(Photo Credit – Janet Macoska)
Music often serves as a mirror to our souls, reflecting our innermost thoughts and providing solace in times of uncertainty. Like many, I often find myself turning to music for answers and comfort. Recently, David Bowie’s birthday on January 8th led me to delve deeply into his expansive discography. Interestingly, just a few years prior, I wouldn’t have considered myself a dedicated Bowie fan. It might sound surprising, but let me explain my journey into appreciating the genius behind the “let’s dance song” and so much more.
My appreciation for Bowie was ignited unexpectedly through another artist: Lady Gaga. Regardless of personal opinions on her music, Gaga’s vocal talent and authentic persona are undeniable. While watching a documentary about her, I was struck by her repeated references to David Bowie as a significant role model. Sharing this with my husband, his immediate reaction was, “There’s no way you don’t like Bowie.”
My somewhat dismissive response, “Air control to Major Tom? Right?” was met with a knowing nod. “And so much more,” he added, proceeding to play a selection of Bowie’s songs. It was in that moment that a realization dawned upon me: I had unknowingly been a Bowie admirer all along. This was a surprising discovery for someone who usually over-analyzes their musical preferences.
Bowie’s unique approach was his unwavering commitment to creating music that resonated with his sense of truth. This dedication to authenticity is a message that deeply resonates, particularly in today’s world. During a week filled with misinformation and anxieties, revisiting Bowie’s work served as a powerful reminder of those who bravely champion truth. I often aspire to such courage, and I genuinely strive towards it.
This “realness” is powerfully encapsulated in his iconic “Let’s Dance” song. Let’s examine the lyrics to understand the depth within this seemingly upbeat track.
Let’s Dance – David Bowie
Let’s dance
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let’s dance
To the song they’re playin’ on the radio
Let’s sway
While color lights up your face
Let’s sway
Sway through the crowd to an empty space
If you say run
I’ll run with you
And if you say hide
We’ll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let’s dance
Let’s dance
For fear your grace should fall
Let’s dance
For fear tonight is all
Let’s sway
You could look into my eyes
Let’s sway
Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight
And if you say run
I’ll run with you
And if you say hide
We’ll hide
Because my love for you
Would break my heart in two
If you should fall into my arms
And tremble like a flower
Let’s dance
Put on your red shoes and dance the blues
Let’s sway
Under the moonlight, this serious moonlight
Let’s dance
Let’s dance
Let’s dance, dance, dance
Many are familiar with the music video for “Let’s Dance,” a visually striking piece that complements the song’s complex themes. Nile Rodgers, the producer of the album, offered a revealing interpretation of the lyrics: “When David wrote those lyrics, he was talking about the dance that people do in life; the conceptual dance of not being honest. He sings, ‘put on your red shoes and dance the blues.’ Like you’re pretending to be happy but you’re sad” (Mojo). This insight unveils a layer of meaning beneath the catchy rhythm of the “let’s dance song.”
Reflecting on Rodgers’ words, and despite its undeniable groove, “Let’s Dance” carries a palpable undercurrent of melancholy. It’s not simply a celebratory anthem. Lines like “If you say run, I’ll run with you” evoke a sense of urgency and perhaps even desperation. The music video itself reinforces this feeling; Bowie’s direct gaze into the camera, almost a strained expression, amplifies the intensity of his delivery. Does this reflect a societal reality where genuine self-expression requires escape or even a desperate plea to be heard?
Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” song, therefore, is more than just an invitation to the dance floor. It’s a poignant commentary on societal pressures and the struggle for authenticity. It poses a question: have we reached a point where we must “run” to be our true selves, where our voices must be “screamed” to be acknowledged? Bowie was undoubtedly tapping into a profound truth. It is now the responsibility of contemporary musicians and artists to carry this torch forward, to assure humanity that there is always a space for genuine expression and truth in their work, just like in the powerful message embedded within the “let’s dance song.”
