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Changes Lyrics

Artist: David Bowie
Album: Changes

Changes
David Bowie

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

Comments/Interpretations
by Dayne on 5/11/2008 3:51pm I'm pretty positive that it's not turn and face the strain, but turn and face the STRANGE insead.
by sam on 5/18/2008 8:05pm i love dis song
by Bowie on 5/20/2008 9:25am It's strain. Trust me.
by Joshua on 5/23/2008 11:13am Yeah, I agree with this Dayne guy. It is strange because that would be stupid if it was strain, why would it be strain??Exactly our point.
by Brett on 6/4/2008 12:46pm This sounds like the Beatles.
by Kailea on 6/5/2008 11:06am Yeah, it kind of does sound like the Beatles. I think it's a really good song. David Bowie's got a fabulous voice.
by B-B-B-Bowie on 6/6/2008 10:06am You should give some evidence, rather than just say: Period. Idiot. It kind of sounds like strange.. hard ot tell
by funkdog on 6/6/2008 9:15pm what would be strange, is if you guys actually got a life!
by René on 6/7/2008 5:25am It´s "turn and face the stranger"
by nice.. on 6/12/2008 12:50am ROFL you guys are retarded. it's strain. and it's very clear that it's strain. whether that makes sense to you or not. if you actually think about it the entire song isn't completely clear on what it's talking about. [and of course i'm referring to those who don't believe it's 'strain' as retarded.]
by Jemaine Clement on 6/12/2008 9:29pm I have the Hunky Dorey lyric booklet. It's strain.
by prettymaryk on 6/13/2008 7:23pm How can you say it's "strain" if you can CLEARLY hear the "g" at the end every time he sings it? You can hear it. And it's not "turn and face the strain --- Changes"; it's "turn and face the strange changes". It's an actual sentence, which is what makes Bowie's songs so wonderful: he actually uses sentences instead of random exclamations and words.
by david bowie on 6/15/2008 10:56am of course its 'strain ive listned to this song loads of times its not hard to hear that its 'strain'. Its really not that difficult.............
by Peter Gammons on 6/18/2008 11:50pm fuck you, my brain hurts!
by Gammo Simgmal on 6/21/2008 11:59pm I can't believe you guys are arguing over Bowie Lyrics. HE doesn't even know what half his songs are about.
by george on 6/22/2008 7:04am it is strain. it kinda sounds like strange because the next syllaball is ch
by pam on 6/22/2008 3:46pm actually, you guys, its turn and face the stranger. i just went on 10 different lyric websites and they all say "turn and face the stranger" which totally makes sense because he's talking about how time changes himself over time. he views himself as the stranger.
by Bewlay Brothers on 6/23/2008 8:23am No, it is TURN AND FACE THE STRANGE!!! In an interview from Musician magazine in 1990 Bowie himself confirmed this. As in strange fascination..... it's kind of Syd Barrett-esque.
by josie on 6/23/2008 7:59pm sorry to piss anyone off but pam is right- i have the cd
by Agent Al on 6/24/2008 8:51am No "right" answer here. A good song means different things to different people. Many song writer/singers will change songs when done live or later in their careers. It is fun to read each of your thoughts. It says more about each of you than it does about the song.....
by kate on 6/24/2008 1:09pm omg you guys are so sad its stain it sounds like strange because of the chh that comes next and how they have mixed it i have the sheet music its not stange or stanger its stain get over it lmao
by oya on 6/29/2008 2:20am Turn and face the stain? Wtf? Srsly? What stain?
by Dude on 7/4/2008 1:37pm YOu guys are fucking dumb.. the song is about The strain of getting older, and going through changes in your life... of course it's fucking strain. Ch ch ch changes is the hook, the words that come before it don't correlate..
by Tim on 7/8/2008 5:10pm Using Prettymaryk's logic, Bowie's next lyric would be: "Don't want to be a richer man changes... What is a richer man changes? I don't want to be one. That STRAIN's logic...
by cheftz on 7/9/2008 3:21pm well i tell you what i have just called David and he confirms it is strain! these comments are very amusing.
