The hand that wrote this letter
Sweeps the pillow clean
So rest your head and read a treasured dream
I care for no one else but you
I tear my soul to cease the pain
I think maybe you feel the same
What can we do?
I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I've been writing just for you

They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
You cry a little in the dark
Well so do I
I'm not quite sure what you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay

He makes you laugh
He brings you out in style
He treats you well
And makes you up real fine
And when he's strong
He's strong for you
And when you kiss
It's something new
But did you ever call my name
Just by mistake?
I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you


Lyrics submitted by saturnine

Letter to Hermione Lyrics as written by David Bowie

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Letter to Hermione song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    This beautiful and haunting Bowie song is about David's first ever girlfriend, Hermoine Farthingale. Both this song and Occasional Dream are related to his break up with Hermoine in early 1969.

    kymson March 28, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    ...stares at stephiepoo in disbelief how can you equate a song THIS amazing to harry potter? shudders

    bruisevioleton November 07, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    people can seem fine from an outsiders perspective but people who really know them know that somethings not okay. david bowie is so beautiful. "did you ever call my name, just by mistake?" so. good.

    prettybabyon November 18, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    hahahah, I thought of harry potter when I first heard it too. Bowie comes first in my book but theres nothing wrong with mr potter

    laocoonon February 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    Memory

    Thanks, Ricky Gervais.

    Banana Republicon June 27, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Beautiful song. When I first heard it I didn't know/think it was about a breakup. I thought it was about a woman who's in a relationship she doesn't want to be in, but she can't escape from it... I think a lot of songs are about abusive relationships, though, so don't mind it.

    EnduringChillon March 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Beautiful piece of music from a beautiful and talented fellow. It is about Bowie's painful parting with his first sweetheart

    CuteSparkinaon November 04, 2008   Link
  • -4
    General Comment

    It's obviously related to a break up. There's a bit of a secondary meaning in it to me. I visualize a scene here with Ron Weasley writing a letter to Hermione Granger. He's upset beacuse Hermione has chosen Harry over him. It's easy to see if you're into the fandom as much as I am. Of course we all know nothing like this would ever happen in the series!

    stephiepooon April 08, 2005   Link

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