Loving the Alien

David Bowie

About Loving the Alien

"Loving the Alien" is a song written and recorded by David Bowie. It was the opening track to his sixteenth studio album Tonight. One of two tracks on the album written solely by Bowie, an edited version of the song was released as a single in May 1985, nine months after the release of lead single "Blue Jean" and eight months after the release of the album. "Loving the Alien" peaked at No. 19 in the UK Singles Chart. The song explored Bowie's "intense dislike" of organized religion. "Loving the Alien" inspired the title of Christopher Sandford's 1997 biography of Bowie and the 2018 Bowie box set release, Loving The Alien (1983-1988). 


Year:
1989
7:07
94 
#1

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Watching them come and go
The templars and the saracens
They're traveling the holy land
Opening telegrams

Torture comes and torture goes
Knights who'd give you anything
They bear the cross of coeuf de leon
Salvation for the mirror blind

But if you pray all your sins are hooked upon the sky
Pray and the heathen lie will disappear
Prayers they hide the saddest view
(Believing the strangest things, loving the alien)
And your prayers they break the sky in two
(Believing the strangest things, loving the alien)
You pray til the break of dawn
(Believing the strangest things, loving the alien)
And you'll believe you're loving the alien
(Believing the strangest things, loving the alien)

Thinking of a different time
Palestine a modern problem
Bounty and your wealth in land
Terror in a best laid plan

Watching them come and go
Tomorrows and the yesterdays
Christians and the unbelievers
Hanging by the cross and nail

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David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known by his stage name David Bowie ( /ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee), was an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and considerable eclecticism of his work. more »

30 fans

Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics © TINTORETTO MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Loving the Alien" was released in 1985 as a single from David Bowie's album "Tonight".
Chart Success
Although the song wasn't a significant hit in most countries, it reached number 19 in Belgium and number 27 on the UK Singles Chart.
Critical Reception
Despite mixed reviews for the album "Tonight", many critics and fans appreciated the depth and uniqueness of "Loving the Alien". Over the years, it has been regarded as one of Bowie's underappreciated gems from his career.
Lyrics Interpretation
The song's lyrics are a critique of organized religion, particularly warfare that is justified through religious beliefs.
Music Video
The accompanying music video for the song, directed by David Mallet, won the Best Video award at the 1985 British Video Awards.
Re-working of the Song
In the late 90s, Bowie admitted his dissatisfaction with the original 80s version of the song. He released a stripped-down version of "Loving the Alien" in 2000 for his "Bowie at the Beeb" album.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by various artists, notably by the UK band The Scissor Sisters, who released their version as a B-side to their 2004 single "Laura".
Use in Popular Culture
"Loving the Alien" has been used in several pop culture contexts. It featured in the soundtrack of the 2013 videogame "Aliens: Colonial Marines".
Musical Style and Influences
The song's music blends elements of pop, rock, and new wave. It showcases Bowie's versatility as a musician and his ability to combine different genres.
Live Performances
Bowie performed the song live during two of his tours - The Glass Spider Tour (1987) and A Reality Tour (2003–2004). This song was also featured in the 1987 concert film "Glass Spider".

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