Working class hero
David Bowie · Tin machine
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Keep you doped wit religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
Working Class Hero
David Bowie's interpretation of "Working Class Hero" on the Tin Machine album marks a distinct departure from his earlier solo work. Formed in the mid-1980s, Tin Machine represented Bowie's shift toward a harder-edged rock sound, often characterized by a raw, unpolished energy that contrasted with his previous glam and art-rock experiments. This cover of the classic John Lennon composition fits within the band's broader exploration of rock fundamentals, stripping away the theatricality often associated with Bowie's solo career. The recording captures the band's collaborative dynamic during this period, focusing on rhythmic drive and vocal intensity rather than elaborate production. It stands as a testament to the group's willingness to reinterpret established material through their own gritty lens, contributing to a discography defined by experimentation and a return to rock roots.