Quicksand

David Bowie

About Quicksand

"Quicksand" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album Hunky Dory; it was recorded on 14 July 1971. This ballad features multi-tracked acoustic guitars and a string arrangement by Mick Ronson. Producer Ken Scott, having recently engineered George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass, attempted to create a similarly powerful acoustic sound with this track. Lyrically the song, like much of Bowie's work at this time, was influenced by Buddhism, occultism, and Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the Superman. It refers to the magical society Golden Dawn and name-checks one of its most famous members, Aleister Crowley, as well as Heinrich Himmler, Winston Churchill and Juan Pujol (codename: Garbo). 


Year:
1971
4:43
50 
#1

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I'm closer to the Golden Dawn 
Immersed in Crowley's uniform 
Of imagery 
I'm living in a silent film 
Portraying 
Himmler's sacred realm 
Of dream reality 
I'm frightened by the total goal 
Drawing to the ragged hole 
And I ain't got the power anymore 
No I ain't got the power anymore 

I'm the twisted name 
On Garbo's eyes 
Living proof of 
Churchill's lies 
I'm destiny 
I'm torn between the light and dark 
Where others see their targets 
Divine symmetry 
Should I kiss the viper's fang 
Or herald loud
The death of Man 
I'm sinking in the quicksand 
Of my thought 
And I ain't got the power anymore

[CHORUS]
Don't believe in yourself 
Don't deceive with belief 
Knowledge comes
With death's release 

I'm not a prophet 
Or a stone age man 
Just a mortal 
With the potential of a superman 
I'm living on 
I'm tethered to the logic 
Of Homo Sapien 
Can't take my eyes 
From the great salvation 
Of bullshit faith 
If I don't explain what you ought to know 
You can tell me all about it 
On, the next Bardo
I'm sinking in the quicksand 
Of my thought 
And I ain't got the power anymore

[CHORUS]

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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 Release
"Quicksand" is a song by the British singer-songwriter David Bowie, released in 1971 on his album "Hunky Dory."
Album Contribution
It is the fifth track on the album "Hunky Dory" which is considered one of Bowie's best works.
Lyrics Content
The song's lyrics delve deep into themes of nihilism, referencing famous people such as Aleister Crowley, Winston Churchill, and Heinrich Himmler. The lyrics also refer to the Golden Dawn, a magical order prominent to the British occult scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Song Inspiration
Bowie's interest in Buddhism and chaos theory reportedly had a strong influence on the lyrics of "Quicksand."
Music Style
The song has been described as a slow-tempo folk song with a sophisticated arrangement reflecting the influence of British folk-rock of the period.
Acclaimed Performance
NME (New Musical Express) critics Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray have called "Quicksand" an "unquestionable masterpiece".
Reception
Even though "Quicksand" wasn't a single, it gained popularity and critical acclaim, contributing significantly to Bowie's status as a singer/songwriter.
Live Renditions
The song was not performed live until 1997, during the Earthling Tour. Since then, it has been a regular feature of Bowie's live performances.
Tribute Performance
After Bowie's death in 2016, the song was performed as a tribute by Donovan, a renowned Scottish singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
Usage in Media
The song's popularity led to its use in films and television series. Most notably, it was used in the credits sequence of the 2019 film "Jojo Rabbit."

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