Bowie's Bookshelf

1. David Bowie: A Literary Polymath with Eclectic Tastes

"We tend to forget that David Bowie read as much as he did anything else."

Voracious reader. David Bowie was not just a musical innovator but also a literary enthusiast with an insatiable appetite for books. His reading habits were as diverse and eclectic as his musical style, spanning genres from classic literature to obscure philosophical texts.

Intellectual foundation. This broad literary knowledge formed the intellectual foundation for much of Bowie's artistic output. He drew inspiration from a wide array of sources, incorporating themes, characters, and ideas from literature into his music, visual aesthetics, and performances.

Cultural synthesis. Bowie's ability to synthesize various cultural elements, including literature, set him apart as a uniquely well-rounded artist. His reading list, which included works by authors such as George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and Vladimir Nabokov, reflects a deep engagement with themes of identity, power, and the human condition that consistently appeared in his music and public persona.

2. The Beat Generation's Profound Influence on Bowie's Artistry

"On the Road is about freedom, escape, spontaneity, and creativity (and drugs and sex); the possibility of America, or at least an ideal of America that matched the teeming, multifarious America of Bowie's childhood imagination."

Beat aesthetic. The Beat Generation writers, particularly Jack Kerouac, had a significant impact on Bowie's artistic development. Their emphasis on spontaneity, non-conformity, and exploration of altered states of consciousness resonated deeply with Bowie's approach to creativity.

American mythos. Bowie's fascination with America, as portrayed in Beat literature, influenced his musical and visual representations of the country. This idealized, often contradictory vision of America became a recurring theme in his work, particularly evident in albums like "Young Americans" and "Diamond Dogs."

Creative methodology. The Beats' experimental writing techniques, such as Kerouac's "spontaneous prose" and William S. Burroughs' cut-up method, directly influenced Bowie's songwriting process. He often employed similar techniques to generate lyrics and create unexpected juxtapositions of ideas and images in his music.

3. Bowie's Fascination with Identity, Alienation, and the Outsider

"Bowie's interest in Japanese culture—stoked by his old mime tutor Lindsay Kemp, who used contemporary Japanese music by composer Toru Takemitsu in his dance classes—had exploded into Japanophilia by the time he toured the country in spring 1973, as if he'd suddenly noticed Japan's vast potential as a metaphor for alienness."

Outsider perspective. Bowie consistently explored themes of alienation and otherness in his work, drawing inspiration from literary characters and real-life figures who existed on the fringes of society.

Cultural appropriation. His fascination with different cultures, particularly Japanese culture, allowed him to incorporate elements of "otherness" into his performances and personas. This interest in the exotic and unfamiliar became a key component of his artistic identity.

Multiple personas. Bowie's creation of various alter egos, such as Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, was influenced by literary works that dealt with fractured identities and the fluidity of self. These personas allowed him to explore different aspects of identity and challenge societal norms.

4. The Intersection of Music, Literature, and Visual Arts in Bowie's Work

"Bowie's creative method was particular and, until his imitators caught up with him, unusual for a pop musician. It involved opening himself wide to every possible influence. Not just other music but—and this is what marked him out—anything in any medium that might serve his vision."

Multimedia approach. Bowie's artistry was characterized by a synthesis of various art forms. He seamlessly integrated elements from literature, visual arts, and theater into his music and performances.

Visual storytelling. Influenced by authors like Anthony Burgess and filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Bowie created rich visual narratives to accompany his music. Album covers, music videos, and stage performances were all carefully crafted to enhance the storytelling aspect of his songs.

Artistic collaborations. Throughout his career, Bowie collaborated with various artists, writers, and musicians, creating a network of creative exchange that continually pushed the boundaries of his art. These collaborations often resulted in unique projects that blended different artistic disciplines.

5. Bowie's Exploration of Dystopian Themes and Social Commentary

"Bowie's interest in Japanese culture—stoked by his old mime tutor Lindsay Kemp, who used contemporary Japanese music by composer Toru Takemitsu in his dance classes—had exploded into Japanophilia by the time he toured the country in spring 1973, as if he'd suddenly noticed Japan's vast potential as a metaphor for alienness."

Dystopian visions. Influenced by novels like George Orwell's "1984" and Anthony Burgess's "A Clockwork Orange," Bowie frequently incorporated dystopian themes into his music. Albums like "Diamond Dogs" and "Outside" present dark visions of future societies.

