Queen Bitch

David Bowie, Lou Reed

About Queen Bitch

"Queen Bitch" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album Hunky Dory. Bowie was a great Velvet Underground fan and wrote the song in tribute to the band and Lou Reed. He recorded a studio cover of Reed's "I'm Waiting for the Man" in 1967 (which remains unissued), as well as live versions, which may be heard on Bowie at the Beeb and on Live Nassau Coliseum '76 (in the 2010 special edition and deluxe edition re-issues of Station to Station). "Queen Bitch" starts with Bowie counting down to his acoustic guitar before Mick Ronson's thrashy guitar riff enters. The song's arrangement, featuring a melodic bass line, a tight drum pattern, choppy distorted guitar chords, and an understated vocal performance by Bowie, provided the template for the glam rock style that features prominently on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, his seminal 1972 follow-up to Hunky Dory. While the main riff is similar to The Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane", it is actually lifted from Eddie Cochran's "Three Steps to Heaven". (a posthumous #1 hit single in the UK in 1960). 


Year:
1971
3:20
104 
#1

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I'm up on the eleventh floor
And I'm watching the cruisers below
He's down on the street
And he's trying hard
To pull sister Flo
My heart's in the basement
My weekend's at an all time low

'Cause she's hoping to score
So I can't see her
Letting him go
Walk out of her heart
Walk out of her mind

She's so swishy in her satin and tat
In her frock coat
And bipperty-bopperty hat
Oh God, I could do better than that

She's an old-time ambassador
Of sweet talking, night walking games
And she's known in the darkest clubs
For pushing ahead of the dames
If she says she can do it
Then she can do it,
She don't make false claims
But she's a Queen,
And such are queens
That your laughter
Is sucked in their brains
Now she's leading him on
And she'll lay him right down
But it could have been me
Yes, it could have been me
Why didn't I say,
Why didn't I say, no, no, no

She's so swishy in her satin and tat
In her frock coat
And bipperty-bopperty hat
Oh God, I could do better than that

So I lay down a while
And I gaze at my hotel wall
Oh the cot is so cold
It don't feel like no bed at all
Yeah I lay down a while
And I gaze at my hotel wall
But he's down on the street
So I throw both his bags down the hall
And I'm phoning a cab
'Cause my stomach feels small
There's a taste in my mouth
And it's no taste at all

It could have been me
Oh yeah, it could have been me
Why didn't I say,
Why didn't I say, no, no, no

She's so swishy in her satin and tat
In her frock coat
And bipperty-bopperty hat
Oh God, I could do better than that

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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

Song Background
"Queen Bitch" is a song by British singer-songwriter David Bowie, featured on his 1970 album "Hunky Dory".
Velvet Underground Influence
The song is said to be a tribute to the Velvet Underground, a popular American rock band that Bowie admired. The guitar riff, vocal style, and lyrics of "Queen Bitch" show a clear influence of Velvet Underground's music.
Personal Inspiration
"Queen Bitch" was reportedly inspired by a drag queen Bowie knew in London, portraying her as a strong and powerful character in the song.
Popularity and Reviews
Despite never being released as a single, "Queen Bitch" became one of Bowie's most popular songs from the "Hunky Dory" album with positive reviews from critics praising its innovative sound and vivid storytelling.
Connection to Ziggy Stardust
The song is often associated with Bowie's iconic character, Ziggy Stardust due to its glam rock sound and edgy lyrics. The song was often included in Bowie's live sets during the Ziggy Stardust era.
Music Video Appearance
"Queen Bitch" was performed by Bowie on the popular British music show, 'Old Grey Whistle Test' in 1972. Even though it was a television performance, many consider this as the song's music video due to its popularity and significant influence.
Covers and Tributes
The song has been covered by various artists, demonstrating its long-lasting influence on different genres of music. Artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Elliott Smith have performed their own version of "Queen Bitch".
Track Details
The song runs for 3 minutes and 18 seconds, and is the 10th track on the "Hunky Dory" album.
The Song's Legacy
The song continues to be seen as an important and groundbreaking piece of glam rock and LGBTQ+ representation in music. Bowie's "Queen Bitch" is often cited as a significant milestone in the artist's evolving musical style that led to his Ziggy Stardust era.
Film and TV Appearances
"Queen Bitch" has appeared in several films and TV shows over the years, including "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou", a 2004 movie that heavily features David Bowie's music.

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