This song is about the profound and drastic change that occurs when one's sense of reality and continuity is challenged by an alien invasion.
Bowie is taking the stance of both the invaded and the invader. He acts as a translator, who understands both sides, and came to the conclusion that this invasion cannot be stopped. He translates this invasion for us, in the image of a mother/father figure looking down on us, so we can accept it.
It leaves us with a feeling of disorientation and sadness, for what we thought real and stable is now loss, but also with a strange confidence in the fact that what is coming next is simply more evolved.
We kidded ourselves for a long time, but since the strangers came down from that crack in the sky, we have to make way.
This song is about the profound and drastic change that occurs when one's sense of reality and continuity is challenged by an alien invasion.
Bowie is taking the stance of both the invaded and the invader. He acts as a translator, who understands both sides, and came to the conclusion that this invasion cannot be stopped. He translates this invasion for us, in the image of a mother/father figure looking down on us, so we can accept it.
It leaves us with a feeling of disorientation and sadness, for what we thought real and stable is now loss, but also with a strange confidence in the fact that what is coming next is simply more evolved.
We kidded ourselves for a long time, but since the strangers came down from that crack in the sky, we have to make way.
All the nightmares came today....
All the nightmares came today....