Social critique. Bowie used his art to comment on contemporary social issues, often drawing parallels between fictional dystopias and real-world problems. His work frequently addressed themes of authoritarianism, technology, and the loss of individuality.

Futurism and nostalgia. Bowie's art often juxtaposed futuristic elements with nostalgic references, creating a unique temporal tension. This approach allowed him to comment on both the past and potential futures of society.

6. The Role of Occult and Esoteric Knowledge in Bowie's Creative Process

"Bowie's creative method was particular and, until his imitators caught up with him, unusual for a pop musician. It involved opening himself wide to every possible influence. Not just other music but—and this is what marked him out—anything in any medium that might serve his vision."

Occult influences. Bowie's interest in esoteric knowledge, including Aleister Crowley's writings and Tibetan Buddhism, informed much of his work, particularly during the 1970s. This fascination with the occult added layers of mystique and symbolism to his music and personas.

Symbolic imagery. Drawing from various occult traditions, Bowie incorporated symbolic imagery into his album art, stage designs, and lyrics. This use of esoteric symbolism added depth and mystery to his work, inviting multiple interpretations.

Spiritual exploration. Bowie's engagement with different spiritual and philosophical traditions reflected his ongoing quest for meaning and understanding. This spiritual journey was often reflected in his music, particularly in albums like "Station to Station" and "Blackstar."

7. Bowie's Engagement with Race, Sexuality, and Gender in Literature and Music

"Bowie's attraction to dystopian fables was driven in part by nostalgia for his childhood in postwar Brixton, hazy but potent memories of ruined houses and bomb sites covered in buddleia."

Racial dynamics. Bowie's interest in African American music and literature, as well as his collaborations with black artists, reflected his engagement with racial issues. His work often explored the complexities of racial identity and cultural exchange.

Sexual fluidity. Influenced by writers like Christopher Isherwood and Jean Genet, Bowie challenged traditional notions of sexuality and gender in his music and public persona. His open bisexuality and androgynous appearance were groundbreaking for the time.

Gender performance. Drawing from literary and theatrical traditions, Bowie explored the performative aspects of gender through his various personas and stage presentations. This exploration of gender fluidity was a central aspect of his artistic identity.

8. The Impact of Berlin and Other Cities on Bowie's Artistic Evolution

"Berlin in the 1920s was a city in flux. A series of political and economic crises, especially hyperinflation—in November 1923 the cost of a loaf of bread rose to 200,000 million marks—triggered an upsurge in crime, prostitution, and anti-Semitism. At the same time, these crises ushered in a period of intense cultural and scholarly activity that seemed to feed off the atmosphere of polymorphous sexual ferment for which Berlin's bars and cabarets became notorious."

Berlin trilogy. Bowie's time in Berlin in the late 1970s resulted in three seminal albums: "Low," "Heroes," and "Lodger." This period was heavily influenced by the city's history and atmosphere, as well as the works of German expressionist artists and Weimar-era writers.

Urban landscapes. Throughout his career, Bowie drew inspiration from various cities, including London, New York, and Los Angeles. Each city left its mark on his work, influencing both the sound and themes of his music.

Cultural synthesis. Bowie's ability to absorb and synthesize different cultural influences from the cities he inhabited was a key aspect of his artistic evolution. This cultural fluidity allowed him to continually reinvent himself and his music.

9. Bowie's Interest in the Psychology of Fame and Celebrity Culture

"Bowie liked reading about himself, so he would have loved that he crops up in the book, compared in his 'neutered' extraterrestrial guise (circa The Man Who Fell to Earth) to 'leering elf' Aubrey Beardsley and to a mannequin android in what Paglia calls his 'transvestite period'—presumably the skeletal Young Americans years, though this seems an odd way to describe them."

Fame as subject. Bowie frequently explored the psychological effects of fame in his work, drawing from literary sources that examined celebrity culture and its impact on identity.

Media manipulation. Influenced by writers like J.G. Ballard and Andy Warhol, Bowie was acutely aware of the power of media and image in shaping public perception. He often played with these concepts in his music and public appearances.

Persona creation. Bowie's creation of various alter egos can be seen as a response to the pressures and expectations of fame. These personas allowed him to explore different aspects of celebrity while maintaining a degree of personal distance.

Last updated: August 18, 2024