March the twelfth 2013, David Bowie releases a new album 'The Next Day.' No one, expected a new record from The Thin White Duke. Well, at least not many other than Bowie himself - and those working with him on the album. The first single from the upcoming record has many things in common with one of Bowie's album classics.
History and the Berlin Wall ties the new album and its opening single, 'Where Are We Now?' together with Bowie's epic album and single 'Heroes.'
Berlin and the Berlin Wall are central topics on both songs, however in different ways. On 'Where Are We Now?,' David Bowie reflects on Berlin as it is today, and Berlin and the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Listening to the 'Heroes' single from 1977, Bowie sings about two young lovers sitting on a bench by the Berlin Wall. Bowie later told in an interview that he couldn't understand why the couple had chosen such a grim place.
Bowie alters the story on 'Heroes,' now guns are firing over the couples heads: "I, I can remember standing by the wall, And the guns shot over our heads, And we kissed, as though nothing could fall." You wonder, whether the guns are real, and if the couple are trying to cross the Berlin Wall and escape the guards, or if the guns are a symbol of a dying relationship?
So, the Wall was already on Bowie's mind, in 1977, where 'Heroes' was released. Furthermore, there is a duality between the two songs texts, which gives 'Where Are We Now' an extra dimension; one could call it a unique historical perspective. On 'Heroes,' Bowie sings about a relationship that is doomed to fail by the circumstances of reality. However, the lovers pretend or dream that it will last forever, by ceasing the moment and forgetting about everything and 'kissing like nothing could fall,' acting like dramatic heroes.
The Berlin Wall is also a stark symbol of the Cold War and its inhumanity. East- and West Berliners' couldn't just visit each other, they ran the risk of getting shot if they tried to climb over the Berlin Wall.
On 'Where Are We Now,' Bowie also reflect on the Berlin Wall, however, from a historical perspective and based on his own experiences with Berlin in the 70s. Places that has become historical important landmarks for our understanding of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the closure of the Cold War, are mentioned.
Looking at the two album covers, the connection between the albums become even more obvious. The front cover from the 'Heroes' album is used on the new album. However, Bowie's face have been replaced with a white square and the album title: 'The Next Day.' Is it the aftermath of the 'Heroes' single or the Fall of the Berlin Wall? We will know more 12th March, where David Bowie's new album is released.
History and the Berlin Wall ties the new album and its opening single, 'Where Are We Now?' together with Bowie's epic album and single 'Heroes.'
Berlin and the Berlin Wall are central topics on both songs, however in different ways. On 'Where Are We Now?,' David Bowie reflects on Berlin as it is today, and Berlin and the Berlin Wall during the Cold War. Listening to the 'Heroes' single from 1977, Bowie sings about two young lovers sitting on a bench by the Berlin Wall. Bowie later told in an interview that he couldn't understand why the couple had chosen such a grim place.
Bowie alters the story on 'Heroes,' now guns are firing over the couples heads: "I, I can remember standing by the wall, And the guns shot over our heads, And we kissed, as though nothing could fall." You wonder, whether the guns are real, and if the couple are trying to cross the Berlin Wall and escape the guards, or if the guns are a symbol of a dying relationship?
So, the Wall was already on Bowie's mind, in 1977, where 'Heroes' was released. Furthermore, there is a duality between the two songs texts, which gives 'Where Are We Now' an extra dimension; one could call it a unique historical perspective. On 'Heroes,' Bowie sings about a relationship that is doomed to fail by the circumstances of reality. However, the lovers pretend or dream that it will last forever, by ceasing the moment and forgetting about everything and 'kissing like nothing could fall,' acting like dramatic heroes.
The Berlin Wall is also a stark symbol of the Cold War and its inhumanity. East- and West Berliners' couldn't just visit each other, they ran the risk of getting shot if they tried to climb over the Berlin Wall.
On 'Where Are We Now,' Bowie also reflect on the Berlin Wall, however, from a historical perspective and based on his own experiences with Berlin in the 70s. Places that has become historical important landmarks for our understanding of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the closure of the Cold War, are mentioned.
Looking at the two album covers, the connection between the albums become even more obvious. The front cover from the 'Heroes' album is used on the new album. However, Bowie's face have been replaced with a white square and the album title: 'The Next Day.' Is it the aftermath of the 'Heroes' single or the Fall of the Berlin Wall? We will know more 12th March, where David Bowie's new album is released.
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Check out this preview of David Bowie's new album 'The Next Day' + the latest news on the album, or get more information on this Bowie blog.'
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