David Bowie

Songwriter: David Bowie Iggy Pop

Producer: Hugh Padgham David Bowie Derek Bramble

[Verse 1]
I've seen the city
I took the next flight
For Borneo
They say it's pretty
I like the tee shirts
In Borneo
Some wear Bob Marley
Others in Playboy
Or Duvalier
Make the last plane come
Let me rise through the cloudy above
With a book on Borneo

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Strangers come and go
It's such a waste of time
Problems far behind
Another day
But even in springtime
It's a rich slice of life
So send me a letter

[Chorus 1]
(We'll meet in borneo)
I'll reply with a broken spear
(We are *unclear*)
That dusky mulatto
(We'll meet in borneo)
In nylons and tattoos
(I like the free world)
Hot juice in coke bottles
(We'll meet in borneo)
We dance in the sand
(We are *unclear*)
Well, they twirl and they tumble
(Tumble and twirl)
Yes, they twirl and they tumble
(Tumble and twirl)
Well, I'll twirl and I'll tumble
(Tumble and twirl)

[Verse 2]
I've been to Leon's
He's got nine daughters
And a stereo
(Stereo)
They say that Leon
Watches from the tree tops
In Borneo
(Borneo)
When the road is mud
Everything stops with a thud
That's the way it goes
Way down yonder in Borneo

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Far beneath his mansion
There's an open drain
Sending all the sewage down the hill
But when the general shows movies
No one hesitates
To sneak from the jungle

[Chorus 2]
(We'll meet in borneo)
They laugh and they mumble
(We are *unclear*)
Enjoying the show
(We'll meet in borneo)
And that dusky mulatto
(I like the free world)
Hot juice in coke bottles
(We'll meet in borneo)
In blue jeans and tattoos
(We are *unclear*)
Well, they twirl and they tumble
(Tumble and twirl)
Yes, they twirl and they tumble
(Tumble and twirl)
Well, I'll twirl and I'll tumble
(Tumble and twirl)

[Chorus 3/Outro]
I like the free world
(I like the free word)
They say it's pretty
(tumble and twirl)
This time of year
(I like the free word)
They tumble and twirl
(tumble and twirl)
I'll tumble and twirl
{etc.}

David Bowie (1947 – 2016) was a British musician, and one of the most iconic rock stars with a widely diverse career where he frequently changed his appearance and musical style, resulting in an acclaimed discography comparable to other stalwarts such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Born David Robert Jones, Bowie quickly renamed himself to prevent confusion with The Monkees singer Davy Jones. Enduring many early missteps, he rose to prominence when his most famous song, “Space Oddity,” was played during the coverage of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Despite this early breakthrough, Bowie remained a cult figure for several years. Even the release of Hunky Dory, his first great album, went largely unnoticed. Bowie only lodged himself firmly in the public consciousness when he announced his bisexuality and created Ziggy Stardust in early 1972. A Martian who combined the debauchery of Iggy Pop with the artistry of Lou Reed, Ziggy was the main character in Bowie’s breakthrough album, and his public persona for eighteen months.

Bowie used his new-found popularity to move to America, and dabble with new musical directions and cocaine. Diamond Dogs and Young Americans continue to divide critics, but Station To Station found Bowie at a new creative peak, despite escalating drug use and related health issues.

more tracks from the album

Tonight

From the album

Tonight (1984)

David Bowie popular songs

Tumble and TwirlDavid Bowie

David Bowie

Tonight