Teenage Wildlife
David Bowie
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Well, how come you only want tomorrow? With its promise of something hard to do A real-life adventure Worth more than pieces of gold Blue skies above, sun on your arms Strength in your stride and hope in those squeaky-clean eyes (Hope in those squeaky-clean eyes) You'll get chilly receptions everywhere you go Blinded with desire, I guess the season is on So you train by shadow boxing, search for the truth But it's all, but it's all used up Break open your million-dollar weapon and push your luck Still you push, still you push your luck A broken-nosed mogul are you One of the new-wave boys Same old thing in brand, new drag Comes sweeping into view, whoa, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe, hoe As ugly as a teenage millionaire Pretending it's a whizz-kid world You'll take me aside, and say "Well, David, what shall I do? They wait for me in the hallway" I'll say, "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways" But they move in numbers and they've got me in a corner I feel like a group of one No, no, they can't do this to me I'm not some piece of teenage wildlife (Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife Ooh, not some piece of teenage wildlife) Those midwives to history put on their bloody robes And the word is that the hunted one is out there on his own And you're alone for maybe the last time And you breathe for a long time Then you howl like a wolf in a trap and you daren't look behind You fall to the ground, like a leaf from a tree And look up, one time, at that vast blue sky Scream out of line as they shoot you down No, no, I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife (Ooh, not a piece teenage wildlife Ooh, not a piece of teenage wildlife) And no one will have seen and no one will confess The fingerprints will prove that you couldn't pass the test There'll be others on the line, filing past, who'll whisper low "I miss you," he really had to go Well, each to his own, he was another piece of teenage wildlife Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) 'Nother piece of teenage wildlife Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) 'Nother piece of teenage wildlife (Ooo, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) Wildlife (ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife) (Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife Ooh, 'nother piece of teenage wildlife)
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: DAVID BOWIE
Lyrics © TINTORETTO MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Release Details"Teenage Wildlife" is one of the songs from David Bowie's 14th studio album, "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)", released in September 1980.
|
Track LengthWith an impressive duration of almost seven minutes, "Teenage Wildlife" is the second longest track on the album.
|
Song ThemeMany Bowie experts suggest "Teenage Wildlife" can be seen as a reaction to the 'new wave' bands that Bowie influenced, and reflects on Bowie feeling like he's being left behind by younger artists.
|
Musical StyleThe song follows an art rock style, signifying Bowie's transition in his musical journey.
|
InstrumentationThe track is known for featuring Robert Fripp of King Crimson on lead guitar, his second collaboration with Bowie after "Heroes."
|
LyricismThe lyrics carry strong autobiographical hints, ostensibly describing Bowie's feelings about younger artists--the “teenage wildlife” of the title--overtaking him in popularity.
|
Song ReceptionDespite not being released as a single, "Teenage Wildlife" received critical acclaim, calling it one of the highlights of "Scary Monsters".
|
Album SuccessThe album "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" was very successful, reaching the top of the charts in UK and also peaking high in other countries. "Teenage Wildlife" contributed to its overall popularity.
|
ReissueThe song was reissued on Bowie's 2016 compilation album "Who Can I Be Now?" (1974–1976).
|
Connection with other songs"Teenage Wildlife" shares similar themes with Bowie's 1975 hit "Young Americans", and has been described as its sequel.
|
Live performancesDespite its popularity, "Teenage Wildlife" was rarely performed live by Bowie, the first known live performance was during the 1997 Earthling Tour.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Teenage Wildlife Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2573681/David+Bowie/Teenage+Wildlife>.
Discuss the Teenage Wildlife Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In