by prettymaryk on 7/10/2008 2:38pm Tim: I don't really see how that's my logic, since I was only talking about the strain/strange issue - and that's the beginning of the chorus, so it doesn't have to tie in to the previous phrase. cheftz, the amusing one is definitely yours.
by another point of veiw on 7/14/2008 3:19pm look at it without changes in the chorus Turn and face the strain Just gonna have to be a different man (Turn and face the strain) Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it Turn and face the strain Where's your shame You've left us up to our necks in it Turn and face the strain Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older these things seem like they might be strenuous
by Strange Strain-ger on 7/14/2008 6:43pm It is 'straight' 'Turn and face the straight changes' I heard it in slow motion.
by ahahahahahahahahah WOW on 7/17/2008 9:06pm "another point of veiw" makes alot of sense. but really, why argue, if you wanna sing it how you want go for it, David knows wut it is and he doesnt need anyone to remind him, OR correct his fans. im sure hes happy even if someoen messes up one word.
by zac bowie on 7/22/2008 2:17am its strain coz he is my dad and he told me
by zac bowie on 7/22/2008 2:36am yer its me again its true add me on zacy_wacky@hotmail.com
by lost on 7/22/2008 5:47am Arseholes. It's "Turn and take the train." Obviously. Think about it - "Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes?" David's going on a train journey and has to change at different stations on his route. Wankers.
by zac on 7/23/2008 4:58am its strain and add me zacy_wacky@hotmail.com
by Bowie the dog on 7/29/2008 1:47am It's true. It's a train journey; Ch ch ch ch changes, (Turn and face the train) Pretty soon you're gonna get off in Dover.
by A on 7/30/2008 1:24am oh my lord you people are pathetic, it is what ever you think it is, stop arguing its just a song, but an amazing song at that :)
by Ch-ch-ch-ch on 8/2/2008 12:12am so many people arguing for lyrics , this reading it´s been really funny , keep the hard work!! guys , I´ll check later ..
by tori on 8/3/2008 3:19pm amazing song, i dont think one word makes that much of a diference, think what you want so it means what you want :) (its strange =p)
by Kakko on 8/11/2008 6:51am The cover by bananarama is much better!
by huckleberry hound on 8/11/2008 11:48am I thought it was turn and face the strange. I checked out a bunch of lyric finder web sites and they say turn and face the stranger which makes sense in the context of the song. I have no vested interest one way or another, just reporting what I found.
by Tarvo Wargambler on 8/11/2008 1:07pm Actually, the line is "Churn your face in Spain." Bowie told me so himself when we were snorting coke with Marc Bolan in Ibiza in 1974.
by oh dear on 8/20/2008 11:47am guys, you realize that whatever word you fight for, they can all make sense in their own way. its a beautiful song, nonetheless. <3 bowie
by Lindy on 8/20/2008 3:19pm All sad.... Bananarama...i ask you....it's got to be 'strain', think about it in the context of the song......how do they teach A level English!
by Arad on 8/23/2008 1:31am For those of you arguing if it's "strain" or "strange", here's an excerpt from 'Station to Station', a book written by Geoff MaCormack (a.k.a Warren Peace), Bowie's backup singer in the mid-seventies. This will resolve the argument: "On another occasion, again towards the end of the tour, we were singing 'Changes' for the purposes of a sound-check. When we reached the chorus David stopped the band, walked over to Gui and me, and asked us to sing our part. We duly obliged. David doubled up with laughter. For two-and-a-half months we had been singing 'turn and face the strain' instead of 'turn and face the strange'. From then on, every time we performed that song David would stick his arse out towards us and make like he was trying to squeeze one out, which would make us both laugh and fluff the line even worse."
by matthew m. on 8/24/2008 10:34pm its funny because someone said it sounds like the beatles (i wish it was) but its notbecause i own every beatle album.....im a freak arent I?
