You Feel So Lonely You Could Die

Album: The Next Day (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This melodramatic soul-drenched waltz-time piano ballad finds Bowie singing a kiss off to a would-be suicide, whose depression appears to have been brought on by the loneliness of a city. "I can see you as a corpse, hanging from a beam... Oh, see if I care, Oh please make it soon," he croons.
  • The song title is taken from a lyric from Elvis Presley's first hit, "Heartbreak Hotel". Bowie shares his birthday, January 8th, with The King.
  • Critics have compared the tune's mournful tone to that of "Five Years" and the song concludes with the drum pattern of the Ziggy Stardust track.

Comments: 1

  • Mark Devey from EnglandThis song is David Bowie pleading with David Jones to carry on after his heart attack, or leave without a sound without an end. It's one of his most beautiful & personal songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.