DAVID BOWIE – Heroes (1977)

Lass dir Allesgeschehn: Schönheit und Schrecken. Man muss nur gehn: Kein Gefühl ist das fernste. “Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” (Rainer Maria Rilke)

“Heroes” is a classic song by David Bowie, released in 1977 as the title track of his album Heroes. It was co-written by Bowie and Brian Eno, and is considered one of his most iconic songs. The track was recorded during Bowie’s Berlin period at Hansa Studio, famously located near the Berlin Wall, which served as an inspiration for the song. The song is about love, resilience, and fleeting triumphs, often interpreted as a story of two lovers meeting by the Berlin Wall. Its hopeful tone contrasts with the bleakness of its setting.

“Heroes” is featured in the soundtrack of Jojo Rabbit (2019), directed by Taika Waititi. The song plays during the climactic and emotional final scenes of the movie, delivering a powerful and uplifting conclusion to the story. It starts after the liberation of Jojo’s town by Allied forces and the film’s resolution of Jojo and Elsa’s relationship. It underscores their newfound freedom and hope as they step outside into a changed world.

I, I will be king And you, you will be queen Though nothing will drive them away We can beat them, just for one day We can be heroes, just for one day

And you, you can be mean And I, I’ll drink all the time ‘Cause we’re lovers, and that is a fact Yes we’re lovers, and that is that Though nothing will keep us together We could steal time just for one day We can be heroes for ever and ever What d’you say?

I, I wish you could swim Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim Though nothing, nothing will keep us together We can beat them, for ever and ever Oh we can be Heroes, just for one day

I, I will be king And you, you will be queen Though nothing will drive them away We can be Heroes, just for one day We can be us, just for one day

I, I can remember (I remember) Standing, by the wall (by the wall) And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads) And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall) And the shame, was on the other side Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever Then we could be Heroes, just for one day

We can be Heroes We can be Heroes We can be Heroes Just for one day We can be Heroes

We’re nothing, and nothing will help us Maybe we’re lying, then you better not stay But we could be safer, just for one day

Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day