Joe the Lion
David Bowie
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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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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".
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Genre ClassificationThe 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.
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Inspirational SourceBowie'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."
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Brian Eno's ContributionThe 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.
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Altered Sound TechniquesThe 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.
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Provocative LyricsThe 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.
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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.
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Critical ReceptionDespite 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.
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Commercial PerformanceWhile 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.
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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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