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
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