David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Cheena so sound, so titi up this malchick, say
Party up moodge, nanti vellocet round on Tuesday
Real bad dizzy snatch, making all the omies mad – Thursday
Popo blind to the polly in the hole by Friday

[Bridge]
Where the fuck did Monday go?
I'm cold to this pig and pug show
I'm sitting in the chestnut tree
Who the fuck's gonna mess with me?

[Chorus]
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me

[Bridge]
Where the fuck did Monday go?
(Go, go, go, go, go, go, go)
I'm cold to this pig and pug show
(Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go)
Where the fuck did Monday go?
(Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go)
[Verse 2]
You viddy at the cheena
Choodesny with the red rot
Libbilubbing litso-fitso
Devotchka watch her garbles
Spatchko at the rozz-shop
Split a ded from his deng, deng
Viddy, viddy at the cheena

[Chorus]
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me

[Refrain]
Where the fuck did Monday go?
Where the fuck did Monday go?
Where the fuck did Monday go?

[Chorus]
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me
Girl loves me (Hey, cheena)
Girl loves me
[Refrain]
Where the fuck did Monday go?
Where the fuck did Monday go?

If there is a song on David Bowie's final album Blackstar that needs some explanation, it is undoubtedly "Girl Loves Me." Described by music critics and fans alike as one of his most enigmatic tracks, the song requires a keen ear and appreciation for the bizarre to fully comprehend it. This song's true meaning is buried deep beneath its language, instrumentation, and its impact on listeners.

About Girl Loves Me

In the world of David Bowie, nothing is ever ordinary, and "Girl Loves Me" is no exception. The song's lyrics are a combination of two slang languages: Nadsat and Polari. Nadsat is the invented language that Anthony Burgess used in his classic novel A Clockwork Orange. Meanwhile, the Polari language was a form of slang that gay men in London used during the 1970s, which explains the use of words such as "vada," meaning "see," and "nanti," which means "not."

For those who don't speak either language, "Girl Loves Me" can be rather perplexing. At its core, the song is about pain, medication, and heartbreak. It deals with emotions and scenarios that are difficult to express in conventional language, which is why Bowie turned to Nadsat and Polari to better convey his message.

The instrumentation of the song is as peculiar as its lyrics. The track's sparse and loose structure highlights its dissonant and bare instrumentation, which draws focus to the song's raw and emotive lyrics. The drumming and guitar work on the track are restrained to facilitate the song's poignant vocal delivery. Bowie's voice is particularly arresting in "Girl Loves Me," with his raspier timbre conveying anguish and pain in a manner that only he is capable of.

Despite being a challenging track to understand, "Girl Loves Me" is a fan favorite from Blackstar. It speaks to the late musician's willingness to experiment and take creative risks, even at the cost of alienating his audience. Listeners who are willing to put in the time to appreciate the oddness of the track and look beyond the language barriers will find a piece of music that speaks to them in ways that more conventional pop songs cannot.

In the end, "Girl Loves Me" is an artful composition that showcases Bowie's brilliance as a songwriter and performer. The song's unconventional structure, language, and instrumentation are a testament to the late artist's fearlessness in experimenting with his music. It is an important song on an album that has come to be recognized as one of the most important in Bowie's catalog, and the final chapter in his remarkable music career.

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