by Debbie on 8/28/2008 3:05pm Yes, but don't beat yourself up about it x
by Isabella on 8/30/2008 5:29am I've always sung it pronouncing 'strange'. Love that fact about him making fun about their mistake. God how I love that man x
by Dj Oystein on 9/3/2008 5:55pm Changes is the definetaly most requested song when I`m around spinning records in Norway. And I Like it:)
by kaitlin on 9/6/2008 9:31pm wow i'm glad i stopped to read these! haha it's definitely strange cause strain does not fit at all
by Mr Rebecca on 9/7/2008 9:17am on the L word, Billy Blakie sings "turn and face the strange" but that may be just due to the situation =P strange sounds funkier though :D
by fishmouth on 9/7/2008 2:00pm I hope mr Bowie is reading and enjoying this. If you care to peruse the entire thread, it's clear we should split into two religious factions, adopt separate and distinct flags, the 'strain' & the 'strange' and start blowing each other up. These last few minutes have provided a sobering snap of how much emotional e energy is available to be harnessed to nothing at all. Am I on the fence? Naaah. How the F can you 'face a strain' ?. PS I am a big fan of words meaning something
by The only smart one here on 9/22/2008 3:54pm I've talked to david bowie several times and its obvious that he's saying turn and face the struggle, i can't believe you guys didnt know that and you call yourselves fans please you guys make me sick
by G-dog on 9/23/2008 10:36pm It's "turn and take this train." And the train y'all should be taking is to Dumbsville. Oh wait ... y'all's already there. Lordy, I'm da bess.
by gigi on 9/30/2008 5:07pm funny shit!
by aladinsane on 10/5/2008 10:49pm indeed!
by rjbbjg on 10/12/2008 9:32pm i have frome the 70's an original bootleg copy of this album ...hmm maybe i should sell it??
by reefshark on 10/20/2008 6:45pm ...Ground control to Major Tom... ...Ground control to Major Tom... ...Take your lyricosis... ...put it in your song....
by Bugjuicer on 10/23/2008 11:55pm I wonder what David Bowie thinks about having all you morons as fan, that must make him turn and "face the strain."
by Wendy Boatcomesin on 10/25/2008 3:40pm Strange. Obviously. Although it might be Stranger. Both make sense. Strain doesn't. Having said that we are talking about a songwriter whose lyrics include "the Jean Genie loves chimney stacks" so logical narrative might not be top of his agenda.
by Dan Levitan on 10/29/2008 11:45am Thank you all, this is one hilarious thread
by stonehammer on 11/5/2008 4:33pm i just wanted to check the lyrics 'cause i though Obama should have sung it last night in his acceptance speach - but what do i find? a discussion of the lyrics that sound like the whole 2 year election campaign all over again... and then if you think of it in light of Mr Obama's next four years; strain OR strange will fit nicely...
by jaybee on 11/10/2008 1:18pm LOL! This is the best one I've read so far!! I've always said "strange". Changes bring strange (new, different, foreign) circumstances and surroundings. I've never once thought it might say STRAIN. Changes aren't a strain unless you view life like that. I guess some people are opposed to changes... CHANGE IS GOOD. STRANGE IS GOOD... :)
by tom bowie on 11/11/2008 3:59pm my brother is david and he says its STRANGER but because the back up singers sing it,he cuts in when they say the ER IN strangER.
by Hello on 11/16/2008 8:11am Okay. I just assumed it was strain. As some people fear changes, and some changes are negative but the outcome hopefully positive, and so he could be saying to face the strain of the thing before the change. However, does it actually matter?
by Anthony D.A. on 11/18/2008 5:25pm Oh, get off it -- let's not drag politics into this too... if you've made B.H. Obama your savior, it's a losing prospect in the end. Bowie clearly sings "strain," and to me the song speaks of personal identity and generational issues. And btw, it sounds Beatlesque because John Lennon sings back-up: the "turn and face the strain," parts. Anthony summaanthony@yahoo.com
by LyricMeister on 11/20/2008 12:31pm Unbelievable. Are you all deaf? You're all thrashing it out: strain, strange, stranger. When it's clearly 'train'. He's talking about suicide, man, throwing himself under the 6.03 from Birmingham to avoid the babble of you psycho afficionados...
