David Bowie – Lazarus video
Introduction
Today marks ten years since David Bowie passed away. I still clearly remember hearing the news before going to work the next day. I was in complete shock. On Christmas Day 2015, I had visited the beautiful David Bowie Is exhibition, I had just ordered his ★ (Blackstar) album via the official website, and I was deeply impressed by the first two singles, Blackstar and Lazarus.
Lazarus
The song Lazarus was released as a digital download on December 17, 2015. It would be the last single Bowie released during his lifetime. The video for the song followed on January 7, 2016, just three days before his death.
According to producer Tony Visconti, Lazarus was intended as a self-written eulogy, in which Bowie commented on his own death. It remains uncertain whether Bowie already knew the end was near while recording the song. In November 2015, during the filming of the Lazarus video, Bowie was informed that his illness was terminal and that further treatment would be futile.
David Bowie – Lazarus
Lyrics
The full lyrics of Lazarus were shared on Bowie’s website on December 16, 2015, the day prior to the single’s premiere.
Look up here, I’m in heaven
I’ve got scars that can’t be seen
I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen
Everybody knows me nowLook up here, man, I’m in danger
I’ve got nothing left to lose
I’m so high it makes my brain whirl
Dropped my cell phone down belowAin’t that just like me
By the time I got to New York
I was living like a king
Then I used up all my money
I was looking for your assThis way or no way
You know, I’ll be free
Just like that bluebird
Now ain’t that just like meOh I’ll be free
Just like that bluebird
Oh I’ll be free
Ain’t that just like me© 2015 David Bowie
Looking back, it is fair to say that Bowie was saying goodbye. The references to his own situation are numerous, and he predicts the (renewed) fame that would come after his death. The video (see the link at the bottom of this article) makes this even more explicit.
Musicians
- David Bowie – vocals, guitar
- Tim Lefebvre – bass
- Mark Guiliana – drums
- Donny McCaslin – saxophone
- Ben Monder – guitar
- Jason Lindner – Wurlitzer organ, keyboards
Bowie tweet 01/10/2016
Death
On January 10, just three days after the publication of the music video, David Bowie died of cancer. Two days earlier, he had celebrated his 69th birthday.
In closing
The loss of David Bowie was (and still is) immense. One year after his death, I published a kind of overview article devoted to his passing and the releases of Low and “Heroes”; you can read that article here.
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: David Bowie – Lazarus. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
