RIP David Bowie
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35278872
Singer David Bowie has died at the age of 69 from cancer.
Tributes have been paid from around the world to the "extraordinary artist" whose last album was released days ago.
His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts.
"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said, asking for privacy for the family.
His son, who directed Bafta-winning film Moon, wrote on Twitter: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."
Bowie's hits include Let's Dance, Changes, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel Rebel and Life on Mars.
He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.
The singer, who had been living in New York in recent years, only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday.
The album, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics and was intended as a "parting gift" to the world, according to long-time friend and producer Tony Visconti.
Visconti wrote on Facebook: "His death was no different from his life - a work of art.
"He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift.
"I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us."
The Rolling Stones paid tribute to "an extraordinary artist" and a "true original".
Friend and collaborator Iggy Pop wrote on Twitter: "David's friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is."
Madonna said she was "devastated" and that Bowie had "changed her life". She wrote on Twitter: "Talented . Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth. Your Spirit Lives on Forever!"
Rapper Kanye West said: "David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."
Very sad.
Quote from: "Keeper"
I was shocked..
He had been battling cancer for eighteen months, but it was kept from the media..
He was a pop music icon.
I wasn't a fan, but I know his impact on the industry. This song used to make me cringe.
This is my favourite song by David Bowie.
David Bowie's death is the top story on national news and local news..
He influenced so many artists.
Man was I shocked when I found out he had died.
I liked Rebel Rebel
The other thing I want to say is that I thought this was a hoax. There is a hoax that legendary guitarist Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath died.
Quote from: "Herman"
It was very surprising Herman..
He kept his cancer a secret.
I actually cried about this. I was raised on Bowie. My favorite movie as a kid was Labrynth. I don't get the sudden domino effect of all these good artists but if all we have left at the end of the year is Kanye this will be a world I don't wanna live in lol. Even my kids are sad about Bowie, they loved him to. We blasted his music often. They love Labrynth too.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
If this makes you feel better, it's actually about China white heroin...lol
Quote from: "Dove"
Quote from: "Shen Li"
If this makes you feel better, it's actually about China white heroin...lol
No, it's not.
Quote
Paul Trynka, the author of David Bowie's biography, Starman, claims the song was inspired by Iggy Pop's infatuation with Kuelan Nguyen, a beautiful Vietnamese woman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Girl_(song)
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Oh...I thought it was very clever, Shen.
It was ahead of its time as he was capitalizing upon an emerging China.
It must've won over a heckuva lotta 'China Girls', if ya know what I mean, eh?
Like, they musta said, "Lookit that beautiful White Man? I wanna go out and buy his album!"
That musta sold a lotta songs in Asia, least of all China.
Plus the girl in the song was rather ordinary, and that was part of the appeal.
Cuz it was indirectly sayin', if she could get him, they could too.
So, instead of chosing a Lucy Liu type, he chose a plain Jane, therby widening the song's appeal.
I kin see how Bowie woulda appealed to a lotta young Asian Girls & Women.
He kinda looked like a blond version of one.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Dove"
Quote from: "Shen Li"
If this makes you feel better, it's actually about China white heroin...lol
No, it's not.
Quote
Paul Trynka, the author of David Bowie's biography, Starman, claims the song was inspired by Iggy Pop's infatuation with Kuelan Nguyen, a beautiful Vietnamese woman.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Girl_(song)
Well Bowie said it was indeed about heroin. I'll look for the interview. I mean, you can't put an Asian woman in the whites of your eyes. Lol
"According to Wikipedia it was co-written by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, inspired by Iggy's obsession with a Vietnamese woman he knew.
Now read it again, only every time it says "China girl", say "Heroin".
China White was a street name for α-Methylfentanyl, which was a popular recreational drug in the 1970s, similar to Heroin but much more potent. The song is about the effects of addiction to the drug, personified as a girl. Bowie and Iggy both had serious and well publicized drug problems during the 1970s and this song is more than likely inspired by their experience.
The part about "visions of swastikas" may be a veiled apology for Bowie's brief flirtation with Nazi imagery and ideas. He'd attracted considerable negative publicity for pro-Nazi comments in interviews, apparently giving a Nazi salute to fans outside a train station in the UK and was stopped at the Russian-Polish border for posessing Nazi paraphernalia. He later confessed that his judgement at the time was impaired by his drug addiction.
So no, it's not racist, because the "China Girl" of the title is a personification of the drug the singer is addicted to, and not really anything to do with China or the Chinese people.
Written 31 Dec 2013 • " my bad....it was iggy pop who talked it somewhere. I'll have to look.
Well, for once you got a reference correct.
Quote from: "Dove"
Now read it again, only every time it says "China girl", say "Heroin".
