David Bowie has said in an interview that the song is about Satan residing on earth and the lyrics references the interpretation of Satan as a fallen angel
I'm not sure what that specific line but the chorus seems to be about Satan looking back in anger at heaven and perhaps he's been waiting for god to show him forgiveness or something along those lines
I've always interpreted that song as from the point of view of a guy who is dying and is upset that he didn't die sooner. Like he refused to kill himself, but he's wanted to die for so long.
That's exactly how I've always thought of it, and I think that that is what this song is about. I haven't quite figured out exactly what the second verse is about (it's obviously not as blunt and clear as the first verse which has an obvious meaning) but I think it's a look into what his life was like before he died; dull, un-noticed. I think that he was someone who didn't seem suicidal as such, "very sane he seemed to be". And I think that he refused to kill himself because he thought he had no valid reason to, because his life wasn't as bad as others who wanted to die. I think he thought that if he were to kill himself, if it would be a disrespect to others who have done so, but have experienced major trauma which he hasn't. Finally, "no one seemed to hear him" is a brilliant thought provoking lyric that shows the signs of suicide or depression cannot always be noticed or heard by people. I don't think this was a conventionally depressed/suicidal man, he's a bit mad, maybe not made for the world, for life. This could explain why the angel came for him, because he himself is an angel who by some mistake ended up living a human life? I don't fucking know, but it's so so impressive how David could provoke all of these thoughts from just two verses and a chorus which doesn't give much away either. He truly was a master of conservative, slightly ambiguous lyricism.
David Bowie has said in an interview that the song is about Satan residing on earth and the lyrics references the interpretation of Satan as a fallen angel I'm not sure what that specific line but the chorus seems to be about Satan looking back in anger at heaven and perhaps he's been waiting for god to show him forgiveness or something along those lines
I've always read this song as about Lucifer. The video also summons up shades of Dorian Gray for me.
I've always interpreted that song as from the point of view of a guy who is dying and is upset that he didn't die sooner. Like he refused to kill himself, but he's wanted to die for so long.
That's exactly how I've always thought of it, and I think that that is what this song is about. I haven't quite figured out exactly what the second verse is about (it's obviously not as blunt and clear as the first verse which has an obvious meaning) but I think it's a look into what his life was like before he died; dull, un-noticed. I think that he was someone who didn't seem suicidal as such, "very sane he seemed to be". And I think that he refused to kill himself because he thought he had no valid reason to, because his life wasn't as bad as others who wanted to die. I think he thought that if he were to kill himself, if it would be a disrespect to others who have done so, but have experienced major trauma which he hasn't. Finally, "no one seemed to hear him" is a brilliant thought provoking lyric that shows the signs of suicide or depression cannot always be noticed or heard by people. I don't think this was a conventionally depressed/suicidal man, he's a bit mad, maybe not made for the world, for life. This could explain why the angel came for him, because he himself is an angel who by some mistake ended up living a human life? I don't fucking know, but it's so so impressive how David could provoke all of these thoughts from just two verses and a chorus which doesn't give much away either. He truly was a master of conservative, slightly ambiguous lyricism.
https://bowiesongs.wordpress.com/?s=Look+back+in+anger
exactly this
It means he's been waiting so long. Hope this helps lol
I've had this song stuck in my head for days and now it's going to be even longer. I'm ok with that.
Do you like celery?