"Heroes"

David Bowie

About "Heroes"

"Heroes" is a song by English musician David Bowie. It was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno, produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti, and recorded in July and August 1977 at Hansa Studio by the Wall. It was released on 23 September 1977 as the lead single from his 12th studio album of the same name, backed with the song "V-2 Schneider". A product of Bowie's "Berlin" period, the track was not a huge hit in the United Kingdom or United States after its release, but it has since become one of his signature songs. In January 2016, following Bowie's death, the song reached a new peak of number 12 in the UK Singles Chart. "'Heroes'" has been cited as Bowie's second-most covered song after "Rebel Rebel". Inspired by the sight of Bowie's producer-engineer Tony Visconti embracing his lover by the Berlin Wall, the song tells the story of two lovers, one from East and one from West Berlin. Bowie's performance of "'Heroes'" on June 6, 1987, at the German Reichstag in West Berlin has been considered a catalyst to the later fall of the Berlin Wall. Following his death in January 2016, the German government thanked Bowie for "helping to bring down the Wall", adding "you are now among Heroes"."'Heroes'" has received numerous accolades since its release, as seen with its inclusion on lists ranking the "greatest songs of all time" compiled by the music publications; Rolling Stone named the song the 46th greatest ever, and NME named it the 15th greatest. Bowie scholar David Buckley has written that "'Heroes'" "is perhaps pop's definitive statement of the potential triumph of the human spirit over adversity". 


Year:
1988
5:10

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I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day

And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes, we're lovers, and that is that

Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, forever and ever
What'd you say?

I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day

I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day

We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes

We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh

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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: Brian Peter George Eno, David Bowie

Lyrics © TINTORETTO MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Conception
"Heroes" was co-written by David Bowie and Brian Eno. They were both influential in the evolution of the song's sound and lyrics in 1977.
Inspired by Romance
The lyrics were inspired by the sight of Bowie's producer, Tony Visconti, and his girlfriend kissing in front of the Berlin Wall.
Album
"Heroes" is the title track of the album, which is the second installment of Bowie's 'Berlin Trilogy' alongside ''Low'' and ''Lodger.''
Language Versions
Bowie recorded the song in English, French, and German. The German version of the song is titled "Helden."
Music Genre
"Heroes" is a rock song infused with elements of hard rock, electro-pop, and punk.
Influential Impact
The song became a staple piece in the New Wave movement and influenced artists like Bon Jovi, Oasis, and Depeche Mode.
Berlin Wall Symbolism
The lyrics of "Heroes" provide heavy symbolism of the Berlin Wall and political segregation, helping it to become a symbol of liberty over time.
Charts
Even though it is one of Bowie's most famous songs, "Heroes" initially didn't have major chart success. It only went to #24 on the UK charts and failed to chart in the US.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, including Prince, Peter Gabriel, Aphex Twin, and Oasis.
Olympic Usage
An instrumental version of "Heroes" performed by New Order was used for the athletes' entrance music during the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony.
Legacy
Rolling Stone magazine listed "Heroes" as #46 in its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time in 2004.
Bowie’s Perspective
Despite it not being commercially successful initially, Bowie described "Heroes" as one of his absolute favorite of his own songs.

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