“sons of the silent age” = the love that dare not speak its name.
“stand on platforms, blank looks and note books”
In Isherwood’s Berlin Stories “Mr. Norris Changes Trains” begins on a train platform with “blank looks” and notebooks. Bowie was in Berlin when he wrote the song.
“sit in back rows of civil limits”
Marginalization of civil rights.
“lay in bed coming and going on easy terms”
Promiscuity
“Sons of the silent age”
The love that dare not speak its name
“pace their rooms like a cell’s dimension”
Marginalization of civil rights. Literally, a jail cell.
In 1977, homosexuality was ILLEGAL in numerous countries.
“rise for a year or two then make war”
Incipient political agitation, aka Gay Liberation, Act Up, etc
“search through their one inch thoughts, then decide it couldn’t be done”
Cynical rejection of political necessities.
“Baby, I’ll never let you go”
Emotional plea
“All I see is all I know”
Sensual reductionism, implied rejection of moral consequences.
“Lets find another way down”
Aka ‘go the way your blood beats.’ see James Baldwin.
“I can’t stand another sound”
Rejection of convention.
“Lets take another way”
… the way your blood beats. See James Baldwin
“Sons of the silent age”
‘the love that dare not speak its name’
“Listen to tracks by Sam Therapy and King Dice”
Accept the political convention of Psychology’s DSM, the APA’s oppressive ‘diagnosis’, a capitulation to the status quo.
“pick up in bars and cry only once”
Capitulation to oppression and promiscuity
“make love only once but dream and dream”
Capitulation, but with hope for the future
“they don’t walk, they just glide in and out of life
They never die, they just go to sleep one day”
The ultimate capitulation, that life doesn’t matter, it isn’t real, death is not the end…
“sons of the silent age” = the love that dare not speak its name.
“stand on platforms, blank looks and note books” In Isherwood’s Berlin Stories “Mr. Norris Changes Trains” begins on a train platform with “blank looks” and notebooks. Bowie was in Berlin when he wrote the song.
“sit in back rows of civil limits” Marginalization of civil rights.
“lay in bed coming and going on easy terms” Promiscuity
“Sons of the silent age” The love that dare not speak its name
“pace their rooms like a cell’s dimension” Marginalization of civil rights. Literally, a jail cell. In 1977, homosexuality was ILLEGAL in numerous countries.
“rise for a year or two then make war” Incipient political agitation, aka Gay Liberation, Act Up, etc
“search through their one inch thoughts, then decide it couldn’t be done” Cynical rejection of political necessities.
“Baby, I’ll never let you go” Emotional plea
“All I see is all I know” Sensual reductionism, implied rejection of moral consequences.
“Lets find another way down” Aka ‘go the way your blood beats.’ see James Baldwin.
“I can’t stand another sound” Rejection of convention.
“Lets take another way” … the way your blood beats. See James Baldwin
“Sons of the silent age” ‘the love that dare not speak its name’
“Listen to tracks by Sam Therapy and King Dice” Accept the political convention of Psychology’s DSM, the APA’s oppressive ‘diagnosis’, a capitulation to the status quo.
“pick up in bars and cry only once” Capitulation to oppression and promiscuity
“make love only once but dream and dream” Capitulation, but with hope for the future
“they don’t walk, they just glide in and out of life They never die, they just go to sleep one day” The ultimate capitulation, that life doesn’t matter, it isn’t real, death is not the end…