by too much reading on 11/20/2008 6:29pm -peace in- it's strange... i dont know how anyone got train. but thats what i hear so im stickin with strange. get a life and stop screaming at each other. -peace out-
by queenbitch on 11/30/2008 6:48pm its strain. this has been quite entertaining though.
by mmmm on 12/2/2008 3:17pm LMFAO
by Bowie's Bartender on 12/3/2008 2:30pm It's "turn and chase the grain". Bowie drinks whiskey with a beer chaser. After a few "bats and balls", he's a little hard to "unnerstan". I can't believe you morons didn't know that!
by hmmmmm on 12/8/2008 10:03pm The first one is "Strange" The second is "Strain" Then "Strange" again Why is it like this? Who really gives a crap. Im making you all happy. Stop bitching and moaning over it.
by overandout on 12/9/2008 5:18am Bowie doesn't need to sing about facing the strange - his whole artistic life is about facing the strange. And that's what makes him fantastic. He obviously sings about facing the strain, as that is what would be the troubling (straining!) aspect for him.
by amazing! on 12/9/2008 7:28am the way he sings fascinating is pretty fascinating. maybe th real issue here is whether you "can" or "can't" trace time...... is that true about lennon singing on this record? it's such a great song. thanks to everyone xx
by beach babe on 12/31/2008 9:00am As Bowie gets older it will be '"Turn and get my cane." We got to wondering about the lyrics because my son suggested ChChChChanges as a name for a new kitty (not under serious consideration as a name!).
by peta on 1/5/2009 6:03pm wat kind of name is amazing or hmmmmm?
by Chizzle on 1/9/2009 12:20am Woah!!! man u all need to get a life! i just stumbled across this website coz i wanted to sing the right words when my mum plays her bowie cds... oh and i agree with zac bowie. it is so strain
by sailormoon on 1/13/2009 4:59am Oh my God, you made my day. I'll never tell you if it's strange, strain, train-because this is all too entertaining. Why ruin everyone's fun?
by flastar on 1/13/2009 11:33am love the song... love the strain strange kkkkkkkkkkk
by chris on 1/13/2009 2:39pm Its definetely strange
by Stu on 1/14/2009 10:20pm "Pretty soon now you're gonna get older"... don't know if that one was fielded.
by Chizzle on 1/15/2009 10:35pm wow this gets funnier everytime i go on!!! u guys are hilarious! what does feilded mean tho....?
by JaliL on 1/17/2009 3:28am and its is not ripples is nipples :O
by I Am Nomad on 1/19/2009 2:15am I can't believe none of you picked up on the other meanings of "strain," which is music. A strain is a section of a piece of music, more or less complete in itself. Bowie is saying to turn and face the music, and accept the changes.
by Ravi on 1/22/2009 2:30pm I like the "Churn your face in Spain on a train" idea.... This is getting to be like a Dr. Seuss story.
by keli on 1/27/2009 4:09pm this was one of the most entertaining things i've ever read. thank you all for your passion. it created good humor. :)
by rose on 1/28/2009 6:53pm this song is cool but what i dont get is that it saids ch-ch-ch
by Brent- on 1/28/2009 9:24pm It is strange!! Simply because Strange, rhymes with Change!! I have a GED.
by Spikeasaur. on 2/1/2009 10:38am How about all of you shut the fuck up and enjoy the music? Christ you're like a bunch of fucking politicians. Fantastic song, so try enjoying it.
by nigel on 2/9/2009 2:58am the most convincing argument here was from the bloke who placed a quote from a book written by the fella who did back up vocals- which revealed it to be 'strange'. if it is 'strange', and, obviously, david bowie is sure of it; why does the hunky dorey album booklet (as previously mentioned) say that it is 'strain'? were the lyrics not confirmed with david before they were published?
by Rogers on 2/9/2009 1:19pm The real lyrics are "Turn and face the strange bloggers who, for some reason, feel a strong need to edit my original song lyrics with their own Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes." The reason you don't hear the last part is that Bowie sings over it.
