Look Up, David Bowie’s in Heaven in Eerily Foreshadowing ‘Lazarus’ Video
The Reverend Shawn Amos January 11, 2016
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 – ”Lazarus,” David Bowie (2016)
Last Thursday, one day before David Bowie’s 69th birthday, he released the video for his single, “Lazarus.” The following day, Jan. 8, his 25th album, Blackstar, was released to great critical acclaim. And two days later, on Jan 10, David Bowie shockingly died, after an 18-month battle with cancer. It’s impossible to watch ”Lazarus” and not think you are seeing one of our great artists choreographing his own death. This is as close to a goodbye as we’ll get from David Bowie. Bowie wasn’t much for hellos or goodbyes. He always came and went as he pleased.
Or maybe it’s the perfect goodbye. Bowie’s death was “sudden” only because his long slow illness was his secret. But it gave him time to plan his affairs. “Lazarus” is a man writing his own obituary in all the impressionistic, oblique language we would expect from someone who so generously gave his art while viciously guarding his life. In the Bible, Lazarus was the brother of Mary, whom Jesus raised from the dead. It’s fertile ground for a songwriter dying of cancer. In the video, Bowie lies on a hospital bed, screws in his eyes, outstretched like Jesus.
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 cell phone down below
Bowie writhes on the bed. Was he in pain in this final days? The announcement from his Twitter account says he died peacefully in his sleep. In the video, a shadowy female reaches from underneath the bed.
By the time I got to New York I was living like a king Then I used up all my money I was looking for your a–
We see the writer furiously getting out his thoughts on paper. He cannot write fast enough, and the paper isn’t large enough to contain his words. He writes down the side of the desk. He’s running out of time. Is he writing a goodbye letter? His last will and testament? Nonsensical ramblings induced by pain meds? Writers, fans, and curiosity-seekers will undoubtedly pore over the lyrics to Blackstar looking for confessional clues. They’ll come up empty. Bowie was not into clues. Bowie was a painter. Of images. Of words. Of imaginary places borne of fantasies and nightmares. He was a man who always looked up to the heavens. He knew we were made of stars and all destined to return to space and dust. Ashes to ashes.  The above photo — used as the cover of David Bowie’s 1977 album Heroes — sums up everything. He was the man everyone loved and no one knew. David Bowie is… was… that most precious of artists. He gave us all of his art yet none of himself. It was none of our business. His sexuality, marriage, fatherhood, and even his cancer were his and his alone.
This way or no way You know, I’ll be free Just like that bluebird Now ain’t that just like me.
The final act of “Lazarus” ends with Bowie backing himself into an armoire and closing himself shut in it. Is he hiding? Burying himself alive? Dying? You’re free, David Bowie, back to outer space from whence you came. And we’re left here to wonder.
just watched part of that video..... touching it is
RIP
1995 San Francisco San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
Man, I'm gutted. VH1 Classics was really promoting his new album this weekend. They aired a couple of hours of Bowie videos including the new one for Lazarus (which in retrospect is pretty haunting). I loved Bowie and his various personas. I was looking forward to seeing if he'd tour in support of Blackstar, and had no idea he was even sick.
"I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
Man, I'm gutted. VH1 Classics was really promoting his new album this weekend. They aired a couple of hours of Bowie videos including the new one for Lazarus (which in retrospect is pretty haunting). I loved Bowie and his various personas. I was looking forward to seeing if he'd tour in support of Blackstar, and had no idea he was even sick.
He announced he was retiring from touring recently. This could have been a hint and that thought of him maybe being near death did cross my mind then.
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brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,792
Man, I'm gutted. VH1 Classics was really promoting his new album this weekend. They aired a couple of hours of Bowie videos including the new one for Lazarus (which in retrospect is pretty haunting). I loved Bowie and his various personas. I was looking forward to seeing if he'd tour in support of Blackstar, and had no idea he was even sick.
He announced he was retiring from touring recently. This could have been a hint and that thought of him maybe being near death did cross my mind then.
My brother saw Bowie around the time of Ziggy Stardust and still tells of how epic that show was. Wish I'd seen him back then or any time. Hard to believe I never saw him. Harder to believe he's gone now.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
The only reason I know this guys name is because Kurt Cobain said it was a David Bowie Song before he broke out into the rendition of The Man Who Sold The World during Nirvana Unplugged. Other than that I have no idea who this guy is.
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hedonist
standing on the edge of forever Posts: 24,524
The only reason I know this guys name is because Kurt Cobain said it was a David Bowie Song before he broke out into the rendition of The Man Who Sold The World during Nirvana Unplugged. Other than that I have no idea who this guy is.
No it's true. I have no idea of this guys music. If anything the disrespect shown is a false picture of him?
As applies to the un-related last sentence - people fuck up, no? - I tend to put sentiment above image. It'll be fixed. I'm sure the folks on that site weren't trying to be assholes...
And really, you know of NO Bowie songs? Fine. Unusual but I'll buy into that. Still no reason to be discourteous.
