David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Pushing through the market square
So many mothers sighing (Sighing)
News had just come over
We had five years left to cry in (Cry in)
News guy wept and told us
Earth was really dying (Dying)
Cried so much his face was wet
Then I knew he was not lying (Lying)
I heard telephones, opera house, favourite melodies
I saw boys, toys, electric irons and TVs
My brain hurt like a warehouse, it had no room to spare
I had to cram so many things to store everything in there
And all the fat, skinny people
And all the tall, short people
And all the nobody people
And all the somebody people
I never thought I'd need so many people

[Verse 2]
A girl my age went off her head
Hit some tiny children
If the Black hadn't have pulled her off
I think she would have killed them
A soldier with a broken arm
Fixed his stare to the wheels of a Cadillac
A cop knelt and kissed the feet of a priest
And a queer threw up at the sight of that
I think I saw you in an ice-cream parlour
Drinking milkshakes cold and long
Smiling and waving and looking so fine
Don't think you knew you were in this song
And it was cold and it rained, so I felt like an actor
And I thought of Ma and I wanted to get back there
Your face, your race, the way that you talk
I kiss you, you're beautiful, I want you to walk
[Outro]
We've got five years, stuck on my eyes
Five years, what a surprise
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot
Five years, that's all we've got
We've got five years, what a surprise
Five years, stuck on my eyes
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot
Five years, that's all we've got
We've got five years, stuck on my eyes
Five years, what a surprise
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot
Five years, that's all we've got
We've got five years, what a surprise
We've got five years, stuck on my eyes
We've got five years, my brain hurts a lot
Five years, that's all we've got
Five years
Five years
Five years
Five years

David Bowie is perhaps one of the most celebrated icons of the music industry, and his album "Five Years" is no exception. The opening track of his album "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," "Five Years" is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The song begins with a lonely piano melody that gradually grows till it captures the essence of the cataclysmic news of Earth's imminent demise.

About Five Years

The song "Five Years" speaks to the listener's introspective core, forcing them to confront the gravity of mortality. The song starts with a soft, slow piano intro that sets the mood for the rest of the album. As it progresses, it gradually builds and picks up momentum, ultimately becoming a love song filled with a deep sense of longing for something missing.

Bowie's lyrics are masterful, with the opening few lines setting the tone for the rest of the song. He includes vivid details of the panic that engulfs the people when news of impending doom is delivered. The lyrics paint a picture of individuals making their way through the streets in a state of shock and disbelief, with dollar bills flying everywhere and children crying in the streets, in the aftermath of the horrific news.

The song then takes an unexpected turn and becomes a wistful ballad of love lost. In the midst of the chaos and panic, Bowie's narrator finds solace in the memory of a former lover. The love story is a tragically beautiful way for Bowie to convey the idea of holding onto the past and all that is gone, even as we all face the inevitable end.

Bowie’s vocals add another layer of complexity to the song, as they perfectly capture the emotion of every lyric. With his signature depth and range, he brings the listener along on an emotional journey. A journey through the chaos, to the acceptance of the inevitability of death, but only after a brief time of searching for solace in memories of happier times.

The musical arrangement is spot-on, with the perfectly intertwined piano and vocals giving the song a complex and layered feel. The intermittent backing instruments bring the song to life, adding a creative sound quality that engulfs the listeners in the music and enhances their experience. The build-up to the song's climax is masterfully done, with Bowie's vocals and the instruments all blending together flawlessly.

In the end, "Five Years" is not just a song; it serves as a statement on Bowie's obsession with life and death. Though it starts out sounding like the Earth's doom, it quickly turns into a haunting meditation on love, memories, and the spiritual dimension. It serves as a prophetic ode to Bowie's own journey and the world's uncertain future.

Conclusion

"Five Years" is an intricate and layered song that still captures the imagination of music lovers worldwide. The song remains a masterpiece that showed Bowie's ingenuity, unique vision, and creativity, reflecting his status as a music icon. The mix of existentialist themes coupled with Bowie's unforgettable melodic and vocal arrangements has made the song transcend time. It is a great example of the genius of David Bowie, who understood the complexity of human emotions and transmuted them into beautiful music that stands the test of time.

• Release Date: June 16, 1972
• Artist: David Bowie