Oh, yeah
Mmm

Still don't know what I was waitin' for
And my time was runnin' wild
A million dead end streets and
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
How the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
There's gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

Mmm, yeah

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don't tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Where's your shame?
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascinations fascinate me
Ah, changes are taking
The pace I'm goin' through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Ooh, look out, you rock 'n' rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you're gonna get older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time


Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit, edited by vigorousj

Changes Lyrics as written by David Bowie

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Changes song meanings
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71 Comments

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  • +9
    General Commenta fun thing to do with this song. play it in your car, roll down all the windows and when the refrain starts (ch-ch-ch-changes!) turn the volume all the way up and freak some people out with your crazy david bowie songage.
    weezerific:cutleryon April 27, 2003   Link
  • +7
    General CommentWhy would people make fun of you for loving this song? It kicks ass. Oh, I guess it's not cool to like anything but fucking Good Charlotte or some shit.
    aphekqson May 09, 2003   Link
  • +7
    General CommentThis is one hell of an amazing song, because you can change the chorus to remind you of things to have to do that we -- seriously!
    "Tu-tu-tu-tu-TUESDAY!
    (Time for Driver's Ed)
    Tu-tu-TUESDAY!
    Don't forget to use the turn signal!"
    KattHikarioftheTurkson April 12, 2004   Link
  • +6
    General CommentI think it's either about the changes that take place all through life (doh. I know I'm Captain Obvious) or, Bowie's continuously changing style.

    "A million dead-end streets and
    Every time I thought I’d got it made
    It seemed the taste was not so sweet
    So I turned myself to face me
    But I’ve never caught a glimpse
    Of how the others must see the faker"

    He's been through lots of styles of music where some fans have deserted him and it seemed like he had it down, but then it just didn't feel right. Then, he looks at himself, and still doens't see why some people don't like his music. Read this along with the original lyrics, it's easier to understand like that.

    The rest of it is, in my (possibly incorrect) opinion, just about changes at different stages of life - the minds of teenagers and young adults changing, his own mind changing, etc. And then at the end, he warns other stars (rock 'n rollers) that they'll get older soon, and their styles may change.

    Anyone agree or have constructive criticism? It's one of my first song analysis(es?) and I'd like to know if I've done well or not. Please don't flame, just tell me what your opinion is if it's close or way far away from mine.
    Bowies_Eyepatchon February 16, 2008   Link
  • +5
    General CommentThis is one of my all time favorite songs. I don't hear it on the radio enough. Course I've got Hunky Dory and all the great Bowie albums of the 70's. I find it disturbing that I never see a David Bowie T-shirt at Hot Topic, Spencers, etc... By all rights Bowie should be as popular to teenagers today as Led Zeppelin is. He is one of (if not, theee) most influential artists of the 70's. In an odd way he is sort of underrated, even though he is a superstar and one of the most prolific, dynamic artists ever. He's kind of famous for his less ambitious era: the 80's (not unlike the band Genesis). I recently mentioned Bowie to a 20 something cousin of mine. He said, "David Bowie? Isn't he the guy who did that song Let's Dance?" I responded, "No, he's the guy who is responsible for inventing several musical genres and having one of the most amazingly diverse careers in all of music history. But yeah he did do the song Let's dance."
    nuttinbutnateon July 20, 2008   Link
  • +4
    General Commentwonderful song, and timeless. I think it's about growing up and doing wild things, but you don't really have time to watch or notice what you're doing, or it doesn't occur to you. then when you're older you're upset about the youth that does the same thing that you once did. And also, that you have no control over it, no matter what you do. The cool thing is...it's usually a negative subject, but he just points out the irony with a bit of underlying humor..to hell what I think though, it's an awesome song....
    highlydubiouson February 27, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General CommentAnd these children that you spit on
    As they try to change their worlds
    Are immune to your consultations
    They’re quite aware of what they’re going through

    Children just want to be taught and have someone take an interest in their interests. They want to know that those teaching them have their best interest and their families best interests at heart. Unfortunately that isn't always the case. Some adults can be involved with their own stupid and petty agendas and therefore lack pure motives. Why are they even in the positions they are? Good question right? The children are aware though because the have an uncanny knack of being able to see through what is fake and what is real.
    Arachidamiaon February 15, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Commentthis was our schools class song, my friends and I have always loved it but i've never really known what it was about...anyways the rest of my classmates complained constantly abouth having this as our class song they wanted nickleback...ecck no taste so I always associate this song with my senior year (last year) and it makes me happy whenever I hear it knowing that my group won one tiny high school victory in an area that is important to all of us-music!
    mcooneyon January 31, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentYeah... I know that the lyric is SUPPOSED to be "strain" (I've seen it in the booklet too), but he DEFINITELY says "strange" every single time. Listen closely.
    majestikmoose9on December 11, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Commentsaturnalia9 actually, if you listen carefully he says "Turn and face the strange changes" the "ge" is very faint but with the volume up you can hear it.
    Topchrison December 13, 2005   Link

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