Love Is Lost

David Bowie's 'Love Is Lost' delves into the existential dread and disorientation that often accompany significant life changes. The song opens with a sense of foreboding, capturing the 'darkest hour' of a young person at twenty-two, a time often marked by uncertainty and the search for identity. The repetition of 'Love is lost, lost is love' underscores a cyclical feeling of despair and confusion, suggesting that the loss of love leads to a deeper existential void.

The lyrics paint a picture of a person in a new environment, surrounded by new friends, a new house, and even a new accent. Despite these external changes, the internal fear remains 'as old as the world.' This juxtaposition highlights the timeless nature of human anxiety and the struggle to find one's place in a constantly changing world. The line 'Say goodbye to the thrills of life' suggests a farewell to youthful innocence and the inevitable confrontation with life's harsher realities.

Bowie's reference to 'lunatic men' and the act of sharing secrets with them evokes a sense of vulnerability and the search for understanding in a world that often feels indifferent. The repeated question, 'Oh, what have you done?' serves as a haunting refrain, reflecting the internal turmoil and self-doubt that can arise when one feels lost. The song's melancholic tone and introspective lyrics resonate with anyone who has faced the daunting task of navigating life's uncertainties and the emotional toll it can take.