"Watch That Man" was inspired by a wild New York hotel party during the first US Ziggy tour, and "Vile Bodies" by Evelyn Waugh "; a book Bowie was reading at the time about fickle aristocratic socialites suddenly faced with apocalypse.
The narrative is told through the eyes of our blase' party participant (Bowie), for whom even the most outrageous stuff is "so-so". Eventually, he begins to realize the rediculousness of his scene, and signs of the impending catastrophe, albeit through hazy, substance induced visions.
"Shakey" (who is either Bowie, Defries, or some other person in charge, I can't tell...), is making sure everyone is having a good time, and probably coked up (has the shakes, twitchy, etc).
"Watch that man!" is what people at the party are whispering about Bowie..."He talks like a jerk" (Bowie is known for his aloof, distant manner) "but he could eat you with a fork and spoon" (he IS kind of the mack daddy of the universe...)
"I was shaking like a leaf" (effects of the coke, and fear of the impending apocalypse), "but I couldn't understand the conversation" (effects of the coke, and final disassociation from the nonsense these shallow people are still concerned with) "I ran to the street, looking for information" (Is this really the end of the world? I'm outta here!)
Personally, I listen to this song any time before picking up girls, or getting ready to party ;)
"Watch That Man" was inspired by a wild New York hotel party during the first US Ziggy tour, and "Vile Bodies" by Evelyn Waugh "; a book Bowie was reading at the time about fickle aristocratic socialites suddenly faced with apocalypse.
The narrative is told through the eyes of our blase' party participant (Bowie), for whom even the most outrageous stuff is "so-so". Eventually, he begins to realize the rediculousness of his scene, and signs of the impending catastrophe, albeit through hazy, substance induced visions.
"Shakey" (who is either Bowie, Defries, or some other person in charge, I can't tell...), is making sure everyone is having a good time, and probably coked up (has the shakes, twitchy, etc).
"Watch that man!" is what people at the party are whispering about Bowie..."He talks like a jerk" (Bowie is known for his aloof, distant manner) "but he could eat you with a fork and spoon" (he IS kind of the mack daddy of the universe...)
"I was shaking like a leaf" (effects of the coke, and fear of the impending apocalypse), "but I couldn't understand the conversation" (effects of the coke, and final disassociation from the nonsense these shallow people are still concerned with) "I ran to the street, looking for information" (Is this really the end of the world? I'm outta here!)
Personally, I listen to this song any time before picking up girls, or getting ready to party ;)
mack daddy? Bowie is no mack daddy. He's the emperor. Emperor of all rock stars. All hail the Thin White Emperor
mack daddy? Bowie is no mack daddy. He's the emperor. Emperor of all rock stars. All hail the Thin White Emperor