In a world where money rules, Bowie takes us on an existential journey through the lens of a disillusioned wanderer. The protagonist seems caught in a cycle of rebellion and resignation, pushing against societal norms yet succumbing to the inevitable pull of conformity. The repeated phrase "I'm dying to" illustrates his desperate desire for change. References to "English evergreens" hint at nostalgia for home and perhaps a longing for simpler times, while "survival sex" and "honor stretching tails to necks" reflect the gritty realities of life's underbelly. Despite the bleakness, there's an underlying defiance--he won't forget his individuality nor surrender his dreams. Bowie's "Dollar Days," then, is both a critique of materialism and a poignant ode to human resilience.
