We Are The Dead by David Bowie

Album: Diamond Dogs (1974)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This is based on a line from George Orwell's novel 1984 - "We are the dead" are the last words Winston Smith says to Julia before they are caught by the Thought Police. Bowie wrote the song for a musical adaptation of the book but failed to get authorization from the Orwell estate. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Charlie - Stittstown, Canada
Marilyn Manson put this #1 on his list of "The Songs That Made Me" for a feature in Rolling Stone, explaining that it was a huge influence on his Antichrist Superstar album. "It felt like it was about the culture of Hollywood, the disgusting cannibalism," he said.

Comments: 3

Ian from TorontoYep, Jenny, I agree completely. Sweet Thing suite is probably my favourite Bowie thing. Ironically, his big hit, Rebel Rebel, though a great little rocker, is the least interesting cut on the album by far. It'd be the first song I'd drop from the lp if I had too.
Jenny from Hereford, EnglandI agree with you,Jon,it does seem like Winston is singing it and I almost expect O'Brien to come from behind the picture and echo him xxx
Wowowowo what a fantastic lp that is!!!I think "Candidate"/"Sweet Thing"/"Candidate" (reprise) is the best thing on the Lp though,and then segues into "Rebel Rebel" mmmmmmmmmmmmmxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
LOVE that man xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jon from Whittier, CaThe best 1984-inspired song on the album, because Bowie sings it with such melancholic dispair...but it's very close to the book with the lyrics. Makes it look like Winston sung it, not David.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

My Name IsEminem

Eminem's first hit was "My Name Is," which introduced his alter ego, Slim Shady.

Passionate KissesLucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams wrote and recorded "Passionate Kisses" four years before it was a hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Gives You HellThe All-American Rejects

The first US Top 10 hit with the word "hell" in the title was "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects in 2008.

Papa Don't PreachMadonna

Madonna didn't write "Papa Don't Preach," which deals with abortion. What drew her to the song was the singer standing up to male authority.

Station to StationDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Station to Station" is over 10 minutes long. Bowie was doing a lot of drugs at the time and later said, "I have only flashes of making it."

Hound DogElvis Presley

The songwriting team Leiber and Stoller wrote "Hound Dog" for a blues singer named Big Mama Thronton, who first recorded the song in 1953. Elvis covered it in 1956, and it became his biggest hit.