by Chizzle on 2/13/2009 9:28pm guys... just enjoy the bloody song!!! everytime i sing to it i dont know whether to sing strain or strange wheras i used to just sing strain and that was all goods but u guys have made me all confused. i think we need to put it to a vote aye. i vote strain That makes it Strain 1. Strange 0 chur
by irisrara on 2/14/2009 12:48pm It is strain-I'm 47, been a Bowie fan for years, think about what 'Changes' do to us!!!
by STEVE on 2/22/2009 11:08pm Definitely strain noobs. and lol, closet heterosexual, what a guy!
by sac master on 2/25/2009 5:17am but slamed on ur face
by JamieW on 2/25/2009 3:22pm Wow, I was just looking up the lyrics when I saw this thread of hilarious comments. Awesome! Keep up the entertainment. We've only got a couple million people to call onto the battle field. I'm not taking any sides, but I've always sung strange. Let the battle sommence once more!!! With humor, Jamie W
by sammy on 3/1/2009 3:16pm is it strange? is it strain? is it rain? is it train? is it stain? who am i? where am i? what year is this?
by The Chapcheval on 3/3/2009 4:35pm WHHIICKKAAAAA WHHICKKAAAAA FRESSSHHHHH
by Alexi Nobody. on 3/3/2009 10:50pm does the space cold make you nipples go pointy bowie? haha i love FOTC. and im pretty sure its strange, not strain!
by becc on 3/5/2009 12:14am lololol.
by bubbakanoosh on 3/6/2009 5:04am and what about the last line of the chorus - clearly its i can't change time
by Bowie is Buddah on 3/10/2009 1:42am You're all wrong - he's not even singing 'Changes" it's actually "Strangers", Bowie stutters a bit during the lead in due to his coke habit at the time of recording this album. Buddah bless the thin white duke. BTW, his other hit song from this time with John Lennon - "Dame" totally rocks, "Dame, what you need is her number . . . "
by Unreal on 3/11/2009 10:54am Anyone who isn't deaf could clearly hear that it is strain. Pretty simple don't need any evidence other than simply listening to the song.
by Mogul on 3/12/2009 4:29pm Just got off the phone with David Bowie. It's STRANGE.
by wow on 3/21/2009 2:40am wow we've spent almost a year arguing about it, yet i have the CD and it says strain in the strain in the lyrics that comee with it
by SPQR4 on 3/23/2009 2:03am The strain refers to the strain of age (getting old).Once you start getting a little older you will know exactly what he is referring to.
by bilabong on 3/23/2009 12:34pm im singing this in school with my friends cool or what
by mim on 3/24/2009 9:46am haha great thread. Everyone round me sings 'turn and face the change. changes' It does my head in. I've always alternated between strain and strange. I think I now opt for strange on the rhyming basis.
by cora507 on 3/24/2009 6:23pm um i think its turn and face the strained
by KDub on 3/28/2009 12:21am I have truly enjoyed this debate! Funny Stuff! I have always said "strange", however, the argument that I am Nomad had is a good one; I didn't think of that! It's definitely not "stranger", that's too many syllables to fit! This and Ziggy Stardust are 2 of my fav songs of all time! David's voice can make me melt!!!
by A horse on 4/6/2009 4:35am I'M A HORSE!
by A horse on 4/6/2009 4:36am IM A HORSE!
by ThatSteven on 4/7/2009 12:04am Sadly, I am too familiar with all of Bowie's songs and covers. The word in Changes is "strain". Check out BowieWonderWorld.com and see lyrics.
by diamonddogs on 4/7/2009 7:57am I love David Bowie and I really love this song. It's the second best song on the CD "Hunky Dory". The best for me is "Life On Mars?"!!!!!!!!!:):):)
by jimmy on 4/7/2009 10:52am haha just to wade into this debate... i always said strain i just watched an episode of Heroes called 'Turn and Face the Strange' and on the HeroesWiki thing it said this is a line from the Bowie song, which led me here to check if it was true. Just listened to a live version of Changes, and a cover version, they both sound like STRAIN. hmmmm
by lobotomia on 4/9/2009 9:38am I´ve bin a Bowie-fan since -71 and I use to sing "strange". It makes sence. So I go for the Chizzle-vote and vote for strange. That makes Strain 1, Strange 1. This battle must continue a while yet
by :l Your Mom on 4/13/2009 5:27pm I couldnt care less about any of this crap, but im usin it for an English project xD
by a lion on 4/24/2009 6:41pm I'M A LION!!
