Sunday, January 22, 2012

Song Analysis 3 David Bowie: Changes

David Bowie’s “Changes” is a song I’m sure we’ve all heard. In many ways the lyrics reflect elements of Bowie’s personal life; he was known for constantly reinventing himself by altering his personality, his physical appearance, and the style of his music. He is androgeny; he is mystery and he is confusion all rolled into one star.

“Changes” is an anthem of this perpetual Bowie evolution. Bowie takes on the roll of the outsider, looking back on a life and trying to understand it. The narrator is ultimately unable to understand, as he is older, wisened, adult. “Changes” praises the virtue of accepting that change is an inevitable part of life. As an adult, he labels youth as the target of scorn of older generations because they don’t understand.

The protagonist must face the inevitable changes in his life, embrace the strange, fascinating puberty-like stages; they are a part of living.

Lyrics:
I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

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