Gold Dust Woman

I think overall this is about a woman with a strong, tough exterior (likely a rock star) who may be self-destructive and often feels lost. She has been hurt before, and perhaps feels lost. Also, she does not let on that she feels this way beneath all the the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. A break down of the lyrics:

Rock on gold dust woman Take your silver spoon Dig your grave

-"Gold dust woman" leads me to believe the obvious drug reference; about a woman who lives in the fast lane. "Dig your grave," meaning it can lead to a downward spiral and that she is going down that path.

Heartless challenge Pick your path and I'll pray

*A little ambiguous, but she must pick her path that she'll make choices moving forward that will not lead to death since her life is plagued with darkness where she is trying to mask this with drugs and sex to fill a void. Eventually, it catches up with you.

Wake up in the morning See your sunrise loves to go down Lousy lovers pick their prey But they never cry out loud Cry out

*This has something to do with waking up in the morning and facing the aftermath of the night before and how the cycle repeats itself (the sunrise loves to go down). The second part about lousy lovers: I think she is referring to how she has a lot of sex where there is nothing else to it- just sex. She wants more for herself, but she's broken. They don't cry at night, but she does.

Did she make you cry Make you break down Shatter your illusions of love And is it over now do you know how Pick up the pieces and go home.

-She's turning it around on the lovers, meaning she didn't make them cry or break down, but she has, and her view of love is shattered. When a night is over with one of her lovers, she often does not know how to pick up the pieces since she is unfulfilled. Maybe someone she was in love with hurt her in the past, and the meaningless sex is only a "quick fix." She is bitter, and does not know if she can trust again.

Rock on ancient queen Follow those who pale In your shadow

-Perhaps if she is a rock star, she is referring to her followers. Or if she is a groupie, she is looking up to other rock star women who have led this lifestyle who have been in her shoes.

Rulers make bad lovers You better put your kingdom up for sale Up for sale

-When she feels a lover is controlling her emotions, she knows they are no good for her. She knows she shouldn't be involved with certain people and they need to put their "kingdown up for sale" and move on.

Pale Shadow Of a woman Black widow Pale Shadow Of a dragon Dust woman

*I think the "shadow" reference paints a story about her past haunting to her. In fact, it is a very haunting, beautiful song. The shadow of a dragon reference may refer to drugs and the black widow may refer to herself...not necessarily a widow, but a scorned woman. This is just my two cents! Love this song.