David Bowie
"I Can't Give Everything Away" is the final track on David Bowie's twenty-sixth and last studio album, Blackstar (2016). Released posthumously as the third and final single from the album on April 6, 2016, the song is widely regarded as Bowie's farewell statement to his audience, capping off a remarkable career with a message of both optimism and closure.wikipedia.org
Song Details
- Artist: David Bowie
- Album: Blackstar (2016)
- Release Date (single): April 6, 2016 (posthumous)
- Recorded: 2015
- Length: 5:47
- Label: ISO/Columbia/Sony Music
- Producer(s): David Bowie, Tony Visconti
- Notable Musicians: Includes Bowie's regular collaborator Tony Visconti (producer) and members of Donny McCaslin's jazz quartet.
Musical Style and Theme
- The song features a blend of rock, pop, and jazz influences, highlighted by expressive saxophone contributions from Donny McCaslin.
- Musically and lyrically, it evokes a feeling of serene reflection. The arrangement shifts from a muted, grayscale start towards an uplifting, colorful resolution, mirroring the transition from darkness to light.
- The lyrics reflect on privacy, self-preservation, and the limits of artistic self-revelation. Notably, Bowie sings:
“I can't give everything… I can't give everything away.”
Context and Meaning
- The track is often interpreted as a poignant farewell and self-aware commentary on Bowie's impending mortality.
- Listeners and critics have drawn connections between the lyrics and Bowie's experiences with illness, as well as his broader career of constant reinvention and withholding.
- The harmonica motif references "A New Career in a New Town" from Bowie's 1977 album Low, adding a layer of continuity and nostalgia.
Reception
- Critics praised the song as a moving and fitting conclusion to Blackstar and to Bowie's career. NME called it "a serene, lilting number," while The Telegraph described it as "epic" and emotionally complex.
- The accompanying animated lyric video, directed by Jonathan Barnbrook (who also designed the album's artwork), reinforces the positivity and optimism of the music, transitioning from monochrome to vivid color as the song progresses.
Legacy and Covers
- "I Can't Give Everything Away" remains a deeply respected piece in Bowie's catalog, admired for its emotional candor and artistry.
- The song has also been covered by other artists, notably by Spoon, and a version remixed by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) was performed as a tribute to Bowie.
"I Can't Give Everything Away" stands as a powerful testament to David Bowie's lifelong artistry, offering both closure and celebration in his own unique, enigmatic fashion.wikipedia.org+1
