Rock 'N' Roll Suicide

David Bowie's 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide' is a song that captures the essence of despair and the yearning for connection. The opening lines, which personify time as a smoker, suggest the inevitability of aging and the weariness that comes with the passage of time. The cigarette becomes a metaphor for life itself, something that is consumed until it burns out. Bowie's lyrics speak to the loneliness and isolation that can accompany the rock and roll lifestyle, or any path where one feels out of step with the rest of society.

The chorus, 'You're a rock 'n' roll suicide,' serves as a stark reminder of the potential self-destructive path of a musician's life, particularly in the glam rock era of the 1970s when excess and hedonism were rampant. The song's protagonist seems caught between the inability to let go of youth ('too old to lose it') and the paralysis of not being able to fully commit to life's choices ('too young to choose it'). The imagery of walking past a café but not eating symbolizes a disconnection from the simple, sustaining aspects of life.

However, the song ultimately shifts from despair to a message of solidarity and hope. The repeated cries of 'You're not alone!' and the offer of a helping hand transform the song into an anthem of companionship and support. Bowie reaches out to the listener, offering empathy and understanding, and encouraging a sense of community among those who feel alienated. The song's conclusion is a powerful call to embrace life and each other, despite the pain and struggles one might face.