David Bowie Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide – Quicksand (1974 France) estimated value € 20,00

"Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" is a song by David Bowie, originally released as the closing track on the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in June 1972. It detailed Ziggy's final collapse as an old, washed-up rock star and, as such, was also the closing number of the Ziggy Stardust live show.

In April 1974 RCA issued it as a single.

Production credits

Producers
Ken Scott
David Bowie

Musicians

David Bowie: vocals, acoustic guitar, sax, string arrangement
Mick Ronson: electric guitars
Trevor Bolder: bass guitar
Mick Woodmansey: drums

Key Details

Album: It is the final track on the landmark album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972).

Musicians: The recording features the Spiders from Mars: Mick Ronson (guitar/vocals/string arrangement), Trevor Bolder (bass), and Mick Woodmansey (drums).

Instrumentation: The song starts as a sparse acoustic ballad and builds into a dramatic orchestral crescendo. The string section was arranged by Mick Ronson, and the track also features a prominent horn section toward the end.

Production: The track was co-produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott.

Inspiration: The lyrics were inspired by the poetry of Charles Baudelaire and the concept of an aging rock star at the end of his tether. The famous "You're not alone!" chant was intended to be a direct connection with his audience.

Release: While the album was released in June 1972, "Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide" was eventually released as a single on April 11, 1974, to mark the end of the Ziggy Stardust era as Bowie moved into his Diamond Dogs period.

For more archival information on the Ziggy Stardust sessions, you can visit the Official David Bowie Website or the Bowie Bible entry for "Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide".

Lyrics

Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth
You pull on your finger, then another finger, then cigarette
The wall-to-wall is calling, it lingers, then you forget
Oh, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide

You're too old to lose it, too young to choose it
And the clock waits so patiently on your song
You walk past a cafe, but you don't eat when you've lived too long
Oh, no, no, no, you're a rock 'n' roll suicide

Chev brakes are snarling as you stumble across the road
But the day breaks instead, so you hurry home
Don't let the sun blast your shadow
Don't let the milk float ride your mind
You're so natural, religiously unkind

Oh no, love, you're not alone
You're watching yourself, but you're too unfair
You got your head all tangled up, but if I could only make you care
Oh no, love, you're not alone
No matter what or who you've been
No matter when or where you've seen
All the knives seem to lacerate your brain
I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain
You're not alone

Just turn on with me, and you're not alone
Let's turn on and be not alone
Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
Gimme your hands, 'cause you're wonderful
Oh, gimme your hands