The Meaning Behind The Song: Valentine’s Day by David Bowie
David Bowie’s “Valentine’s Day” stands as a poignant piece in his musical repertoire, and its layered meanings add depth to the listening experience. Released as the fourth single from his 25th studio album, “The Next Day,” in 2013, the song not only captivates with its melodic allure but also unfolds a sobering message on the complex issue of gun control.
At its core, “Valentine’s Day” delves into the psychology of a school shooter. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of inner turmoil and darkness, exploring the mindset of an individual capable of committing a violent act. Bowie, known for his ability to tackle diverse and challenging subjects through his music, chose to address a deeply unsettling societal issue.
The Recording Process
Recorded as one of the final pieces for “The Next Day,” “Valentine’s Day” came to life at the Magic Shop in New York City. The backing track was laid down on July 24, 2012, while Bowie’s vocals were added on September 18, 2012, at Human Worldwide Studios in the same city. The deliberate choice of recording locations adds an element of authenticity to the song, capturing the energy of New York, a city known for its diversity and complexity.
Release and Recognition
“Valentine’s Day” made its official debut on August 19, 2013, in the UK, followed by its release on the 20th in the US and other countries. The single quickly gained attention, earning a spot on BBC Radio 2’s A-list in early August 2013. It entered the UK’s Airplay Chart Top 40 on August 9, 2013, showcasing its impact on the airwaves.
Misleading Title: A Song of Social Commentary
Despite its title, “Valentine’s Day” takes an unexpected turn away from themes of romance or affection. Instead, it serves as a vehicle for Bowie to deliver a profound social commentary on a disturbing reality: gun violence. The dissonance between the title and the song’s content invites listeners to reconsider preconceived notions and challenges societal norms.
The University Shooting Connection
The song’s connection to a tragic event adds a layer of poignancy. It’s believed that “Valentine’s Day” references a 2008 university shooting in Northern Illinois that occurred on Valentine’s Day. Bowie’s decision to channel this real-world tragedy into his art highlights his commitment to addressing pressing social issues through his platform.
Tony Visconti’s Insight
American producer Tony Visconti, who worked on the track, provided valuable insight into the song’s subject matter. He described it as “pretty scary” and directly related to individuals who commit violent acts with firearms. The choice to address such a sensitive and alarming topic showcases Bowie’s courage to confront societal issues head-on.
The Music Video: Visual Symbolism
The music video for “Valentine’s Day” adds another layer of symbolism to the song’s message. Bowie, playing a G2T Hohner guitar, is visually connected to an unsettling silhouette resembling a gun. Critics have drawn parallels between this image and an infamous photograph of Charlton Heston addressing gun laws at an NRA convention in 2000. Bowie’s intentional use of visual symbolism reinforces the gravity of the song’s theme.
The Final 7-Inch Single: Bowie’s Closing Artistic Statement
“Valentine’s Day” holds a unique place in Bowie’s discography as his final 7-inch single released from a new album during his lifetime. The song, with its weighty subject matter and artistic craftsmanship, serves as a closing statement from an artist who consistently pushed boundaries and used his platform to address societal challenges.
Legacy and Reverberations
“Valentine’s Day” continues to resonate as a thought-provoking piece in the wake of Bowie’s passing in 2016. Its enduring legacy lies not only in its musical composition but in its capacity to spark conversations about gun violence and societal responsibility.
In crafting “Valentine’s Day,” David Bowie created more than a song; he crafted a vessel for societal reflection and discourse. Through its intricate layers of meaning, the song challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and encourages a deeper understanding of the world we inhabit. Bowie’s ability to infuse art with social commentary ensures that “Valentine’s Day” remains a compelling and relevant piece of musical storytelling.
One Valentine was a priest in third-century Rome who defied Emperor Claudius II after the ruler outlawed marriage for young men. St. Valentine would perform marriages in secret for young lovers, ultimately leading to his death.
This prompted people to think it was Bowie's real mother in the video, it wasn't. Though what it actually was, was a recreation of the old lady with Pierrot as depicted in George Underwood's painting on the back of the David Bowie Phillips album (AKA, Space Oddity). Watch the full Ashes To Ashes video here.
For example: in 1969, Bowie introduced the world to Major Tom with Space Oddity, reaching the Top 5 in the UK and coinciding with the first moon landing. He was 22.
"Space Oddity" tells the story of an astronaut named Major Tom, who is informed by Ground Control that a malfunction has occurred in his spacecraft; but Major Tom does not get the message, because he either misses it or is in such awe of outer space that he does not hear it.
1 John 4:7-12. Dear friends: let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
While the holiday has undergone secularization over time, its origins in Christian martyrdom and acts of love align with broader spiritual themes of compassion, selflessness, and devotion. For some, Valentine's Day serves as a reminder of the importance of love in both human relationships and spiritual practice.
You can't find ashes to ashes, dust to dust in the Bible because it isn't there! The phrase comes from the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer, and it is based on Genesis 3:19, Genesis 18:27, Job 30:19, and Ecclesiastes 3:20. Those passages say that we begin and end as dust. Where did the ashes come from?
The quote "dust to dust, ashes to ashes" is a well-known phrase derived from the Christian Bible, specifically from the Book of Common Prayer's funeral service. The phrase is typically used to refer to the cycle of life and death, and suggests that all living things ultimately return to the earth from which they came.
On 10 January 2016, the English musician David Bowie died at his Lafayette Street home in New York City, having been diagnosed with liver cancer 18 months earlier. He died two days after the release of his twenty-sixth and final studio album, Blackstar, which coincided with his 69th birthday.
It seems a fittingly rock and roll way to sign off for the last time, with an irritated expletive. Gary Oldman has revealed that his close friend David Bowie's last words to him were “f--- off”. The actor didn't take it personally.
"Space Oddity," tells the story of Major Tom, an astronaut who becomes lost in space and has a surreal and transcendent experience. In "Ashes to Ashes", Bowie revisits the character of Major Tom, who is now described as a drug addict and a victim of his own fame.
As it is later confirmed in 'Ashes to Ashes', Major Tom is a junkie, thus, he might not be soaring above the Earth and seeing things “in a most peculiar way” because he's floating in a tin can, but rather a drug-induced state of altered reality.
But it's a testament to Bowie's determination and the record industry's faith in his potential that finally, in July 1969, Bowie got a hit with “Space Oddity.” It was Bowie's first single on the Phillips label and in September, it made the UK singles chart and eventually climbed to No. 5 on the chart.
Black might be a favourite of many, but on Valentine's Day, it symbolizes rejection. You just got your heart broken because of a rejected proposal. Wear a black outfit to portray your state of mind. It's alright to take time off and heal.
If you find a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your beloved will have the other missing glove. If a girl chooses six names and chants them as she twists the stem of an apple, the stem will break as she says the name of her true love. A kiss on Valentine's Day will bring good luck for the rest of the year.
Valentine Week Calendar 2024: Valentine's Day is around the corner and the arrival of Valentine's Week brings with it the enchanting beauty of love, warmth, and passion. The most awaited Valentine's Week spanning from 7th February to 14th February fills the love air with the spirits of love.
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang on Saint Valentine's Day 1929. The men were gathered at a Lincoln Park, Chicago garage on the morning of February 14, 1929.
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