Lyrics of
The Man Who Sold The World

The Man Who Sold the World, composed by David Bowie, explores themes such as alienation and disconnection. David Bowie mentioned that the song was inspired by a meeting with the ghost of his own future. It marks a significant departure from the folk style of his earlier work to a more hard rock or glam rock sound.

We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long long time ago

Oh no, not me
I never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world


I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazely stare
At all the millions here
We must have died alone
A long long time ago

Who knows, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world


Who knows, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world

(fade out)