The Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie cover) Lyrics

Lyric discussion by sbloom 

Cover art for The Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie cover) lyrics by Nirvana

The song gives 2 examples of people that sold the world (ie lead an empty life):

  1. An old acquaintance that never got close to anyone
  2. and me who was worried about appearances and material objects

1.The old acquaintance:

We passed upon the stairs, --I saw an old acquaintance--

We spoke of was and when --we started talking about old times--

Although I wasnt there --I didn't think so,--

He said I was his friend --but he thought we were friends--

Which came as a surprise --I didn't think we were very good friends, but he did--

I spoke into his eyes -- I thought you died alone A long long time ago --He could tell I didn't remember him as a friend and more of a loner--

Oh no, not me, We never lost control, --He tries denying the fact that he never got close to anyone--

Youre face to face, With the man who sold the world --Your looking at an example of someone that sold the world--


  1. Me:

I laughed and shook his hand, --I said goodbye,--

I made my way back home, --and went on my way--

I searched for form and land, --I cared about outward appearances and property--

Years and years I roamed, --my whole life I spent looking for these material things--

I gazed a gazely stare, --I finally realized that form and land isn’t everything--

We walked a million hills -- I must have died alone, A long long time ago. --I didn’t realize it until now, but I wasted my life in search of these things--

Who knows, not me, I never lost control, --I try denying that I wasted my life and neglected the important things--

Youre face, to face, With the man who sold the world. --Your looking at another example of someone that sold the world--

This makes sense =)