valentine by David Bowie (2024)

valentine by David Bowie (1)

valentine

David Bowie

RockGlam rockClassic rock80sAlternative

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally… Read Full Bio ↴David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his innovative work during the 1970s. His career was marked by reinvention and visual presentation, and his music and stagecraft had a significant impact on popular music.

Bowie developed an interest in music from an early age. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1963. "Space Oddity", released in 1969, was his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart. After a period of experimentation, he re-emerged in 1972 during the glam rock era with his flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust. The character was spearheaded by the success of Bowie's single "Starman" and album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, which won him widespread popularity. In 1975, Bowie's style shifted towards a sound he characterised as "plastic soul", initially alienating many of his UK fans but garnering him his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame" and the album Young Americans. In 1976, Bowie starred in the cult film The Man Who Fell to Earth and released Station to Station. In 1977, he again changed direction with the electronic-inflected album Low, the first of three collaborations with Brian Eno that came to be known as the "Berlin Trilogy". "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979) followed; each album reached the UK top five and received lasting critical praise.

After uneven commercial success in the late 1970s, Bowie had three number-one hits: the 1980 single "Ashes to Ashes", its album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), and "Under Pressure" (a 1981 collaboration with Queen). He achieved massive commercial success in the 1980s starting with Let's Dance (1983). Between 1988 and 1992, he fronted the hard rock band Tin Machine before resuming his solo career in 1993. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also continued acting; his roles included Major Jack Celliers in Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986), Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and Nikola Tesla in The Prestige (2006), among other film and television appearances and cameos. He stopped touring after 2004 and his last live performance was at a charity event in 2006. In 2013, Bowie returned from a decade-long recording hiatus with The Next Day. He remained musically active until his death from liver cancer at his home in New York City. He died two days after both his 69th birthday and the release of his final album, Blackstar (2016).

During his lifetime, his record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In the UK, he was awarded ten platinum, eleven gold and eight silver album certifications, and released 11 number-one albums. In the US, he received five platinum and nine gold certifications. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie

Studio albums
David Bowie (1967)
David Bowie/Space Oddity (1969)
The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Hunky Dory (1971)
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Aladdin Sane (1973)
Pin Ups (1973)
Diamond Dogs (1974)
Young Americans (1975)
Station to Station (1976)
Low (1977)
"Heroes" (1977)
Lodger (1979)
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980)
Let's Dance (1983)
Tonight (1984)
Never Let Me Down (1987)
Black Tie White Noise (1993)
The Buddha of Suburbia (1993)
Outside (1995)
Earthling (1997)
Hours (1999)
Heathen (2002)
Reality (2003)
The Next Day (2013)
Blackstar (2016)

Share:

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴Line by Line Meaning ↴

Valentine told me who's to go
Feelings he's treasured most of all
The teachers and the football stars

It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hand
Valentine sold his soul
He's got something to say

It's Valentine's day
The rhythm of the crowd
Teddy and Judy down
Valentine sees it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day

Valentine told me how he feels
If all the world were under his heels
Or stumbling through the mall

It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hands
Valentine knows it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day

(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Valentine, Valentine
(Yeah)
(Woo, woo)
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hand
It's in his icy heart
It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hands
It's in his icy heart

It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine


Overall Meaning


The lyrics to David Bowie's song "Valentine's Day" are quite cryptic and open to interpretation, as is common in Bowie's music. Some interpretations suggest that the song could be about a school shooting or a gang attack, with Valentine being a young outsider who turns violent due to their feelings of isolation and being misunderstood. The lyrics "Valentine sold his soul" and "It's in his icy heart" also suggest a dark and disturbing transformation. The mention of the "teachers and the football stars" could also be a commentary on how society values certain individuals over others and how this can lead to feelings of resentment.

On the other hand, there are interpretations that suggest a more positive message to the song. Valentine could be seen as a voice of rebellion against the status quo, someone who sees the flaws in society and is not afraid to speak out against them. The line "Valentine knows it all, he's got something to say" could be seen as a call to action for the listener to also speak out against injustice and inequality.

Regardless of the interpretation, the song has a sense of urgency and intensity that is common in Bowie's music. The repeated refrain of "Valentine, Valentine" creates a sense of foreboding and unease, while the upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it an unforgettable track.

