RIP Bowie

RKCNDY

Interesting article:
https://www.yahoo.com/music/look-up-david-bowie-s-1340767215509558.html





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.

Gillycw

^^^ yes it is, thanks for sharing

deadendp

Sprunkn7

I was not expecting this news this morning. Very sad.

eeriepadave

kinda weird that him and Lemmy died right around their birthdays.

SD48277

eeriepadave

WXPN in philly is playing Bowie all day

Dr. Delight

eeriepadave said:

WXPN in philly is playing Bowie all day

I didnt realize his first Live album was from Tower Theater in Philly.

hedonist

Hobbes said:

I have no words. Well, two... fuck cancer

With ya, Hobbes.

Actually sitting here crying.

Who Princess

So shocked. I don't know what to say.
Thank you for the music, Mr. Bowie.

PJ_ROCKS

RKCNDY said:

Interesting article:
https://www.yahoo.com/music/look-up-david-bowie-s-1340767215509558.html





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

2-feign-reluctance

RIP - I never listened to your music before.

23scidoo

I saw him just once, back in '96..one of the greatest preformer i have ever see..RIP SIR..

jeffbr

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.

InHiding80

jeffbr said:

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.

brianlux

InHiding80 said:

jeffbr said:

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.

ldent42

https://www.facebook.com/Slate/videos/10153727467536438/

PJfanwillneverleave1

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.

hedonist

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

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.

Is this under the guise of sarcasm?

Kind of rude but not surprising.

It's been a tough day for some. For many.


*edit - show some fucking respect.

PJfanwillneverleave1

No it's true.
I have no idea of this guys music.
If anything the disrespect shown is a false picture of him?