☝️ Key Points
- The song is about how reaching heaven (a happy and fulfilled existence) is not easy.
- It is metaphorically described how climbing a mountain and looking down at the sea, reflecting on the whereabouts of a young man.
- The chorus emphasizes that it is difficult to find happiness when one is in a difficult or bad situation.
- Bowie emphasizes that everyone has their own problems, but with the help of the good Lord, we can all endure and achieve our goal.
- The lyrics also mention the joy and satisfaction Bowie feels from loving a Hoochie Koochie woman, as a metaphor for the needs and desires of other people.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "It Ain't Easy" by
David Bowie are about how reaching heaven (a happy and fulfilled existence) is not easy. Bowie metaphorically describes climbing a mountain and looking out at the sea while wondering where a young man could be. Then jumping back onto the rooftops and looking down at the city while reflecting on all the strange things happening there.
The chorus "It ain't easy, it ain't easy, it ain't easy to get to heaven when you're going down" emphasizes that it is difficult to find happiness when in a difficult or bad situation.
Bowie also emphasizes that everyone has their own problems, but with the help of the good Lord, we can all endure and reach our goal in the end. Sometimes it goes up and sometimes it goes down, but with patience and perseverance, we can make it.
The lyrics also mention the joy and satisfaction Bowie feels from the love of a Hoochie Koochie woman. She calls to him from inside and wants him to give her something. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the needs and desires of other people who are also seeking love and support.
Overall, the song lyrics express the challenges of life but also the hope and belief that we can endure and ultimately find happiness. It reminds us that it's not easy, but we are strong enough to overcome these difficulties.