Andy Warhol
David Bowie
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Like to take a cement fix Be a standing cinema Dress my friends up just for show See them as they really are Put a peephole in my brain Two New Pence to have a go I'd like to be a gallery Put you all inside my show Andy Warhol looks a scream Hang him on my wall Andy Warhol, Silver Screen Can't tell them apart at all Andy walking, Andy tired Andy take a little snooze Tie him up when he's fast asleep Send him on a pleasant cruise When he wake up on the sea He sure to think of me and you He'll think about paint and he'll think about glue What a jolly boring thing to do Andy Warhol looks a scream Hang him on my wall Andy Warhol, Silver Screen Can't tell them apart at all Andy Warhol looks a scream Hang him on my wall Andy Warhol, Silver Screen Can't tell them apart at all
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, TINTORETTO MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
19 facts about this song
Artist Collaboration"Andy Warhol" is a song performed by both Dana Gillespie and David Bowie. Though they each produced their individual versions, Gillespie’s song was launched in 1971 and Bowie’s in 1972.
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Song TitleThe song is named after the famous artist Andy Warhol, who was one of the major figures of the pop art movement. Warhol was also a huge influence on David Bowie himself.
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Album InclusionBowie's version of "Andy Warhol" was included in his fourth studio album "Hunky Dory," considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
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Warhol's ReactionLegend has it that when Bowie played the song for Warhol, as a tribute, Warhol didn't seem particularly taken with it but instead showed more interest in Bowie’s shoes.
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Dana Gillespie’s VersionDana Gillespie originally recorded the song in 1971, for her album "Weren't Born a Man," but her version remained unreleased until 2007.
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Song CompositionThe song, unlike typical folk tunes, includes a unique percussive style of guitar playing known as flamenco ‘raking.’
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Song DurationDavid Bowie's version of the song runs for 3 minutes and 56 seconds, while Dana Gillespie's version runs for 3 minutes and 5 seconds.
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Bowie’s InspirationWhile writing this tribute, Bowie acknowledged his admiration for Warhol’s ability to play with the concept of fame and commercialization in the art world.
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Musical StyleBoth versions of "Andy Warhol" feature acoustic folk-style music with a subtle range of dynamics and timbres.
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LegacyEven after so many years, the song continues to be remembered and cherished, not just for its musicality but also for its tribute to Warhol's impact on pop culture.
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Song Creation"Andy Warhol" is a song written by English singer-songwriter David Bowie in 1971 for his fourth studio album, "Hunky Dory". A year later, Dana Gillespie released her own cover of the song on her album "Weren't Born a Man".
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Tribute & InspirationThe song is a tribute to the American pop artist, Andy Warhol, with whom Bowie had a fascination. David Bowie was heavily influenced by Warhol's work and it played a significant role in shaping Bowie's creative output.
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Song Style"Andy Warhol" is characterized by two acoustic guitars and Bowie's vocals, creating a folksy sound. This correlates with the stark acoustic setup often used by Warhol at The Factory, his New York City studio.
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'Wrong Name' IncidentThere is an incident in which Bowie misspoke Warhol's name (accentuating the 'War' rather than 'hol') during the meeting in 1971, creating an awkward atmosphere. Bowie references this in the intro to the song.
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Bowie's Acting RolesDavid Bowie again reverberated his admiration towards Andy Warhol in 1996, when he portrayed Warhol in the art-house movie "Basquiat".
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Use in Films"Andy Warhol" has been featured in a variety of films and television shows. In particular, it was used in the soundtrack of the movie "Christiane F." (1981), a German film about drug addiction.
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Cover by Dana GillespieAlthough David Bowie wrote "Andy Warhol", Dana Gillespie was the first to release it. Her version appeared on her album, "Weren't Born a Man", which was produced by Bowie and his longtime collaborator, Mick Ronson.
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Repetition of LinesThe last two verses of the song repeat the same lyrics with the exception of one line: "Can't tell them apart at all" becomes "And it scares me". This might signify Bowie's difficulties distinguishing between his own identity and the personality he has created, which was a theme he would explore in much of his work.
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Live VersionsThe original version of "Andy Warhol" can also be found on the compilation album "Bowie at the Beeb", while a live rendition performed at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1972 is included in "Live Santa Monica '72".
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Citation
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"Andy Warhol Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6949594/David+Bowie/Andy+Warhol>.
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