We Are The Dead

Album: Diamond Dogs (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is based on a line from George Orwell's novel 1984 - "We are the dead" are the last words Winston Smith says to Julia before they are caught by the Thought Police. Bowie wrote the song for a musical adaptation of the book but failed to get authorization from the Orwell estate. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Charlie - Stittstown, Canada
  • Marilyn Manson put this #1 on his list of "The Songs That Made Me" for a feature in Rolling Stone, explaining that it was a huge influence on his Antichrist Superstar album. "It felt like it was about the culture of Hollywood, the disgusting cannibalism," he said.

Comments: 3

  • Ian from TorontoYep, Jenny, I agree completely. Sweet Thing suite is probably my favourite Bowie thing. Ironically, his big hit, Rebel Rebel, though a great little rocker, is the least interesting cut on the album by far. It'd be the first song I'd drop from the lp if I had too.
  • Jenny from Hereford, EnglandI agree with you,Jon,it does seem like Winston is singing it and I almost expect O'Brien to come from behind the picture and echo him xxx
    Wowowowo what a fantastic lp that is!!!I think "Candidate"/"Sweet Thing"/"Candidate" (reprise) is the best thing on the Lp though,and then segues into "Rebel Rebel" mmmmmmmmmmmmmxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    LOVE that man xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Jon from Whittier, CaThe best 1984-inspired song on the album, because Bowie sings it with such melancholic dispair...but it's very close to the book with the lyrics. Makes it look like Winston sung it, not David.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.