02-28-19
This particular beginning to what would be David Bowie’s last album brought a strange appeal. The song is laden with hidden meanings, and dynamic creative method to the point that Bowie uses ritualistic chanting, and what even feels like spell casting within its lyrics. As a beginning to an album it lays a peculiar foundation for what might be in store, and if there weren’t any actual knowledge of the rest of the sound, you would be somewhat thrown off that this was David Bowie. Then again he always worked to push the envelope in ways that would surprise his most devout fans.
The first impression the song and video leaves is one of a search for hope in an inevitably doomed existence. Of course, all life is “doomed” to end, however, as we know Bowie was dealing with more pressing feelings of mortality. Most everything David Bowie has done is something I would call masterful, and of course, I am biased, however Blackstar, as an album, and as a song, most certainly are masterpieces. Blackstar shows that Bowie was always peaking, and still on edge, leading and provoking the rest of us, a lone voice in a sea of low-IQ commercial pop drivel.
Bowie being the chimerical spirit he was leaves so much in this work that you’re able to make it into anything you need to for yourself. Both this particular song and the album in whole share countless references to core theological and philosophical principles, as well as some of the more abstract concepts. Bowie borrows from: the Old and New Testaments, from famous directors and playwrights (such as Fritz Lang, and Bertolt Brecht), Illusionists (Georges Méliès, and Aleister Crowley,) and even makes use of his own cannon of music through lines such as: “there’s a starman waiting in the sky…”
As far as last notes go, I can’t think of any better, at least not known. Though it may not have the official acknowledgment as a final farewell letter, it’s difficult to believe that this wasn’t an element in its creation. Of course, Bowie wrote and performed in precise manners, espousing messages with meaning beyond any surface interpretation.
I keep coming back to the thought of, how can so much fit into one package? In his brilliance and foresight, this final album shows a life-long career that had often been personally sculpted with intention. This profound ability at intention-manifesting permeated even through too his death, leaving in a manner that can be seen more or less on his own terms… a luxury so very few will have the honor of achieving.
Lyrics:
[Intro]
In the villa of Ormen, in the villa of Ormen
Stands a solitary candle, ah-ah, ah-ah
In the centre of it all, in the centre of it all
Your eyes
On the day of execution, on the day of execution
Only women kneel and smile, ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, at the centre of it all
Your eyes, your eyes
[Bridge I]
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
In the villa of Ormen, in the villa of Ormen
Stands a solitary candle, ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, at the centre of it all
Your eyes, your eyes
Ah-ah-ah
[ Bridge II]
Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre and stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
(I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar)
How many times does an angel fall?
How many people lie instead of talking tall?
He trod on sacred ground, he cried loud into the crowd
(I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar, I’m not a gangstar)
I can’t answer why (I’m a blackstar)
Just go with me (I’m not a filmstar)
I’ma take you home (I’m a blackstar)
Take your passport and shoes (I’m not a popstar)
And your sedatives, boo (I’m a blackstar)
You’re a flash in the pan (I’m not a marvel star)
I’m the Great I Am (I’m a blackstar)
I’m a blackstar, way up, on money, I’ve got game
I see right, so wide, so open-hearted pain
I want eagles in my daydreams, diamonds in my eyes
(I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar)
Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre then stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
(I’m a blackstar, I’m a star’s star, I’m a blackstar)
I can’t answer why (I’m not a gangstar)
But I can tell you how (I’m not a flam star)
We were born upside-down (I’m a star’s star)
Born the wrong way ’round (I’m not a white star)
I’m a blackstar, I’m not a gangstar
I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar
I’m not a pornstar, I’m not a wandering star
I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar
[Bridge III]
In the villa of Ormen stands a solitary candle
Ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, your eyes
On the day of execution, only women kneel and smile
Ah-ah, ah-ah
At the centre of it all, your eyes, your eyes
Ah-ah-ah
[Outro]