I must censor myself except to say, respect and love for Bowie. Long live the memory of one of the greatest.
Yes.
And Mods - should the need to review arise - would be pretty fucking sad in this circumstance actually - please take into account....well, what, or who, should be taken into account.
very sad day. Haven't been hit this hard since Robin Williams. But love all of the outpouring of love. Even to this second on my social media wall for David.
Someone posted this on FB today and although it's not a Bowie song, he's singing and I thought it was perfect. (Actually it's interesting how many "perfect" tributes people have posted today - there are so many Bowie songs that mean so much to so many people.)
I must censor myself except to say, respect and love for Bowie. Long live the memory of one of the greatest.
Yes.
And Mods - should the need to review arise - would be pretty fucking sad in this circumstance actually - please take into account....well, what, or who, should be taken into account.
Someone posted this on FB today and although it's not a Bowie song, he's singing and I thought it was perfect. (Actually it's interesting how many "perfect" tributes people have posted today - there are so many Bowie songs that mean so much to so many people.)
why? people are paying tribute to a musical icon. show some respect.
The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.
why? people are paying tribute to a musical icon. show some respect.
It is hard to take anything seriously when you have a wrassler dressed as music icon. Look, I have no doubt this bowie guy made good music during his time but that doesn't mean the PJ forum should be subdued because of his demise. PJ is eroding.
why? people are paying tribute to a musical icon. show some respect.
It is hard to take anything seriously when you have a wrassler dressed as music icon. Look, I have no doubt this bowie guy made good music during his time but that doesn't mean the PJ forum should be subdued because of his demise. PJ is eroding.
subdued? really? this is not the porch, the entire forum doesn't have to be all about PJ, if you want to tell everybody how you feel about 'this bowie guy' go post your opinions on the porch...the thread over there has much more traffic.
The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.
why? people are paying tribute to a musical icon. show some respect.
It is hard to take anything seriously when you have a wrassler dressed as music icon. Look, I have no doubt this bowie guy made good music during his time but that doesn't mean the PJ forum should be subdued because of his demise. PJ is eroding.
there were like 3 pages of condolences to the guy from one of those MTV jackass type shows who died from a drunk driving accident. This is the least we could do to a man who influenced and brought joy to many with his music.
why? people are paying tribute to a musical icon. show some respect.
It is hard to take anything seriously when you have a wrassler dressed as music icon. Look, I have no doubt this bowie guy made good music during his time but that doesn't mean the PJ forum should be subdued because of his demise. PJ is eroding.
So stop posting in this thread. You say you never heard of Bowie and don't know any of his songs. Fine. Find another thread to post in.
Please don't get this thread locked. This thread should remain for people who want to celebrate the life of David Bowie.
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brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,792
Sending out love to all my fellow Bowie fans.
(All else is ignored here.)
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.
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Kat
There's a lot to be said for nowhere. Posts: 4,776
(Part of a celebration of a life that inspires and has meaning to many. Anyone who wants to make a donation to the fight against cancer, this might be a good time.
Comments
RIP
1995 San Francisco
San Jose
San Diego 2 shows
2003 Missoula
2005 Missoula
2006 Denver 2 shows with Tom Petty
Gorge 2 shows
2009 Utah
LA1
LA2
2012 Missoula : Meet and Greet : "Instant Classic show"
2013 Portland
Spokane
2018 Missoula
Prague Krakow Berlin 2018. Berlin 2022
EV, Taormina 1+2 2017.
I wish i was the souvenir you kept your house key on..
LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
Other than that I have no idea who this guy is.
Kind of rude but not surprising.
It's been a tough day for some. For many.
*edit - show some fucking respect.
I have no idea of this guys music.
If anything the disrespect shown is a false picture of him?
And really, you know of NO Bowie songs? Fine. Unusual but I'll buy into that. Still no reason to be discourteous.
And Mods - should the need to review arise - would be pretty fucking sad in this circumstance actually - please take into account....well, what, or who, should be taken into account.
Or not.
Who knows?
Not me.
(or as my grammar-nazi would say - "not I")
Gonna crank up some Ziggy!
LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
thanks for posting
i watched the whole
video..
love them both
both of them
unique so original
and alway stay
classics..
Scooting my ass to bed on that lovely note.
8/28/98- Camden, NJ
10/31/09- Philly
5/21/10- NYC
9/2/12- Philly, PA
7/19/13- Wrigley
10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
10/21/13- Philly, PA
10/22/13- Philly, PA
10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly
Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly
- Christopher McCandless
Look, I have no doubt this bowie guy made good music during his time but that doesn't mean the PJ forum should be subdued because of his demise.
PJ is eroding.
- Christopher McCandless
Please don't get this thread locked. This thread should remain for people who want to celebrate the life of David Bowie.
(All else is ignored here.)
Church Bells Ring Out 'Space Oddity' In Spine-Tingling David Bowie Tribute
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/david-bowie-tribute-church-bells_5694e550e4b086bc1cd5189a