We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes "I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago"

Oh no, not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years, I roamed
I gazed a gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long, long time ago

Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world


Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit, edited by Attap, BillIamBillIam, LukasKlein, smigon

The Man Who Sold The World Lyrics as written by David Bowie

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

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The Man Who Sold the World song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    I agree that the song's meaning is in line with the theme of the album of an alien super-race. But I also think that there is a more indirect meaning involving people who are lost and trying to find who they are and what their purpose is. For instance, he makes his way home and roams for years in foreign land but never actually makes it home. There's is also a kind of sarcastic, "in denial" element to the chorus "oh no, not me, i never lost control" after which he laughs and also the "who knows, not me" which i really think says it all. It's intended to be dreamy and vague, kind of a wandering journey with no clear meaning. A good allegory for life in general.

    TKallionzon May 25, 2010   Link

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