After All (David Bowie song)

"After All" is a song written by David Bowie in 1970 for the album The Man Who Sold the World, released later that year in the United States and in April 1971 in the UK. One of a number of Bowie songs from the early 1970s reflecting the influence of Friedrich Nietzsche and Aleister Crowley, it has been described by biographer David Buckley as "the album's hidden gem",[1] and by Nicholas Pegg as "one of Bowie's most underrated recordings".[2]

"After All"
Song by David Bowie
from the album The Man Who Sold the World
Released4 November 1970 (United States)
April 1971 (UK)
Recorded18 April – 22 May 1970
StudioTrident and Advision, London
GenrePsychedelic folk, psychedelic rock
Length3:52
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)Tony Visconti

Music and lyrics

The song has been interpreted as taking to nightmarish conclusions the children's world of Bowie's early song "There Is a Happy Land", from his 1967 debut David Bowie.[2][3] Like much of The Man Who Sold the World, its lyrics are imbued with a Nietzschian Übermensch philosophy ("Man is an obstacle, sad as the clown").[3] The line "Live til your rebirth and do what you will" is often cited as homage to occultist Aleister Crowley and his dictum, "Do what thou wilt".[1][2]

The track is unusual in a rock context for being in waltz time, most obviously in the surreal circus-like instrumental break. Its style was inspired by the "slightly sinister, measured melancholy" of songs Bowie recalled from childhood such as Danny Kaye's "Inchworm".[1] Regarding the music's arrangement, producer Tony Visconti said, "The basic song and the 'oh by jingo' line were David's ideas. The rest was Ronno and me vying for the next overdub."[2]

Legacy

As with "All the Madmen" from the same album, the gothic atmosphere of "After All" has been cited as a significant influence on such bands as Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure and Bauhaus.[1]

Personnel

Cover versions

Notes
  1. David Buckley (1999). Strange Fascination – David Bowie: The Definitive Story: pp.99–102
  2. Nicholas Pegg (2000). The Complete David Bowie: p.19
  3. Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.38
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