the moment when the baton was being passed on. Which raises the obvious next question.
Mr500characters 9 months ago
A plague seems quite feasible now...
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Lastly, there IS an answer to THAT paradox. Rember, a paradox only SEEMS to be contradictory! It's tied into everything. Ponder it. You know it's what's been nagging you all these years. But no one has been allowed to even ASK it in clear cut words: The question of, "why did civilization seem to peak in the humanities so quickly in the mid 1960' to mid 1980's and then degrade so rapidly into the devolution state we find ourselves in the 21st century. Why? Ponder it for a while among yourselves.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Sometimes (always), gleaning and verbalizing heretofore unstated ethereal truths ripped from the esoteric archives of the cosmic mind takes an effort likened to digging out a tunnel in the earth: It can be a lot of hard work initially. Then it even hurts more the next day. Regardless, you just have to do it anyway! But eventually you're gonna have a nice tunnel to go through. Until next time, take care .
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Ashes to Ashes and Heroes ("official" videos) come to mind. I believe you will find some cosmically accurate and revolutionary thoughts concerning those songs (and what they are really all about from the big picture). Back track a couple of months ago and you should find a discourse of a few pages of comments that are probably some of the most important observations by anyone ever on those songs. I was given some insight on those that is thus far unparalleled in the anals of Bowie song analysis.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
If you have found an interest in my comments (And you should, because they're FAR superior to any one else's. Sometimes I have an annoying habit of intentionally becoming confusing, like now, so that a new concept will be revealed even while it's happening), check out some of my other off-beat but on target analysis in various other (especially EMI) Bowie song's comments' archive. With some patience and backtracking, over the last few months, you will probably find that I HAVE written that book.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
@Sonoman02 Thank you. You know, I SHOULD write a book. Not because I know more statistics or popular facts about Bowie, but because, in all honesty, I know what Bowie is and as quick as he is, I've had to stay one step ahead of him all the way. I know Bowie better than Bowie because I have an unfair advantage that's quite inexplicable, but true. The time may come when I compile the "basic patents". News from the ether makes inner truths burn us like madness. Thank you again, for your suggestion.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Here's the question that everyone's been afraid to ask:
With all the great inspiration and great music that came out of that era, why isn't there even GREATER INSPIRATION and GREATER MUSIC being created today that should have been fueled by that initial fire? Where has all that abundant talent in the arts gone that is almost non-existant today? How did those hopeful beginnings, good intentions turn into the jaded state that this world finds itself in now? It's a secret. I'm not going to tell.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
@Mr500characters Why don´t you write a book??? :)
Sonoman02 10 months ago
so @dakkonsol do you know he's not dead nor can be?
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Major Tom is Major TIME. In TIME, you will realize that means that all things begin and end in eternity. As foretold by another Newton. Back to the beginning. Back were you belong. Back where you came from. Good and bad. Depends on your point of view. What do you: get out of my mind. Where does that begin and for who. Go beyond where you think you are right now. This is all an illusion for your sake. More than meets the eye. A curse or a blessing. Don't look at the finger. Or you will miss out..
Mr500characters 10 months ago
How do you follow up a singing career with a song that impacted the pop music world like E=mc2 impacted the scientific world? You do what Bowie did: use it as a challenge to make more songs equally brilliant but, afterward, expected to be. What a singularly narrow path! How ultimately rewarding to look back on that kind of body of work that only improves with age as mankind falls into a temporary retrograde orbit and needs these "basic patents" to refer to more than ever. Saviour Machine is one.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Remember the first time you heard Space Oddity? Where do you go from up? Think how William Shatner felt after perfectly portraying (becoming) Captain James T. Kirk for 3 seasons on Star Trek and then trying to tone down his performances for lesser roles. EVERYTHING thereafter was a lesser role! And no one could see him (or wanted to!) as anything less than a starship captain! So too, was all of Bowie's music unfairly weighed against Space Oddity (burdening/ challenging Bowie himself, no doubt ).
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Bowie can be compared to the legendary Merlin:
Space Oddity was the greatest song ever for pure novelty; brilliance, achieved at the very beginning of his career:1969! A blank page splashed with that initial, ethereal burst of genius already at a level beyond anything ever done or would ever be done by anyone ever again. Like 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Apollo program going on simultaneously, the era at the peak achievement of civilization! All else was derivitive and anticlimactic. So be it.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Newton, Einstein: greatest works done in their teens and twenties. Still geniuses later, of course. Something about YOUTH (earth's era then too) in the throws of pure brilliance is required, a GIVEN talent, only borrowed: sports, science, writing, acting, rock and roll, at their best, need the strength, innocence, endurance, and sheer balls of, well, a young person! Age brings other rewards, but I don't believe we're going to get anything as unique and purely original as, say, "Saviour Machine".
