David Bowie

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes
"I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago"

[Chorus]
Oh no, not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

[Verse 2]
I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years, I roamed
I gazed a gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago
[Chorus]
Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world
Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

If you are searching for a song that has stood the test of time and has been covered by a variety of artists from different music genres, look no further than David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World." Bowie wrote the song when he was just 19 years old, yet it has become one of his most iconic tracks, inspiring countless covers and interpretations over the years.

About The Man Who Sold the World

When David Bowie released his third album, “The Man Who Sold the World” in 1970, it was a departure from his more folky second album, and a precursor to his Ziggy Stardust phase that was to come. The title track was one of the standouts, featuring Bowie's haunting vocals and mesmerizing guitar riffs. The song has a dark, mysterious feel to it, and the lyrics are equally enigmatic. It's a song that leaves you with a lot to ponder, and Bowie himself has given various interpretations of what the song is about over the years.

The Man Who Sold the World is a song that has been covered by many artists over the years, but it is Nirvana's version that is perhaps the most well-known. In 1993, Nirvana recorded an acoustic version of the song for their MTV Unplugged performance, and it became an instant classic. Kurt Cobain's haunting vocals and the band's stripped-down arrangement breathed new life into the track and brought it to a whole new generation of fans.

Despite Nirvana's version being the most popular cover, the song has been recorded by a variety of artists over the years, including Lulu, who had a top 10 UK hit with her version in 1974. Other notable covers include versions by Midge Ure, Simple Minds, and even the legendary rapper/producer Jay-Z.

One of the enduring mysteries of the song is its lyrics. Although it's often been suggested that most of the lyrics are meant to be taken figuratively, there are some that are clearly autobiographical, particularly the lines "I was talking to myself again / A wondering if this ship would ever come in."

Bowie himself has been quoted as saying that the song is about "psychological schizophrenia," a theme that is echoed in the album's cover art, which shows Bowie dressed in a dress and platform shoes, something that was unusual for a male artist at the time.

The song's title has also been the source of some confusion over the years. Bowie once explained that the title was inspired by an American cowboy movie of the same name that he had seen as a child, but others have suggested that it was a nod to the rising popularity of American culture in the UK at the time.

Regardless of the meanings behind the song's lyrics or its title, there's no denying that "The Man Who Sold the World" is one of David Bowie's most enduring contributions to music history. Its haunting melody and enigmatic lyrics have made it a beloved classic that continues to inspire new generations of artists to this day.

So whether you're a devoted Bowie fan or simply a lover of good music, "The Man Who Sold the World" is a song that is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you with much to ponder.

• Release Date: November 4, 1970
• Artist: David Bowie