by Rocksanne Redlite on 4/25/2009 10:58am I've always thought it was "strange" but what do I know? Who cares, really--I LOVE this song.
by strainchange on 4/28/2009 1:50am ch-changes turn and face the STRAING at first i thought it was strain and when i put my ear directly to my speaker i heard a very faint "g" at the end of strain as the CH-CH started. very split decision here, everyone else listening to the song, put ur ear close and tell me if you hear the ''g'' at the end of strain. strain/strange.. hmm
by Rusty on 4/30/2009 5:52am I vote strange. Rhymes the best with change and makes the most sense.
by Coffee/Tea on 5/1/2009 12:45pm Years ago, my now wife made me a cup of tea, which so happened to have coffee in as well, only my wife could do this, shes special like that. Anyhow I sat there almost to the end of the cup of tea/coffee and everytime I drank some my brain said it was Tea because I could taste tea then it would say NO its coffee and on it went. It has just occurred to me that maybe that Bowie being Bowie as created a cup of tea/coffee and sings ch...ch...ch changes, turn and face the strain and then sings ch... ch... ch... changes turn and face the strange. Typical Bowie creating a Labyrinth. Any Takers?????
by R2 on 5/3/2009 11:06am I put my ear next to the speaker (had to climb on a la-la-ladder) and n-n-now I c-c-can't hear a th-th-thing. You all have made me howl! If you play it backwards (vinyl only!), I think it sounds like "regnarts eht ecaf dna nruT". D-D-Done deal.
by R2 on 5/3/2009 11:12am I can't believe no one has mentioned listening to Changes while watching On Golden Pond with Jane and Henry Fonda. The part in question here (strain, strange, stranger, train, et.al.) falls right into place when Henry's character (suffering from Alzheimers) turns around to face Jane (playing his daughter); Henry doesn't recognize her at all. Therefore, it HAS to be "Stranger".
by spiritflare@gmail.com on 5/8/2009 8:15pm It's turn and face the STRANGE - check the album lyrics or cduniverse.
by jane on 5/10/2009 6:30pm If its when he faces Jane maybe its "turn and face the Jane"
by Loraine on 5/25/2009 3:12pm yeah or maybe its, turn and face loraine, in reference to the morning after we slept together, and in bed he turned and faced me. Maybe hes saying its something we should all experience.
by Joe on 5/27/2009 8:35pm Its strain i have best of bowie
by A Cockerel on 6/5/2009 11:16am I'M A COCKEREL! Erm unless you're an American reading this, in which case I'm a ROOSTER!
by harvard79 on 6/15/2009 12:53pm i'm pretty sure it's "learn to place the blame." no matter how shitty your situation is, you should never take the blame. never.
by Idontevenreallylikedavidbowie on 6/20/2009 5:03am funny to read the whole thing, then look back at the first and third comments which are so simple, and yet started this huge debate. i think it says strange. someone tally all the different votes and we will decide a year from now. because in the book 1984 it says the truth is whatever people believe it is. even though that idea is meant to be satirical, we will use it. so everyone get online at 4 a.m. mountain time on june 20, 2010, and we will have a party. we will also purge the people who were decided to be wrong.
by wans on 6/28/2009 6:47pm I think it might be 'turn and face sit trane' referring to jazz saxophone great John Coltrane because bowie sucked at the instrument and now unconciously wants to sexually control the mighty Trane.
by David Bowie on 7/1/2009 6:20pm Everyone sux. It says "Time to eat chow maine (sic)". I wrote it. I should know.
