David Bowie’s iconic song “John, I’m Only Dancing” has been hailed as a bisexual anthem since its release way back in 1972.
This guitar-driven glam rock track, originally a non-album single, captivated audiences with its catchy melody and enigmatic lyrics. While its meaning may be open to interpretation, many listeners have perceived it as addressing a same-sex relationship.
The inspiration behind “John, I’m Only Dancing” reportedly stems from a personal incident involving Bowie, his then-wife Angie, and his former drummer John Cambridge.
The lyrics convey a message from the narrator to his lover, reassuring them not to worry about his interactions with another woman because he is “only dancing” with her. Although the meaning remains ambiguous and subject to individual understanding, many people have widely interpreted the song as an exploration of a gay relationship.
In a 1979 interview with Mavis Nicholson on Afternoon Plus, Bowie states that he is bisexual in an exchange that stands as a perfect archetypal example of how society deals with anyone that isn’t straight or gay.
Watch.
While some critics argue that the song does not explicitly support the claim of being a gay anthem, comparing it to Bowie’s other tracks such as “Queen Bitch” and “Suffragette City,” biographer Nicholas Pegg suggests that the narrator in “John, I’m Only Dancing” could just as easily be a straight man reassuring the girl’s lover. The song’s ambiguous nature allows for multiple interpretations and adds to its intrigue.
Bowie’s public image during that time was characterized by his flamboyant and androgynous appearance, which challenged societal norms. He embraced his sexuality with a sly playfulness, declaring, “I’m gay, and always have been, even when I was David Jones.” This statement, made during the aforementioned Melody Maker interview, gained significant attention at that time.
Musically, “John, I’m Only Dancing” showcases the talents of Bowie’s backing band, the Spiders from Mars. Guitarist Mick Ronson delivers a powerful riff that pays homage to Eddie Cochran, while his electrifying solo leaves a lasting impact.
The rhythm section, consisting of drummer Woody Woodmansey and bassist Trevor Bolder, adds depth and energy to the song, with Bolder’s bassline serving as one of its defining features.
The track was recorded on June 26, 1972, and released in September of that year. It achieved success in the UK, reaching number 12 on the charts; however, RCA, Bowie’s record label, decided not to release it in the United States due to the suggestive nature of the lyrics.
Whichever way you interpret it, you can’t deny “John, I’m Only Dancing” caused many conversations during a hush-hush era. It holds a special place in the hearts of Bowie’s queer fans, as it symbolizes a kinship between the artist and the LGBTQ+ community.
Bowie was already a queer idol for the scene at the time due to his flamboyant form of expression, but his seemingly openness about his own sexuality provided a clear sense of acceptance and representation.
Regardless of whether Bowie’s motives were solely for spectacle or financial gain, his declaration of bisexuality allowed others to feel more comfortable in their own skin, and as gay music legend Tom Robinson stated, “For gay musicians, Bowie was seismic. To hell with whether he disowned us later.”
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Donston
In a couple of interviews Bowie talked about how he did indeed have some queer dimensions/experiences but he was conscious of exploiting those queer dimensions for spectacle and controversy. I doubt Bowie ever had any legit same-sex relationships, ever thought he was “gay”, was ever not hetero-leaning when it came to the sexual, affection, romantic, emotion, relationship, commitment spectrum. He probably had some degrees of hyper-sexuality, paraphiliacs, gender/sexual fluidity and was clearly very influenced by the queers around him as far as molding his image. His “relationship” with queer politics and image is complicated considering the exploitative nature of his image and the abandoning of any queer attachments, but also due to the common knowledge that he was hooking up with underage people throughout the 70s.
abfab
I froze in my tracks at ”I doubt Bowie ever had any legit same-sex relationships…..” I know there was more to your far our sentence, but how the fuk would you know!
And WTF does ”legit” mean. OMG. Stop!
Donston
“Legit” means more than just hook-ups a side affair. While there’s been no rumors of him ever having any same-sex relationships. Bowie himself also said that he didn’t. And he was linked to females throughout the 70s and later. He could have been deeply in love with and committed to whatever man for whatever time, and we’ll never know. The point of the post is that Bowle’s relationship to “queerness” is quite a bit more complicated than the media likes to portray. With degrees of exploitation, potential “baiting”, later homo shaming, and someone who clearly indulged some really f-ed behaviors at his height of popularity. Though yes, he did bring a more queer-ish image into the mainstream.
abfab
”and we’ll never know” which were your words! You don’t. So stop.
But you then you carry on in your usual style, Professor Donston, trying to convince. You were not his friend, you never lived with him for a even a day, and you were never one of his illigitamate hook ups.
dbmcvey
It doesn’t matter if they were “legit” or not. I know many people, both gay and straight who never had “legit” relationships. He was married twice to women, but gay marriage wasn’t legal during his lifetime. We also know, according to his first wife, he had relations with men while they were together. It is rumored that he had a very serious relationship with Lindsay Kemp, he spoke about it.
But, I know a lot of gay men of Bowie’s and previous generations who never had a long term relationship with any men because of their own issues.
Doug
Bowie used the concept of bisexuality early in his career for notoriety and (at the time) shock value, which sold records. Prince did the same thing by alluding to being bi. Once they’d both achieved the fanbase they wanted and became well-known, they both denied being gay or bisexual late in their careers.
S.anderson
So once again, I listen to “John, I’m Only Dancing” while reading the lyrics, paying attention to inflection, tone, everything else. I get absolutely nothing out of it. Nothing. It’s a trite, throw-away piece. Any meaning it has is too ambiguous to ever be realized by listening to it.
dbmcvey
This says more about you than the song.
abfab
When you play Walk On The Wild Side…..tell us, what if ANYTHING do you get out of it. Too ambiguous? How sad. Play it a few more times. Get back to us.
And if Bowie isn’t your thing, let us know, then we’ll understand.
still_onthemark
Uh… “gay music legend Tom Robinson” says he’s bisexual. His wife probably also thinks he’s bisexual.
dbmcvey
ex-wife Angie walked in on him and Mick Jagger.
still_onthemark
@dbmcvey: I meant that Tom Robinson is bisexual.
dbmcvey
Oh, you’re correct. Although Robinson says he is bisexual. I don’t know why we would doubt him.
abfab
His parting video hauntsme as he lay in his bed, succumbing to his illness. He did great work during that time and I miss him and love him so much. Celebrating all of his records this summer….it’s time.
dbmcvey
Great song, and a testament to Bowie’s bisexuality. We can’t ever forget his ex-wife’s story about walking in on he and Mick Jagger.