DAVID BOWIE – Criminal World (1983)

Bowie’s “Criminal World” is a track from his 1983 album Let’s Dance, but it was originally written and recorded by the British band Metro in 1977. Bowie’s version smooths out the edgier, darker elements of the original, transforming it into a sleek, sultry piece that fits well within the polished, danceable aesthetic of Let’s Dance.

The song itself has an understated sensuality, driven by a slow, grooving beat and Bowie’s signature vocal delivery—cool yet intense. Lyrically, it retains an air of illicit romance and mystery, though Bowie’s version is less explicitly provocative than Metro’s. Given the Let’s Dance production, Nile Rodgers’ influence is evident in the clean, radio-friendly arrangement, but there’s still a lingering moodiness beneath the surface.

You never told me of your other faces, you were the widow of a wild cat And now I know about your special kisses and I know you know, that is that I guess I recognize your destination, I think I see beneath your makeup? What you want is so-separation, this is no ordinary, this is no ordinary world (oh, oh)

What a criminal world, the boys are like baby-faced girls What a criminal girl, she’ll show you where to shoot your gun (gun, gun) What a typical mothers son, the only thing that she enjoys Is a criminal world, where the girls are like baby-faced boys (boys, boys)

You’ve got a very heavy reputation, but no-one knows about your low-life I know a way to find a situation and hold a candle to your high-life disguise You caught me kneeling at your sister’s door, that was no ordinary stick-up I’m well aware just what you’re looking for, I am no ordinary, I am no ordinary guy (oh, oh)

What a criminal world, the boys are like baby-faced boys What a criminal girl, she’ll show you where to shoot your gun (gun, gun) What a typical mothers son, the only thing that she enjoys Is a criminal world, where the girls are like baby-faced boys (boys, boys)

Baby-faced boys (boys, boys) Baby-face What a criminal world (world, world) What a criminal Criminal

What a criminal world What a criminal Criminal