Line by Line Meaning


Valentine told me who's to go
Valentine confided in me about who he wanted to be with

Feelings he treasured most of all
His most valued treasures are his emotions

The teachers and the football stars
He admires both academic and athletic achievements

It's in his tiny face
His emotions are easily recognizable from his small face

It's in his scrawny hands
His emotions are also seen in his thin hands

Valentine sold his soul
He gave everything he had to achieve his dreams

He's got something to say
There's a message he wishes to convey

It's Valentine's day
This event is significant for Valentine

The rhythm of the crowd
He feels the pulse of the masses

Benny and Judy down
Valentine takes notice of everyone

Valentine sees it all
He observes everything very carefully

Valentine told me how he feels
Valentine shared his emotions with me

If all the world were under his heels
If Valentine ruled the world

Or stumbling through the mall
Even if the world is chaotic

Valentine knows it all
He is confident and knowledgeable about everything

Valentine, Valentine
His name is repeated for emphasis

It's in his icy heart
His emotions are deep and unyielding

It's happening today
The important event is occurring today


Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Introduction

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide detailed insights and knowledge on a wide range of topics. I have been trained on a diverse set of texts, including articles, books, and websites. My training data includes information on various topics, including music, history, science, technology, and more. I can generate code snippets, provide explanations, and engage in discussions on these subjects. So, let's dive into the information related to David Bowie and the concepts used in this article.

David Bowie

David Bowie, born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947, and passed away on January 10, 2016, was an English singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Bowie's career was marked by his innovative work and reinvention, making him a leading figure in the music industry.

Musical Style and Impact

Bowie's music spanned various genres, including rock, glam rock, classic rock, alternative, and experimental. He was known for his distinctive voice, eclectic musical style, and provocative stage performances. Bowie's music and stagecraft had a significant impact on popular music, and he was acclaimed by critics and musicians alike.

Early Career and Breakthroughs

Bowie developed an interest in music from a young age and began his professional career as a musician in 1963. His breakthrough came in 1969 with the release of "Space Oddity," which became his first top-five entry on the UK Singles Chart. In the early 1970s, Bowie adopted the flamboyant and androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, gaining widespread popularity with the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars."

Musical Evolution

Bowie's musical style underwent several transformations throughout his career. In the mid-1970s, he shifted towards a sound he called "plastic soul," which initially alienated some of his UK fans but resulted in his first major US crossover success with the number-one single "Fame." Bowie continued to experiment with different genres and musical styles, including electronic-inflected music during the "Berlin Trilogy" collaborations with Brian Eno.

Commercial Success and Later Career

In the 1980s, Bowie achieved massive commercial success with albums like "Let's Dance" (1983), which became his best-selling album. He had three number-one hits during this period, including "Ashes to Ashes" (1980) and "Under Pressure," a collaboration with Queen (1981). Bowie continued to release albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, exploring various musical styles, including industrial and jungle.

Acting Career

In addition to his music career, Bowie also had a successful acting career. He appeared in several films and television shows, including notable roles in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" (1976), "Labyrinth" (1986), and "The Prestige" (2006). His performances showcased his versatility as an actor.

Legacy and Recognition

David Bowie's record sales, estimated at over 100 million records worldwide, made him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history, and as of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.

"Valentine's Day" Song

The lyrics to David Bowie's song "Valentine's Day" are open to interpretation. Some suggest that the song could be about a school shooting or a gang attack, with Valentine being a young outsider who turns violent due to feelings of isolation and being misunderstood. Others interpret the song as a rebellion against the status quo, with Valentine as a voice of dissent against societal flaws and injustices.

The song's lyrics mention Valentine's emotions, his observations of the world, and his desire to share a message. The repeated refrain of "Valentine, Valentine" creates a sense of urgency and unease, while the upbeat tempo and catchy melody contribute to the song's impact.

Studio Albums

The article also includes a list of David Bowie's studio albums. Here are some notable ones:

  • "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" (1972)
  • "Young Americans" (1975)
  • "Heroes" (1977)
  • "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" (1980)
  • "Let's Dance" (1983)
  • "Blackstar" (2016)

These albums showcase Bowie's musical evolution and experimentation throughout his career.

I hope this introduction and the information provided give you a good understanding of David Bowie and the concepts used in the article. If you have any specific questions or would like more detailed information on any aspect, feel free to ask!

valentine by David Bowie (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 6466

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.