China White was a street name for α-Methylfentanyl, which was a popular recreational drug in the 1970s, similar to Heroin but much more potent. The song is about the effects of addiction to the drug, personified as a girl. Bowie and Iggy both had serious and well publicized drug problems during the 1970s and this song is more than likely inspired by their experience.
The part about "visions of swastikas" may be a veiled apology for Bowie's brief flirtation with Nazi imagery and ideas. He'd attracted considerable negative publicity for pro-Nazi comments in interviews, apparently giving a Nazi salute to fans outside a train station in the UK and was stopped at the Russian-Polish border for posessing Nazi paraphernalia. He later confessed that his judgement at the time was impaired by his drug addiction.
So no, it's not racist, because the "China Girl" of the title is a personification of the drug the singer is addicted to, and not really anything to do with China or the Chinese people.
Written 31 Dec 2013 • " my bad....it was iggy pop who talked it somewhere. I'll have to look.
You got this opinion from Quora. It's just a guess.
Not its not!!! Its common knowledge.
Dumbass.
Few people know that Rick Wakeman contributed a lot to "Hunky Dory", and in fact the record would not have been anywhere near as popular or successful without his amazing talent coupled with Bowie's songwriting.
Quote from: "Mr Crowley"
Dumbass.
Hey, don't be so hard on Dove. She fell for an urban legend, that's all.
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Mr Crowley"
Dumbass.
Hey, don't be so hard on Dove. She fell for an urban legend, that's all.
I know the song. I know what iggy pop said. And I know it makes far more sense in the context of drug use than some infatuation. But you are free to think it's about whatever you want it to be about. It's open for a reason.
I thought this is supposed to be a thread marking the he passing of a great talent. I dont think it was meant to be peverted into an argumentative debate regarding the messages found in the artist's work. There are plenty of places on this forum for that.
Give it a rest, the guy is barely cold.
Quote from: "Renee"
Give it a rest, the guy is barely cold.
I agree Renee, arguing about the meaning of a song was not what I had in my mind with this thread.
Quote from: "Dove"
Quote from: "Shen Li"
Quote from: "Mr Crowley"
Dumbass.
Hey, don't be so hard on Dove. She fell for an urban legend, that's all.
I know the song. I know what iggy pop said. And I know it makes far more sense in the context of drug use than some infatuation. But you are free to think it's about whatever you want it to be about. It's open for a reason.
Unless you can prove otherwise, I think you should accept what the writers of the song say it is about.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Renee"
Give it a rest, the guy is barely cold.
I agree Renee, arguing about the meaning of a song was not what I had in my mind with this thread.
SHE started it!!!!
:t1929:
Anyone here seen him live?
I've seen him twice. The Serious Moonlight tour in the early 80's, and the final, Reality, tour in 2004. While Serious Moonlight was a stadium concert with a lot of stage effects, Reality was indoors and trimmed down considerably to just the band and music.
Setlist for 1983:
1 Look Back In Anger
2 "Heroes"
3 What In The World
4 Golden Years
5 Fashion
6 Let's Dance
7 Breaking Glass
8 Life On Mars
9 Sorrow
10 Cat People
11 China Girl
12 Scary Monsters
13 Rebel Rebel
14 White Light White Heat
15 Station To Station
16 Cracked Actor
17 Ashes To Ashes
18 Space Oddity
19 Fame
Encore
20 Star
21 Stay
22 The Jean Genie
23 Modern Love
2004
REBEL REBEL
NEW KILLER STAR
FAME
CACTUS (Pixies cover)
REALITY
TRY SOME, BUY SOME (George Harrison cover)
ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
CHINA GIRL
THE LONELIEST GUY
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (Highlight of the show)
HALLO SPACEBOY
SUNDAY
UNDER PRESSURE
LIFE ON MARS?
LOOKING FOR WATER
QUICKSAND
DAYS
WHITE LIGHT WHITE HEAT (Velvet Underground cover)
ASHES TO ASHES
I'M AFRAID OF AMERICANS
"HEROES"
HEATHEN (THE RAYS)
FIVE YEARS
HANG ON TO YOURSELF
ZIGGY STARDUST
Sorry, never had the privilege.
This is my favorite song David Bowie sung/took part in:
...in fact, it is the only song of his I ever liked and still like.
It was a very good song.
It's very current & speaks volumes about the times we live in.
My favorite part is when they sing at the climax:
Quote
This is our Last Dance,
This is Our Selves....
....Under Pressure
Kudos to the band Queen as well who made it happen, possible.
Quote from: "Fashionista"
Quote from: "Renee"
Give it a rest, the guy is barely cold.
I agree Renee, arguing about the meaning of a song was not what I had in my mind with this thread.
These things happen.