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)
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
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.
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 Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Written by: David Bowie
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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 considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Bowie's career was characterized by constant reinvention and innovation, both musically and visually. He explored various genres, including rock, glam rock, classic rock, alternative, and electronic music, among others.
Glam Rock and Ziggy Stardust During the glam rock era in the early 1970s, Bowie adopted the persona of Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous and flamboyant alter ego. This period marked a significant turning point in his career and brought him widespread popularity. The album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" (1972) and the single "Starman" were particularly successful.
Plastic Soul and the Berlin Trilogy In the mid-1970s, Bowie's musical style shifted towards a sound he called "plastic soul," which incorporated elements of soul and funk. This change initially alienated some of his UK fans but gained him significant success in the US. Albums like "Young Americans" (1975) and "Station to Station" (1976) showcased this new direction. In the late 1970s, Bowie collaborated with Brian Eno on a series of albums known as the "Berlin Trilogy," which included "Low" (1977), "Heroes" (1977), and "Lodger" (1979). These albums explored experimental and electronic sounds.
Commercial Success in the 1980s Bowie achieved massive commercial success in the 1980s with the release of the album "Let's Dance" (1983), which included hits like the title track and "China Girl." This album marked a shift towards a more mainstream and commercial sound. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, including "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" (1980). In 1981, he collaborated with the band Queen on the hit single "Under Pressure."
Later Career and Acting In the 1990s and 2000s, Bowie continued to experiment with different musical styles, including industrial and jungle. He also pursued his acting career, appearing in films such as "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983), "Labyrinth" (1986), and "The Prestige" (2006). He released several albums during this period, including "The Next Day" (2013) and his final album, "Blackstar" (2016), which was released just two days before his death.
Legacy and Influence David Bowie's impact on popular music and culture is significant. He was known for his innovative music, visual presentation, and constant reinvention. His ability to adapt and experiment with different genres and styles influenced countless musicians and artists. Bowie's record sales exceeded 100 million worldwide, and he received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history.
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