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  1. Tracks
  2. David Bowie
  3. Heathen
  4. Afraid

TRACK

David Bowie

Afraid

Release date: 10th June 2002

From Heathen
Spotify
More on David Bowie

About This Track

'Afraid' by David Bowie is a track from 'Heathen' released in 2002. In its verses, the speaker measures themselves against impossible upgrades, smarter, taller, less lost, and insists that “Things really matter to me”, even as they try to turn anxiety into hope. The pre-chorus widens that hope into a kind of communal reassurance, with beliefs that they are not alone and that the soul can grow. The chorus returns to self-doubt, landing on fear as a permanent companion, framed as a feeling that persists rather than a crisis that resolves.

"Afraid" is a track by David Bowie, from the album Heathen, released 10th June 2002. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 4 articles about David Bowie.

About the Artist

David Bowie

David Bowie

Lyrics

Afraid

[Verse 1]

I wish I was smarter

I got so lost on the shore

I wish I was taller

Things really matter to me

[Pre-Chorus]

But I put my face in tomorrow

I believe we're not alone

I believe in Beatles

I believe my little soul has grown

[Chorus]

And I'm still so afraid

Yes, I'm still so afraid

Yeah, I'm still so afraid

On my own

On my own

[Verse 2]

What made my life so wonderful?

What made me feel so bad?

I used to wake up the ocean

I used to walk on clouds

[Pre-Chorus]

If I put faith in medication

If I can smile a crooked smile

If I can talk on television

If I can walk an empty mile

[Chorus]

Then I won't feel afraid

No, I won't feel afraid

I won't be, be afraid anymore

[Outro]

Anymore (And then I just won't be afraid)

Anymore (And then I just won't be afraid)

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Heathen

2002
Listen
Album
Heathen
Heathen
David Bowie
Release year
2002
  1. —Sunday
  2. —Slip Away
  3. —Everyone Says 'Hi'
  4. —Cactus
  5. —Afraid
  6. —Heathen (The Rays)
  7. —I Would Be Your Slave
  8. —5:15 The Angels Have Gone
  9. —A Better Future
  10. —I've Been Waiting for You
  11. —I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship

More from David Bowie

Albums & EPs

A Lad In Japan
2025
Under Japanese Influence
2025
So Long 60s, Hello 70s (Rarities And More)
2025
King For A Day
2025
I'm Deranged EP
2025
The Man Who Rocked The World (Live UK TV Performances 1995 - 2000)
2025

Explore

More tracks by David Bowie

  1. 5:15 The Angels Have Gone (Live)
  2. 5:15 The Angels Have Gone (SACD Mix)
  3. A Better Future (SACD Mix)
  4. Everyone Says 'Hi' (Metro Remix Radio Edit)
  5. Everyone Says 'Hi' (Radio Edit)
  6. Five Years (Live At Fashion Rocks, 08/09/05)
  7. Heathen (The Rays) (Live in Berlin, 22/09/02)
  8. I Can’t Give Everything Away (Radio Edit)
  9. I'd Rather Be High (Venetian Mix Alt)
  10. I've Been Waiting For You (SACD Mix)

Showing 10 of 20

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Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer
David Bowie
Producer
David Bowie, Tony Visconti
Bass
Mark Plati
Drums
Sterling Campbell
Guitar
Gerry Leonard, Mark Plati
Keyboards
David Bowie, Jordan Rudess
Vocals
David Bowie, Kristeen Young
Acoustic Guitar
David Bowie, Mark Plati
Arranger
Tony Visconti
Background Vocals
David Bowie, Tony Visconti
Horns
David Bowie, Lenny Pickett, Stan Harrison, Steve Elson, The Borneo Horns
Mastering Engineer
Emily Lazar
Mixing Engineer
Tony Visconti
Omnichord
David Torn
Piano
Kristeen Young
Recording Engineer
Tony Visconti
Strings
Greg Kitzis, Lisa Germano, Martha Mooke, Meg Okura, The Scorchio Quartet
Synthesizer
David Bowie
READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIE
READ MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIEREAD MORE ABOUT DAVID BOWIE
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