David Bowie’s “Thursday’s Child” Lyrics Meaning
For starters, this song is named after an autobiography that the late Eartha Kitt published in 1956. For the record, Eartha Kitt was a mid-20th century entertainer and sex symbol. But with that noted, this track was inspired by said book in name only. Or as David Bowie put it, having read the text when he was 14, he was never able to get the cover art out of his head.
So as rather used in this song, the term “Thursday’s child” points to a concept or type of character, of which the vocalist himself falls into its category. And as depicted, he is someone who spent most of his life, most simply put, being depressed. But now, as illustrated in the chorus, David is adopting a counter disposition. Or more specifically, in the here and now he is exuberantly looking forward to the future and in the process is shunning his less-than-ideal past.
And what is inferred in the second verse is that this new lease in life is the result of an uplifting figure he has made acquaintance with. It is not specified who this person is or what type of relationship he or she has with the vocalist. But just to note, as far as pop music goes such references usually allude to a romantic interest.
So now that Bowie has hooked up with this person, it’s like all those years he spent depressed is water under the bridge. Or let’s say that his joy associated with forming a relationship with the addressee is exacerbated by the fact that beforehand, his spirit was filled with melancholy.
So in hindsight, being a “Thursday’s child” wasn’t such a bad thing. And that is because that reality prepared him – so to speak – for the joy to come.
Facts about “Thursday’s Child”
“Thursday’s Child” is a pop rock song performed by English singer David Bowie. The track officially hit the airways on September 20 of 1999. It was issued as the first single from Bowie’s 22nd studio album entitled “Hours”.
The song was positively received in most parts of the globe. In the UK, for instance, it peaked at #16.
American songwriter and guitarist Reeves Gabrels was Bowie’s songwriting partner for this song. The pair was also responsible for the song’s production.
Bowie’s “Hours” Album
“Hours” was officially made public on September 21 of 1999. It was officially released on CD through Virgin Records on October 4, the same year.
In addition to “Thursday’s Child”, this project was accompanied by three other singles. The second single of the album, “The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell”, was also released in September of 1999.
The album’s third and fourth singles, “Survive” and “Seven”, were released, respectively, in January and July of 2000.
“Hours” received Gold certification in France after recording over 112,000 copies in sales. The project also received Silver certification in the UK.
This album earned enviable positions on numerous charts across the world. On the Billboard 200, it peaked at #47. In the UK, it reached #5. It was also a top-10 in the following nations:
- Austria
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Norway
- Sweden