by truth guy on 7/21/2009 2:38am If you lifeless peeps actually listen to the song itself, you can hear he sez strain, but if you listen carefully he sez a quite ge on the end of strain, so it is strainge (strange) its not that hard
by Epidemiologist on 7/23/2009 8:57am Bowie was secretly aware of alien plots to release deadly viruses on earth. Therefore it is "turn and face the strain...changes". Look up the movie Andromeda Strain that came out earlier the same year. Bowie, an alien himself, wanted people to passively accept their alien fate. Not sure how earth escaped certain disaster, but now we are all free to argue about song lyrics instead of worrying about aliens.
by SpaceOddity on 7/26/2009 7:00pm This song is a reference to Strange Days by the Doors, one of Bowie's favorite song. The whole idea of this song comes from there, according to an a interview on one of Bowie's back up singer published in Rock & Folk. It therefore cannot be anything else than "Strange".
by hutchcat on 7/28/2009 5:54pm It could be "stain". There's a stain on his pants and he cannot for the life of him remember how it got there.
by The Truth on 8/26/2009 12:29pm "Turn and face the strain" refers to straining against the will of the older generation who resist change. The whole song is about society accepting change as well as accepting the change in yourself... At least that's what my cat Scout told me...
by Sophia Loren on 9/4/2009 4:52am Thank you all for several of the most satisfying guffaws I've had the pleasure to loose in months. I would echo the sentiment of "ahaha wow" on 7/17/08, "A" on 7/30/08, and "oh dear" on 8/20/08 in saying that regardless of what particular word Bowie used in writing the song, what he or his bandmates may or may not have sung at any given point or on any particular recording... no matter what any published biography or internet lyrics site or David Bowie fan page and shrine may confirm or deny... if you enjoy the song, then enjoy it! Sing whatever the hell you want to sing, as long as you're singing with your own real emotion. If you can't sing it without someone else deciding for you how you should feel and the exact words to quote, perhaps you should find another song to which you can just rock out and enjoy life?
by Ryan Boyd on 9/6/2009 12:15am It's strange. There's no question in my mind.
by Blue on 9/13/2009 12:56pm It's actually "turn and face the lame", which is actually all of the 'affirmations' above. And for the ones suggesting Bowie would read this... sweet Jesus, I sure hope you get some serious ch-ch-ch-changes.
by vikki n mike :) on 9/21/2009 1:01pm its not strain/strange/train/lame/cain/insane/macarane or juvinile its bababoooosk
by juno who on 9/27/2009 6:54pm LOL! It's "strain". Honestly, don't depend on the internet for everything, get the cd (or the vinyl like us old peeps have) and read the lyrics.
by dave on 9/29/2009 3:46am its strain. the song is about changes and lots of changes are a strain on life. it would be silly for it to be strange and all that other rubbish you keep saying.
by Emme on 9/30/2009 2:04pm It's strange. Just listen.
by Hooc Aires on 10/3/2009 5:24pm You guys make way too big a deal about this. It should sound like strange, because of how he sang it, but he says strain. it doesn't matter though because he says strain because it is about him making a comeback and facing the strain in his life. Therefore "look out you rock-n-rollers" and how he talks about past failures in the past verse and CHANGE throughout the song
by Hooc Aires on 10/3/2009 5:26pm oh and SpaceOddity, rolling stone says otherwise...
by Nicoremo on 10/12/2009 5:39pm Emme, what are you talking about? What is strange?
by Rita on 10/13/2009 8:54pm Time may change me, but I can't RACE time. Come on, people!!
by bbbb on 10/17/2009 5:25pm it's strange! I'm David mum.
by Merkins on 10/24/2009 1:51pm I'm sorry but I just can't get past this now and enjoy the song like I always have before reading all this. Can anyone please contact someone in authority and get a definite resolution to this.
by penrod59 on 10/28/2009 11:56am Bowie is a shrieking hag.
by asdf on 10/29/2009 10:02am fuck u aaaaaalll
by Hollywood James on 11/5/2009 5:20pm You guyz are all wankers, It's strange, read the words to the rest of the song and it leads to that. There was a period when David's Backup singers were singing it wrong at rehearsals for the 78 world tour and he started making fun of it but it's strang, Now go on with your lives and quit quipping over bloody stupid things. PS David and I had spoke about this song on numerous occasions. Watch the ripple change it's course but never leave the stream

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