When Kanye West decides to pay humble tribute to another artist, you know that this artist really meant something to the world.
David Bowie, the man with a thousand faces, whose career spanned over 50 years and whose art and imagination outshone music and fashion, has sadly passed away. After he shot to fame with Space Oddity in 1969, David Bowie became a global superstar and a huge inspiration to many people from all horizons. Let us remember a few precious life lessons taught by one of the 20th century’s biggest music legends. The world will be a darker place without him.
1. Dress How You Like
David Bowie and his long-term partnership with Eley Kishimoto has resulted in some of the most spectacular stage costumes ever. To this day, David Bowie’s most fearless fashion moments and unapologetic gender bending has contributed greatly to opening up the general public to the LGBT community.
2. Be A Hero Just For One Day
We can’t be perfect everyday, but sometimes it’s good to bring out the ordinary hero in you: an act of kindness, a new style, an apology… you name it, there is no small achievement.
3. Let’s Dance
Stop sitting in the corner watching your life pass you by. Who cares what other people think? Let the haters judge, you’re too busy tapping your feet and enjoying the rhythm of life.
4. Embrace The Child In You
David Bowie loved children, and proved it time and time again through his charity work and the magic woven into his songs.
His vivid and youthful imagination captured the essence of childhood, demonstrated in lyrics from songs such as Space Oddity.
“This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in the most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
For here am I sitting in my tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do”
…and the introduction to British master piece “The Snowman”
5. Make Art – even if everyone else finds it ugly.
Looking at David Bowie in the early stages of his career, no one would have imagined he would become the world’s biggest glam rock icon.
In his words, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring”. Don’t ever withhold yourself from making the things you love. Someone somewhere will love them just as much as you.
6. Accept And Love The Oddballs And Eccentrics
“I’ve never responded well to entrenched negative thinking” … Enough said
(Those heels are incredible)
7. Always Keep An Element Of Surprise
Because you all thought Beyonce was the first and only one to bring out surprise albums… NOPE. Bowie released his album The Next Day, in March 2013, without any warning or publicity. Bowie always shied away from public appearances and awards ceremonies, and admitted to not being articulate… but his work speaks volumes by itself.
8. Be Yourself
In quotes:
“I re-invented my image so many times that I’m in denial that I was originally an overweight Korean woman.”
“Don’t let me hear you say life takes you nowhere.”
“I don’t have stylistic loyalty. That’s why people perceive me changing all the time. But there is a real continuity in my subject matter. As an artist of artifice, I do believe I have more integrity than any one of my contemporaries.”
“I’m not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a mortal with potential of a superman. I’m living on.”
Thank you Mr Bowie for a wonderful show.
Listen to David Bowie’s best of: http://www.deezer.com/playlist/1188894011
Cover picture designed by Alan Cloiseau: http://www.alancloiseau.com/
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