Black Country Rock

Art is always susceptible of a multitude of interpretations, but "black" music (as soul, gospel, blues, jazz, r&b, etc. were once referred to), "country", and "rock" were, roughly, the categorical divisions of English-speaking popular music at the time Bowie was writing this song. They also represented divisions in society that sorely needed, and arguably still need bridging. On one level, then, I have always taken it to be an ode to pop music and it's place in the culture, which, although not as formal or sophisticated as some other types of discourse, still offers a more or less level playing field for people to come together to experience and appreciate each other's creativity

black country = mind? thats pretty convincing, but what exactly gives you that idea? and how is it a tribute to Marc Bolan?

BLACK COUNTRY ROCK.LED ZEPPELIN,BLACK SABBATH, FROM THE BLACK COUNTRY, WEST MIDLANDS.

I think this song is the comic relief on TMWSTW. 'Nuff said.

As they say over here in the Black Country (west of Birmingham, UK) yow'm all saft!

I believe this was a tribute to Marc Bolan

This song is about drugs. Black rock is a slang name for crack cocaine. Bowie did a lot of cocaine. By using the term "black country rock" and "up here" Bowie conjures images of a mountain. He's equating getting high on cocaine with taking a trip to black country rock. The lyrics "you never know, you might find it here" refer to the mind opening experience of getting high and the experience you have while being high. The line "if it's much too hazy" refers to the clouded state of mind that drugs cause. The last two lines refer to those who simply aren't into drugs and don't like them, to whom Bowie's advice is to leave him and his high friend alone to experience it themselves if you aren't up for such an experience.

black country = mind rock = center

meditate enough and you'll get some fortuitious developments that may view as crazy but you may adopt another point of view. Doesn't anyone pay attention to what the man did in his free time? He was an occult/magic/yoga FREAK!!! Nay, Aspirant.