David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn
Immersed in Crowley's uniform
Of imagery
I'm living in a silent film
Portraying Himmler's sacred realm
Of dream reality
I'm frightened by the total goal
Drawing to the ragged hole
And I ain't got the power anymore
No I ain't got the power anymore

[Verse 2]
I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes
Living proof of Churchill's lies
I'm destiny
I'm torn between the light and dark
Where others see their targets
Divine symmetry

[Pre-Chorus]
Should I kiss the viper's fang
Or herald loud the death of Man?
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
And I ain't got the power anymore
[Chorus]
Don't believe in yourself
Don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Ah!
Ah!

[Verse 3]
I'm not a prophet or a stone age man
Just a mortal with potential of a superman
I'm living on
I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien
Can't take my eyes from the great salvation
Of bullshit faith

[Pre-Chorus]
If I don't explain what you ought to know
You can tell me all about it
On the next Bardo
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
And I ain't got the power anymore

[Chorus]
Don't believe in yourself
Don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Ah!
Ah!
Don't believe in yourself
Don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Ah!
Ah!

David Bowie, an iconic figure and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, delivered many of his most profound and introspective songs on his 1971 album "Hunky Dory." One of these songs, "Quicksand," has stood the test of time for over five decades.

"Quicksand" is a song that deals with the enigma and the struggle of not knowing and not understanding life. It is a philosophical piece that is meant to make the listener feel Bowie's struggles with his own existential dilemmas. Toward the end of the song, Bowie comes to terms with his thoughts, realizing that the answers to our most perplexing queries will only come to us in death's release.

About Quicksand

David Bowie's "Quicksand" is a song that deals with Bowie's introspective thoughts on life's unanswerable questions. The opening lines of the song set the tone for this introspective and existential piece - "I'm closer to the Golden Dawn, immersed in Crowley's uniform, Of imagery." The reference to the Golden Dawn alludes to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a British organization devoted to the study and practice of the occult, mysticism, and paranormal phenomena at the end of the 19th century. "Crowley's uniform" further alludes to Aleister Crowley, a British occultist, mystic, ceremonial magician, poet, and mountaineer, who was also a member of the Golden Dawn.

The second verse of the song, "I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought. And I ain't got the power anymore," presents a deeply personal struggle that everyone can relate to - getting lost in your own thoughts and feeling powerless to break free. Bowie discusses various topics such as the concept of time, space, and the unanswerable question of what happens after we die. In the third verse of the song, Bowie shows us that the journey to self-discovery is long and hard, and portrays himself as a seeker of truth - "I'm looking for the chord, the key to the gate. That leads to the source of all unknown."

The chorus of "Quicksand" ties everything together with an ominous yet captivating melody. Bowie reflects on the many ways we distract ourselves and keep busy in life, concluding that ultimately nothing is permanent, and in death, we find our answers - "Don't believe in yourself. Don't deceive with belief. Knowledge comes with death's release."

While "Quicksand" explores topics that can be viewed as depressing, Bowie's next song on the album, "Fill Your Heart," presents the counterbalance. "Fill Your Heart" encourages us to find joy in everyday things, to fill our hearts with love and positivity, and to live our lives to the fullest.

In summary, "Quicksand" is a melancholic and introspective song that delves deep into David Bowie's mind, exposing his struggles with life's enigmas. Tackling questions of life's meaning, existence, and death, the song is deep but contemplative. Folk-inspired and studio-enhanced, the song is raw and vulnerable, yet challenging and complex. It is an intricate web of symbols, references, and philosophy as only David Bowie could do and what has made him such an influential artist.

• Release Date: December 17, 1971
• Artist: David Bowie