Joe the Lion

David Bowie

About Joe the Lion

"Joe the Lion" is a song written by David Bowie in 1977 for the album "Heroes". It was produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti and features lead guitar by Robert Fripp. Like the album as a whole, the song demonstrates the influence of German Krautrock. The track is in part a tribute to performance artist Chris Burden, who was famous for having himself nailed to a Volkswagen in 1974 ("Nail me to my car and I'll tell you who you are") and for having an assistant shoot him in the arm at an art gallery in 1971 ("Guess you'll buy a gun / You'll buy it secondhand"). "Joe the Lion" has also been seen as reflecting Bowie's struggle to overcome the emotional numbness that appeared to permeate his previous album Low ("You get up and sleep"). Bowie played the song live on the 1983 Serious Moonlight and 1995 Outside tours, and it was considered (but ultimately not performed) for his 1987 Glass Spider Tour. "Joe the Lion" has been described by critic Chris O'Leary as "phenomenal" and "one of the high peaks of Bowie's late Seventies". 


Year:
1983
140 
#3

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Joe the lion
Went to the bar
A couple of drinks on the house an' he said
"Tell you who you are if you nail me to my car"
Boy
Thanks for hesitating
This is the kiss off

Boy
Thanks for hesitating
You'll never know the real story
Just a couple of dreams
You get up and sleep

You can, by god, it's Monday
Slither down the greasy pipe
So far so good, no one saw you
Hobble over any freeway
You will be like your dreams tonight

You get up and sleep
You get up and sleep
Joe the lion
Made of iron

Joe the lion
Went to the bar
A couple of drinks on the house an' he was
A fortune teller he said
"Nail me to my car and I'll tell you who you are"

Joe the lion, yeah yeah
Went to the bar, yeah yeah
A couple of dreams and he was
A fortune teller
(Nail me to my car tell you who you are) he said

You get up and sleep
The wind blows on your check
The day laughs in your face
Guess you'll buy a gun
You'll buy it secondhand
You'll get up and sleep

Joe the lion made of iron
Joe the lion made of iron
Joe the lion made of iron
Joe the lion made of

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David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known by his stage name David Bowie ( /ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee), was an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and considerable eclecticism of his work. more »

30 fans

Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Joe The Lion" is a song authored and performed by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It came out as part of his 1977 album "Heroes".
Genre Classification
The track can be classified under the genres of Art Rock and Experimental Rock - a compositional style blending rock influences with avant-garde contemporary music practices.
Inspirational Source
Bowie's song was inspired by U.K pop artist Chris Burden who once had himself shot as a performance art piece. The song title "Joe the Lion" was borrowed from Burden's performance, "Trans-fixed."
Brian Eno's Contribution
The seminal electronic music artist Brian Eno played a key role in creating "Joe the Lion", working alongside Bowie in the studio. His creative touch used the EMS VCS3 - British made portable analogue synthesizer.
Altered Sound Techniques
The song utilizes various instrumental techniques (like sacramental howling of guitar and cacophonous bursts of noise) to create the chaotic and prophetic atmosphere the song is known for.
Provocative Lyrics
The song's provocative lyrics engage the listener with a more profound aural experience. Bowie sings, "You'll get away, just walk away," a powerful line that supposedly represents the harsh reality of performance art.
Track Duration
"Joe the Lion" lasts for a duration of 3 minutes and 5 seconds, making it one of the shorter songs on the "Heroes" album.
Critical Reception
Despite its experimental avant-garde style, the song has generally received positive reviews from critics. They especially highlighted its innovative marriage of rock instrumentation and abstract, unconventional musical structures.
Commercial Performance
While the song itself did not chart, the "Heroes" album peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart, marking a significant commercial success for Bowie.
Legacy
"Joe the Lion" is typically cited as a prime example of Bowie's chameleonic ability to shift musical styles and push boundaries within the rock genre - solidifying his position as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

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