Suffragette City

David Bowie

About Suffragette City

"Suffragette City" is a song by English musician David Bowie. It featured on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars album in 1972, and was previously released as the B-side to the Starman single in April 1972. It was later issued as a single in 1976 to promote the Changesonebowie compilation in the UK, with the US single edit of "Stay" on the B-side. The single failed to chart. Recorded on 4 February 1972, towards the end of the Ziggy Stardust sessions, "Suffragette City" features a piano riff heavily influenced by Little Richard, a lyrical reference to the book and film A Clockwork Orange (the word "droogie," meaning "friend") and the sing-along hook "wham bam, thank you, ma'am!". Before recording it himself, Bowie offered it to the band Mott the Hoople if they would forgo their plan to break up. The group refused, but recorded Bowie's "All the Young Dudes" instead. 


Year:
2005
3:25
52 

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Hey man, oh leave me alone you know
Hey man, oh Henry, get off the phone, I gotta
Hey man, I gotta straighten my face
This mellow thighed chick just put my spine out of place
Hey man, my schooldays insane
Hey man, my work's down the drain
Hey man, well she's a total blam-blam
She said she had to squeeze it but she then she

Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight she's all right

Hey man, oh Henry, don't be unkind, go away
Hey man, I can't take you this time, no way
Hey man, droogie don't crash here
There's only room for one and here she comes, here she comes

Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight she's all right

Oh hit me

Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man
'Cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Oh don't lean on me man, 'cause you can't afford the ticket
I'm back on Suffragette City

Don't lean on me man ''cause you ain't got time to check it
You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight she's all right

A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
I'm back on Suffragette City, I'm back on Suffragette City
Ooo, Sufraggete city, ooo, Suffragette City
Oooh-how, Sufragette City, oooh-how, Sufragette City
Ohhh, wham bam thank you ma'am
A Suffragette City, a Suffragette City
Quite all right
A Suffragette City
Too fine
A Suffragette City, ooh, a Sufragette City
Oh, my Sufragette City, oh my Suffragette City
Oh, Suffragette
Suffragette

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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 © BMG Rights Management, TINTORETTO MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Creative Genesis
"Suffragette City" is a song by English musician David Bowie. It was originally released in April 1972 as a part of his fifth studio album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Ziggy Stardust Concept
The song is a part of Bowie's concept album which revolves around a fictional rock star named Ziggy Stardust. The character was Bowie's alter ego during the early 70s with "Suffragette City" being a part of Ziggy Stardust’s narrative.
Genre
"Suffragette City" is a glam rock song influenced by the rock and roll of the 1950s, and it is one of David Bowie's most intense rockers.
Borrowed Catchphrase
The phrase "Wham, bam, thank you ma'am," used in the song, was borrowed from the 1950s American saying and was a nod to the younger, wilder spirit of rock 'n' roll.
Mott the Hoople Decline
Bowie actually offered "Suffragette City" to the band Mott the Hoople, who declined it. However, they accepted another Bowie’s song "All the Young Dudes", which went on to become their signature song and revived their career.
Female Empowerment
Bowie used the term "Suffragette city" as a symbolic reference to female empowerment, with ‘suffragettes’ being a nod to the women who fought for women’s right to vote.
Sci-Fi Elements
The song also is noted for its sci-fi elements, characteristic of much of Bowie's work. It lyrically combined this futuristic vision with sexual themes, a commonality in the glam rock genre.
Cultural Impact
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Frank Turner, The Flaming Lips and Red Hot Chili Peppers, securing its place as a cultural classic in rock music.
Single Release
"Suffragette City" was issued as a single in 1976 to promote the ChangesOneBowie compilation in the U.S., it failed to chart.
Live Performances
As one of Bowie's signature anthems, "Suffragette City" was often included in live set lists and featured in many of the artist's concert tours over his career. Notably, it formed part of the encore on his Ziggy Stardust Tour.

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