Mr500characters 10 months ago
That is nothing to be ashamed of. My God, the body of work he squeezed out !(by necessity of sanity. HAD to tell it or go mad with all that he contained): Saviour Machine, Space Oddity, The Supermen, TVC 15, Station To Station, Life On Mars, 1984, Heroes, Jean Genie, Ashes To Ashes, Let's Dance, Putting Out Fire, All The Young Dudes, White Light White Heat, Aladdin sane, Suffragette city, Soul Love, Rebel Rebel, Moonage daydream, Lady From Another Grinning Soul, et. al.
He's done enough for us.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
Bowie in the past tense in no way indicates that I think that he is no longer with us. However, I coldly realize that his early creative period HAS expired, that Bowie is not the man he was. His essential music, given to him piecemeal directly from the cosmos, ended somewhere in the mid eighties during the Bluejean era. He can still be a great performer, might even write some inspired songs. A Bowie knife sharpened can cut silk scarves. Drop it once: you might cut bread but the scarves are safe.
Mr500characters 10 months ago
MY GOD WHAT A SONG!
pfotis87 11 months ago
@fortheloveoftunes Truer words were never spoken. Bowie was the perfect balance of male and female in one package. He was the focal point in time of yin/yang to be able to lend absolute sanity to the alien imagery forced into his consciousness. His unlikely career, his sexual controversy, the space oddities, The Man Who Fell To Earth were all meant to happen, as they happened, to reveal a greater mystery about who Bowie was: his importance to humankind. He had to happen for us to be in here now.
Mr500characters 11 months ago
@Mr500characters You know he's not dead, right.
dakkonsol 10 months ago
Bowie's burden: to deliver the music that came to him INTACT from the cosmic sense: as messenger to give glimpses of the future to advance the race consciousness. He was compelled to deliver verse as was meant to be and "never did anything out of the blue" (wasn't allowed to manipulate that future or change it but could speak in pure observation like a ghost). Information was given directly and he brought it to us with great discipline to keep it in its wholeness, to fullfill his raison d'être.
Mr500characters 11 months ago
Or go absolutely mad if he didn't release these energies into the world...
Mr500characters 11 months ago
It´s a man, It´s a woman, It´s Bowieman! .-)
fortheloveoftunes 11 months ago
Lastly, there is (ironically) a great kindness in the angry message delivered: almost a premonition (or omen) that any external device created (false idol) that becomes more important than our own higher being, poses a danger in belief that something/someone else can do our soul-searching for us instead of relying on our own judgement and powers to solve our own moral dilemnas. So the one thing the Saviour Machine tells humanity is to "Send me away. Don't let me stay." Increase while I decrease.
Mr500characters 11 months ago
This song almost creates and defines David Bowie on the spot! He is not the Saviour to put your trust in. He is the one that is crying in the wilderness of space, to look from within ourselves for salvation. You may be inspired by brilliant external information (Bowie) but there is no substitution for your own cosmic conscious genius or "homosuperior." As if he were saying that his songs are fingers to help point the way in/out. You have to do your own work in your own self purgatory/laboratory.
Mr500characters 11 months ago
Perhaps his greatest talent was to introduce people to fascinating worlds within themselves by evoking new possibilities that didn't exist until he brought them into focus by lyrical invention.
Mr500characters 11 months ago
Don't let me stay.
Don't let me stay.
My logic says, "Burn!"
So send me away.
You're minds are too green.
I despise all I've seen.
You can't stake your lives on a Saviour Machine!
Plainly states that Bowie's elevated gift of writing, agreed fascinating, is not a safe investment for anyone else to soley rely on to save them from mundanity. His disclosed interest is mainly with serving himself, pausing only to advise (or warn!) one to save themselves. Great biblical anger to incite!
Mr500characters 11 months ago
Bowie's Man Who Sold The World
what a Musical Masterpiece.,Truly
The Very Best Of BOWIE !!!!!!!!!
jlr41877 1 year ago
My God, what a voice that man had. Terrific song too! Thanks :-)
sitithesecond 1 year ago
Best album ever !
moondog50002000 1 year ago
Sometimes I wonder if I confuse people on purpose. Other times I'm sure of it.
Mr500characters 1 year ago
look if you are a Bowie fan this song is not underated
consider youyself lucky to be a Bowie fan
the rest
well they may never know
dfg297lpopdirk 1 year ago
all the songs are underrated. this is one of the best bowie-albums ever. so much ideas, the band is wonderful ...
