The Bowie Book Club discussion

Since this group focus on the books that Bowie loved and inspired him, throughout the readings I am constantly trying to find links between the writing styles and how they could have an effect on his own work.

We talked about it a few times already in other threads, but I wanted to open this one so we can discuss in a deeper perspective Bowie's lyrics and his work as a songwriter.

Famously David used William S. Burroughs cut up technique on some of his songs.

Here he is explaining how he does it (this is from the BBC documentary Cracked Actor in which our man is at his most Coke addled and you can see in this video, he doesn't even bother to hide the lines on the table, anyway, I digress). It's quite an interesting technique....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1InC...

Are there any books by William S. Burroughs in the list? I'd half expect to see Naked Lunch or perhaps Junky

Nigeyb wrote: "Famously David used William S. Burroughs cut up technique on some of his songs.

Here he is explaining how he does it (this is from the BBC documentary Cracked Actor in which our m..."

On his top 100 there is none... We added The Third Mind, Junky and The Wild Boys to the group bookshelf because Bowie referenced to this in interviews (you can check the bookshelf here (https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...)

Thanks Lidiana.


There's a wealth of interesting stuff in this article about Bowie's occult influences...

http://www.parareligion.ch/bowie.htm

^ Some of the books mentioned could easily be included on the list - though I am not sure I'd personally want to read the more esoteric titles. Vaguely influenced by DB, I did very recently read an interesting biography of Aleister Crowley...

Aleister Crowley: Magick, Rock and Roll, and the Wickedest Man in the World by Gary Lachman

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks Lidiana.


There's a wealth of interesting stuff in this article about Bowie's occult influences...

http://www.parareligion.ch/bowie.htm

^ Some of the books mentioned could easily be inclu..."

This is a very interesting article, Nigeyb. I had seen it before and all this occultist theories are something I find quite intriguing. Nonetheless, as you said yourself, I feel like readings about the topic are a far stretch... That's why we kept the books on the bookshelf as the ones that were referenced explicitly by Bowie, so I don't think these occultist titles would make the cut either way :)

^ I think you're right there Lidiana - although, according to the writer, quite a few seem to direct influence his lyrics, which is how you introduced the thread. So, whilst not for the list, they might be worth a bit of discussion here, on this thread.

Nigeyb wrote: "^ I think you're right there Lidiana - although, according to the writer, quite a few seem to direct influence his lyrics, which is how you introduced the thread. So, whilst not for the list, they ..."

I couldn't agree more... Sorry if it sounded as if I was dismissing the discussion. Not my intention at all.

Nigeyb wrote: "Famously David used William S. Burroughs cut up technique on some of his songs.

Here he is explaining how he does it (this is from the BBC documentary Cracked Actor in which our m..."

Btw... Some of the comments that were made about Bowie + Burroughs can be found here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks Lidiana. I didn't think you were dismissing the discussion - but thanks for being so considerate anyway

And thanks for the link too, some good discussion in there

Do you have any favorite lyrics? It can be from an artistic point of view or just personal...

I love loads of Hunky Dory (the first Bowie album I ever owned) especially Quicksand and Life On Mars. Aladdin Sane is full of wonderful words too. I'll have a proper think.

What about you?

Nigeyb wrote: "I love loads of Hunky Dory (the first Bowie album I ever owned) especially Quicksand and Life On Mars. Aladdin Sane is full of wonderful words too. I'll have a proper think.

What about you?"

I'll never get over the impact Life On Mars had on me when I was 9 years old and my brother gave me the lyrics... I think it is a masterpiece...

Personally, Quicksand, Five Years and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide have a great impact on me every time I hear them. Those lyrics that make me stop everything I am doing to just listen to them...

About how Lazarus (the musical) came to life: http://www.gq.com/story/david-bowie-m...

That was a fantastic article! Now I'm gonna put some Cunningham on my To Read list:)

Thank you!

Oh wow, thank you! That's made my day, what an amazing read. Michael Cunningham is one of my all-time favourite authors! The Hours is beautiful and I really loved The Snow Queen too.