I think this is a very poetic song. It would seem the narrator is a European intellectual, and from the reference to 1910 being in the past, it has probably got something to do with World War One. I imagine an artist or composer or philosopher or actor who had many dreams when he was younger, and was in love with a girl, and listened to music he only vaguely liked "out of tune" being the give-away that he wasn't too fond of the music. but now, after getting back from the war, perhaps, or returning to the country he fled during the war... seeing how destroyed it is, he would give anything to relive the days with that girl again (who's left him, or died) and asks the rubber band to play a "haunting tune" and share his pain. Great song and great lyrics. I love this early British whimsical Bowie music.
I think this is a very poetic song. It would seem the narrator is a European intellectual, and from the reference to 1910 being in the past, it has probably got something to do with World War One. I imagine an artist or composer or philosopher or actor who had many dreams when he was younger, and was in love with a girl, and listened to music he only vaguely liked "out of tune" being the give-away that he wasn't too fond of the music. but now, after getting back from the war, perhaps, or returning to the country he fled during the war... seeing how destroyed it is, he would give anything to relive the days with that girl again (who's left him, or died) and asks the rubber band to play a "haunting tune" and share his pain. Great song and great lyrics. I love this early British whimsical Bowie music.