In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Valentine told me who's to go
Feelings he's treasured most of all
The teachers and the football stars
It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hand
Valentine sold his soul
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
The rhythm of the crowd
Teddy and Judy down
Valentine sees it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
Valentine told me how he feels
If all the world were under his heels
Or stumbling through the mall
It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hands
Valentine knows it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Valentine, Valentine
(Yeah)
(Woo, woo)
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hand
It's in his icy heart
It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hands
It's in his icy heart
It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine
Feelings he's treasured most of all
The teachers and the football stars
It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hand
Valentine sold his soul
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
The rhythm of the crowd
Teddy and Judy down
Valentine sees it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
Valentine told me how he feels
If all the world were under his heels
Or stumbling through the mall
It's in his tiny face
It's in his scrawny hands
Valentine knows it all
He's got something to say
It's Valentine's day
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Valentine, Valentine
(Yeah)
(Woo, woo)
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hand
It's in his icy heart
It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine
It's in his scrawny hands
It's in his icy heart
It's happening today
Valentine, Valentine
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Valentine's Day Lyrics as written by David Bowie
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think "it's in his tiny face" refers to a thumbnail image on a social network site like Facebook or something.
It's funny how something as tragic as a high school shooting can be sung in such an upbeat way.
"Valentine told me who's to go Feelings he treasured most of all The teachers and the football stars "
I assume it's about a troubled and very frustrated kid confessing to his best (and only) friend what's his plans are...and pointing out the future victims.
"It's in his tiny face It's in his scrawny hands Valentine sold his soul He's got something to say It's Valentine's day"
Well, we actually get to know how this boy is (short and skinny maybe?), he´s probably those kind of kids that would get bullied or ignored. Maybe that's why he resents the so called "football stars", he is not one of them. And he is gonna do something about it, carrying a gun and his fellow classmates lives in his hands.
"The rhythm of the crowd Benny and Judy down "
Are screams of horror music to his ears? His shot down his first victims.
"Valentine told me how he feels If all the world were under his heels Or stumbling through the mall "
Valentine might want to know how it feels to be successful or respected, it's his only fulfilling goal. Must have taken a lot of abuse from his classmates to get to this point. I don't really get the "stumbling through the mall" line.
"It's in his scrawny hands It's in his tiny heart It's happening today Valentine, Valentine"
Well, Valentine's heart must be the size of a pebble, he just exploded, he wouldn't mind tearing human lives apart, his tormented mind is a product of all the filth he's been fed-up with.
Sure, we can't know what's going on in these mass murderer's minds. Are they born crazy or has society made them crazy?
In the end, Bowie is nuts himself but handles it in a beautiful way.I hope that "The Next Day"will serve as inspiration to a new generation of musicians. Hell, this song is so good!
I'm thinking the 'stumbling through the mall' line relates to the many types of shooting locations there have been. Not all shooters go to the school. There have been theater shootings, mall shootings, high school shootings. Bowie is one to draw from different things that make up the soul of something.
I believe to to be nothing more than a misplaced m, and it should be 'stumbling through them all'
According to the producer (and bassist) Tony Visconti, the song is about a high school shooter.
Everything I have read says it was inspired by the Northern Illinois University shooting, which took place on April 14, 2008.
It is -- it took place on February 14th 2008
@compudude86 Ironically, this song can also be compared to the Valentine's day shooting in 2018.
@compudude86 Ironically, this song can also be compared to the Valentine's day shooting in 2018.
@compudude86 Ironically, this song can also be compared to the Valentine's day shooting in 2018.
@compudude86 Ironically, this song can also be compared to the Valentine's day shooting in 2018.
All true, I guess, but like all great art, it seems to change and adapt as reality evolves: how appropriate this song is now (May 2014) after the S California rampage of the young guy who posted youtube manifestos of his 'rejection as a virgin' and detailed exactly 'who's to go' from his BMW...
I feel the main point of this song is missed, It (to me) is about "Bullying", and the ramifications of it. when shooting occur, all people hear is the body count, the "deranged shooter" and so on.. NO ONE tries to understand the mental state of the aggressor in this song, it is apparent that "Valentine" has been berated, and abused, at school, and the teachers have turned a blind eye to his torment. the reference to the mall could be that there would be more of his intended victims there, on a certain day. not aware of his "plans" In either respect, "gun control" has little to do with it. the only "gun control" needed, is making sure someone knows how to hit what they aim at.
@RonnieDean I realize you wrote years ago, but your take seems to fit mine. The topic no one wants to address is why these shooters are, with some kind of logic, lashing out against greater society. (Chris McCandless aka Alex Supertramp just went off into the wild of Alaska, but he may have faced similar torment in life.) The why is because of our own fault, people shut out people, many times unfairly. If corporations/society/people could put a check on greed and "good values" became important again, possibly young shooters would believe in future success and, when at their personal limit of tolerance, not resort to anger. Valentine has something to say, but no one will listen.
The lyrics here are a little out. Its 'Valentine told me so', not 'Valentine sold his soul', and its 'Teddy' not 'Benny'. Pedantic me.
One of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. It seems most school shooters are lonely boys. I love the sweet sad look in Bowie's eyes as he sings 'feelings he's treasured most of all'. He shows sadness for the boy and real pain over the horror Valentine is going to unleash and then it evolves into anger, impotent anger. Brilliant moving song. We need to look after each other better.. and notice our Valentines.