Station to Station

Album: Station to Station (1976)
Play Video
  • On the back cover of the Station to Station reissue, there is a photo of Bowie drawing the Tree of Life, a Kabbalah symbol with 10 spheres, each representing a key spiritual principle.

    Kether is the sphere at the top of the tree, representing the crown of the divine. The bottom sphere is Malkuth, which represents the physical world (the kingdom).

    Bowie references this in the title track when he sings, "Here we are, one magical movement from kether to malkuth."

Comments: 7

  • Colin from EuropeEuropean Canon refers to the European Jesuit Order Templar's.
  • Colin from EuropeStation to Station was written during Bowie' s fixation with Nazism and the Occult. Bowie moved to Swiss Templar Nazi Switzerland the same year it was written. Bowie expressed admiration for Fascist leadership, Nazi uniforms and collected Nazi memorabilia during this time. He later said that when he lived for a time in Berlin Germany he met the offspring of Nazi victims and it dawned on him how naive he'd been. Station to Station starts with a slow train coming down the tracks in the distance and it is an eerie representation of the cattle tricks that took the Khazarian ( Ashkenazi ) Jews to the Concentration Camp's ( CC). The song later begins to seque into a paen for Templar ritual and ritual sacrifice ." One there were mountains on mountains" representing Switzerland and " sunbirds to soar with" represents the Crown Templar Dynasty sun worship. When he talks of "drain your glass" it seems to point to draining blood and adrenochrome drinking. Bowie was a big fan of Alister Crowley who also had Swiss connections. Bowie in the subsequent years has claimed that he was so strung out on cocaine that he has no recollection of much of this whole of period.
  • Bigchainring from Washington DcI saw Bowie in Concert when this was his most recent album. He performed Station to Station; this song obviously starts slow, the stage was almost dark, you could barely see him until he sang the words "It's not the side-effects of the cocaine" and instantly, they flooded the stage with bright white lights.
  • Aife from LondonI think they meant it's the only song that refers to the Thin White Duke. There are also songs for Aladdin Sane , and Diamond Dogs , if you count that as a character
    And I believe it's European Canon , one n , meaning body of work
    The lyrics are quite oblique but one of his best songs I think
  • Scott Glazbrook from AustraliaIt is not the only song that names a character, Ziggy
  • Garry S from Manahawkin, NjWhat is a European Cannon?
  • Cliff from Oakdale, NyBowie opened his Jones Beach Theater Concert at Zach's Bay a few years ago with this one. He used an unbelivable video in the background of trains rushing to each other along with a great light show, it was spectacular!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.