Seven

David Bowie's song 'Seven' delves into themes of existentialism, memory, and the passage of time. The lyrics reflect a sense of forgetfulness and detachment from familial advice and past experiences, suggesting a disconnection from traditional sources of wisdom. This detachment is juxtaposed with the urgency of the repeated line, 'I got seven days to live my life, or seven ways to die,' which underscores a pressing need to make meaningful choices within a limited timeframe.

The imagery in the song is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a city full of flowers and rain, which could symbolize beauty and sorrow coexisting. The mention of a 'bridge of violent people' and the vulnerability of being 'small enough to cry' adds a layer of personal struggle and societal chaos. These elements contribute to a feeling of being overwhelmed by external forces while grappling with internal emotions.

Bowie's reference to the gods forgetting they made him, and his subsequent decision to forget them too, speaks to a rejection of divine or external authority in favor of self-determination. The shadows and graves he mentions could symbolize the remnants of past lives and experiences, suggesting a dance with mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence. The song's refrain about having seven days or seven ways to die encapsulates the tension between living fully and the inevitability of death, urging listeners to reflect on their own lives and choices.