After All (David Bowie song)

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"After All" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album The Man Who Sold the World. It is a gloomy ballad with obscure lyrics evoking a world of childhood. The instrumental break jumps into a higher key and a tivoli/circus-like music style giving the song a creepy ambience. With the line in the final verse "Live til your rebirth and do what you will", Bowie is echoing the occult teachings of diabolist Aleister Crowley, whose maxim was "Do what thou wilt".

[edit] Cover versions

  • Human Drama - PinUps (1993)
  • The Mission - Goth Oddity - A Tribute to David Bowie (1996)
  • Ventilator - Crash Course for the Ravers - A Tribute to the Songs of David Bowie (1996)
  • Tori Amos - Strange Little Girl (single) (2001)