David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Cash girls suffer me, I’ve got no enemies
I’m walking down
It’s nothing to me
It’s nothing to see
If I'll never see the English evergreens, I’m running to
It’s nothing to me
It’s nothing to see

[Chorus 1]
I’m dying to push their backs against the grain
And fool them all again and again
I’m trying to
We bitches tear our magazines
Those oligarchs with foaming mouths come
Now and then
Can’t believe for just one second I’m forgetting you
I’m trying to
I’m dying to

[Verse 2]
Dollar days, survival sex
Honour stretching tails to necks
I’m falling down
It’s nothing to me
It’s nothing to see
If I'll never see the English evergreens, I’m running to
It’s nothing to me
It’s nothing to see
[Chorus 2]
I’m dying to push their backs against the grain
And fool them all again and again
I’m trying to
It’s all gone wrong, but on and on
The bitter nerve ends never end
I’m falling down
Don’t believe for just one second I’m forgetting you
I’m trying to
I’m dying to

[Outro]
I’m trying to
I’m dying to
I’m trying to
I’m dying to
I’m trying to
I’m dying to
I’m trying to
I’m dying to

If there was ever a song that perfectly captured the bittersweet essence of finality, it is David Bowie’s “Dollar Days.” As the sixth track on his twenty-fifth (and ultimately final) studio album, Blackstar, it was released on the iconic musician’s 69th birthday – just two days before his devastating death. “Dollar Days” is a seminal work that showcases Bowie at his most introspective, vulnerable, and sincere, as he contemplates his past, present, and future with a remarkable degree of clarity and insight.

In “Dollar Days,” Bowie turns a critical gaze on himself and the industry of which he was a part, contemplating his thoughts and feelings as he moves tentatively towards the end of his life. The song is rife with self-references, addressing Bowie’s career and his fans, as well as his inescapable mortality. The delicate balance between hope and despair that pervades the track lends it an almost otherworldly quality, making it one of Bowie’s most haunting and profound achievements.

About Dollar Days

On its surface, “Dollar Days” is a simple, stripped-down track that features little more than Bowie’s quavering vocals and a melancholy, understated arrangement. Nevertheless, the song manages to pack an emotional punch, thanks in large part to the raw sincerity of Bowie’s performance. From the very start, it is apparent that this is a deeply personal work that speaks directly to the artist’s own fears and apprehensions surrounding his own mortality.

The most immediately striking aspect of “Dollar Days” is its introspective tone. The song is essentially an extended meditation on the nature of life and death, with Bowie casting his gaze both backwards and forwards in time. Throughout the track, he muses on his successes and failures as an artist, reflecting on the many highs and lows of his illustrious career.

At the same time, Bowie is also acutely aware of his own mortality, and his lyrics are shot through with a sense of profound sadness and regret. He speaks openly about his fears and anxieties, grappling with the knowledge that he is slowly approaching the end of his life. In some ways, the song can be seen as a kind of reckoning, with Bowie taking stock of his existence and trying to make sense of it all in the face of his impending death.

What is truly remarkable about “Dollar Days” is the juxtaposition between Bowie’s deep sadness and his stubborn, unyielding hope. There is a sense throughout the song that he is determined to keep moving forwards, even in the face of adversity. Whether he is singing about his long years on the road, or the empty promise of fame and fortune, there is a sense of wonder and awe that permeates his words – as if he is grateful to have had the chance to experience all of it, even if it has left him feeling somewhat disillusioned.

Of course, it would not be Bowie if there were not a touch of self-awareness and humor lurking beneath the surface of the otherwise somber lyrics. “Dollar Days” is filled with winking references to his career, with subtle nods to his most iconic songs and characters scattered throughout. At one point, he even sings the lyric, “I’m dying to,” which - in retrospect - is a poignant reminder of his own eventual passing.

As the song draws to a close, Bowie seems to grow ever more introspective and reflective, as if he is finally coming to terms with his own legacy. He sings about the way that his songs will outlast him, and about the anonymous musicians who played in the background of his many performances. There is a sense of deep gratitude and humility in these final lines, as if Bowie is amazed by the impact that he has had on the world - and deeply appreciative of every single moment that he has been given.

The Final Word

“Dollar Days” is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our time, capturing the raw emotion and intense introspection of an artist coming to terms with his own mortality. With its stripped-down arrangement and poignant lyrics, the song is a testament to Bowie's unfailing talent and fiercely independent spirit, as well as his remarkable capacity for warmth, humor, and self-awareness. It is a song that will be remembered for many years to come - a true masterpiece of modern music.

• Release Date: January 8, 2016
• Artist: David Bowie