HolgerHelfert 1 year ago
bowies underrated hit song
brayrrero 1 year ago
The whole album concept had a dangerous edge to it that has never been quite duplicated entirely on any of Bowie's later whole albums. Far ahead of it's time (seems even more ahead of its time now, somehow), Bowie's anger to be heard came out and he grew up. At this point, he believed in himself and to hell with everyone esle! And it gained respect, really jumpstarting a thus far shaky music career. Not until 1984 and Station to Station would that awesome anger reemerge on some individual songs.
Mr500characters 1 year ago
@Mr500characters station to station was in the 70s, not sure if are referencing the time period or the album considering station to station is not very "angry"
quonnie4 1 year ago
@quonnie4 Sorry for the ambiguity. I guess I needed 501 characters. I was speaking of the song Station To Station, not the album as a whole. This gives me a chance to clarify that. I believe Station To Station (the song) has great anger fueling the pace and lyrics if one looks deeply. And great creativiy came out of Bowie's early frustration at reaching and audience as the Thin White Duke. No, he never used that anger on any ENTIRE subsequent album. On occasion it would crop up again (eg.,1984).
Mr500characters 1 year ago
@quonnie4 Again, that's 1984 (the song from the 70's, NOT the year). I hope that's clear. Have no fear. Thanks again for your interest, my dear. Good listening.
Mr500characters 1 year ago
cod apocalypse
simonbath 1 year ago
I doubt that kurt could of ever do this one
frank02111 1 year ago
This has always been my favorite song, and my favorite bowie album.
ChannelDandyKing 1 year ago
Main riff ripped off from "After All"...
carmichael2411 1 year ago
Good to hear this again ,and I remember all the lyrics, grew up with the mans music it's ingrained on the brain most of it anyway.
kew4612 1 year ago
Not only is this song amazing, but brilliant, as well! Some people really use their heads! Good for the rest of us to follow suit and take a leaf out of their book!
MyScarletFall 1 year ago
this is my favorite (or should I say favourite - lol) Bowie album. You NEVER hear most of the songs from the album and that's a shame!
skyypilot 1 year ago
@skyypilot Yes on it's day, it is for me too, although it IS difficult to decide with the only other competition from Hunky Dory & Ziggy Stardust ; an exraordinarily sublime trilogy of albums
kenfig 1 year ago
@skyypilot
Absolutely! From Ronson's inspired play, Tony Visconti's wildman bass, and Woodmansey's musical yet hard rock drumming, they get these jams going that are like Cream on steroids- only to fall into some classic hook with asymmetric meter. And Bowie? He had totally and thoroughly come into his own. The lyrics and his delivery on top of the musical arrangements and production make this album a Rock masterwork.
bloozplyr 1 year ago
Blaaaah Blaaaah Bllaaaaa h Please disagree with me Blllllllllllllllllla Crack the whiPp let's here you play you da}
AWPHIP B David is the BEST he's defineaterldjapWVEw ly Baxterlisiously MAGZIVEIFiEd
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magziveify 1 year ago
"They called it the Prayer, its answer was law
Its logic stopped war, gave them food
How they adored till it cried in its boredom
'Please don't believe in me, please disagree with me
Life is too easy, a plague seems quite feasible now
or maybe a war, or I may kill you all"
So deep.....
MonsterHorror 1 year ago 4
very cool!
adric137 1 year ago
ziggy stardust is fucking overrated i dont see the big deal with that album the music in it wasnt that good it was average at best
royalnash 1 year ago
Bowie was so much more fun when he was a gay/trans pioneer.
uItravioIet 1 year ago
@uItravioIet That is so true... I do like his more contemporary music, but it's not as heartfelt (at least that's how I feel it).... and too much cocaine...
bimtav 1 year ago
The Album, the first proper one of his seventies career is excellent. But I think the timing of it's release was at fault. This is a standout track because it is a proclamation of a turning point which jumps up later in Diamond Dogs. possibly explained by his " musical big score" affectations.The production is great for '71. But didn't I hear the synth on "Dr Snuggles". Mmm even cartoons copy bowie!! Gets into a top 10 of the 70,s
Davmicon 1 year ago
one of the best Bowie songs
adric137 1 year ago
Man, Bowie had a lot of good albums.
ezramead 1 year ago
all time favourite david bowie song.
it's immense, and the lyrics and brilliant. all written by someone so young.:)
Starman123baby 1 year ago
Whole album rocked!,oh,by jingo!
