Five Years

David Bowie's 'Five Years' is a poignant and stirring track that serves as the opening song for his 1972 album 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.' The song sets a tone of urgency and existential dread, as it narrates a world that has just been informed it has only five years left before its end. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of chaos and emotional intensity, as people react to the news of the impending apocalypse. Bowie's portrayal of various characters and scenes captures the collective shock and the breakdown of societal norms in the face of such catastrophic news.

The song's narrative is delivered through a series of vignettes, showcasing human behavior in extreme circumstances. Bowie describes the overwhelming flood of images and experiences that fill his mind, symbolizing the sensory overload and the desperate attempt to hold onto memories in the limited time remaining. The contrasting descriptions of people ('fat-skinny,' 'tall-short,' 'nobody,' 'somebody') suggest a blurring of distinctions and a unifying sense of mortality. The surreal and sometimes disturbing imagery, such as a girl attacking children and a cop venerating a priest, underscores the breakdown of order and the rise of anarchy.

Bowie's 'Five Years' is not just a song about the end of the world; it's a reflection on the value of life and the connections we make with others. The repeated refrain 'We've got five years' drives home the urgency and the preciousness of time. It's a call to cherish every moment and to recognize the beauty in humanity, even as it faces its potential demise. The song remains a powerful and haunting reminder of our mortality and the importance of living fully in the present.