Anaris10 1 year ago
lovely lovely dark david. lovely to listen with wine, lovely to drown
aqajahua 2 years ago
THE 'INERNET' WILL BECOME 'SELF-CONCIOUS' ON JUNE 21 2012 - you have been warned!
profbarkingmad 2 years ago
I agree Exeron91, in fact they should listen to whole Man WhoSold theWorld album
IanBrains 2 years ago 2
I wish i was Bowie...shame he's a genious...and i can't even spell genious
WonderBread006 2 years ago 6
Best album and raddest song on it!!!!!!!!!! Def my favourite bowie song!!!!!!!!!!!
BADRATT2008 2 years ago 6
It bothers me why this song hasn't become more famous. It's truly an underrated song that should be heard by any Bowie fan
Exeron91 2 years ago 57
@Exeron91 ok let's go for an answer , that song rocks , of course, but it sounds like , well the time the moment, i don't know...you can heard that sound with pink floyd or many other bands from that time , what i'm saying is that is a song from bowie the chameleon, not really from bowie the genius....that's my point of view, no trollin, i'm bowie no1's fan
axle4896 1 year ago
@axle4896 Yeah, digging deeper into Bowie´s music I´ve also come to realize that now. However, this is truly one of his best albums still.
Exeron91 1 year ago
@Exeron91 As a kid, i didn't like the album cover (still don't really), im only listening to it now properly. The lyrics are astonishingly spiritually deep ... particularly this track. David's IQ must be off the scale. No ordinary dude.
averilleX 1 year ago 2
@averilleX Had a different cover when we had it in 1972,a black 'Ziggy Stardust' era pic with Bowie doing a high kick ; was a recent re-issue back then obviously as the original, not a hit earlier, had been pulled
kenfig 1 year ago
@Exeron91 Every TRUE Bowie fan has heard this song and recognizes how great it is!
TheSonicchick 1 year ago 2
@Exeron91 agreed.
DLPBurke 1 year ago
@Exeron91 in fact the whole album is underrated. Supermen and She Shook Me Cold are also great!
DLPBurke 1 year ago
@Exeron91 absolute classic
tokaicarl 8 months ago
@Exeron91 I understand, it is a 'blessing' in disguise this song has not had such exposure as 'Changes'. Best way to ruin art to 'pop' audiences' on loop radio.
katrastrophy 4 months ago in playlist Rock n' roll
Beautiful coockney, beautiful song!
antheaize 2 years ago 22
it was 1972 or 73 i think, and i paid $almost 2.95 for it. when the folks took me home and i had them put this album on the record player, i heard sounds that forever change my childhood. thanks bowie, you are the master
glynamus 2 years ago 12
check out "bowie ching a ling"
gringolazlo 2 years ago 2
beautiful compilation....shows what a Bowie lover you are.....sweet!
To me, no one touches him, no one comes close even.....
candyernie 2 years ago 9
Bob Dylan does in my book but they are all unique and Bowie is one of the most unique artists of all time. I would place him above Dylan because of sheer diversity of song and lyric and compositions.
DLPBurke 2 years ago 10
@DLPBurke And his hair
redsandmountain 1 year ago
@redsandmountain and that ;)
DLPBurke 1 year ago
my fave bowie album.
DLPBurke 2 years ago 8
From the very beginning, we know we're in for something special. It's not an original concept, but originally presented it certainly is. Everything comes together perfectly.
GosnDejo 2 years ago 3
when he says send me away i despise all i've see I got chills. Such a great song
metrosfan 2 years ago
incredible song throughout - vocals, guitars, drums and keyboards! An early, dark and edgy David Bowie
jgingerjfginger 3 years ago 7
TO BE PLAYED AT MAX VOLUME!
Bongobobby9 3 years ago 8
totally agrred. This is a great song and a classy story too.
DLPBurke 3 years ago 3
One from Bowie's genius period. Magnificent.
cephal0p0d 3 years ago 5
bowie's always a genius!
ahliiis 3 years ago
"or I may kill you all...."
elleryman 3 years ago 3
president joe is also joe the plummer....
icu60 3 years ago 2
his wittyness and story like lyrics are unique
aoat27 3 years ago 2
more surreal stream of conciousness stuff from Bowie. I love the darkness, I love how he just takes off where he wants, love it love it!
supportedhousinggrad 3 years ago 2
the Vice Squad's cover was pretty cool too.
NemesisoftheGods 3 years ago
wonderful song,thanks for posting!!!!
keith25658 3 years ago
5 stars. Great song, great riff. Under appreciated
DLPBurke 4 years ago 2
Too bad there is no bowie video for this song. Decent sound though. 3 stars.
zoetic12 4 years ago