On Jan. 10 the world lost yet another rock icon, David Bowie.

His death of liver cancer has shocked the world not only due to the fact of his worldwide fame, but also because nobody had known of his condition prior to his death other than family.

For 18 months David and his family knew what the inevitable would be, so he put himself to work to release a seven-song album, which he called, “Blackstar.”

His 25th and final album was released on Jan. 8, his birthday, and two days before his death. The title track, “Blackstar,” and the single, “Lazarus,” frequently allude to his death. For example, in “Lazarus,” released Dec. 17, the first lyric is “Look up here, I’m in heaven.” A line that was initially taken lightly by listeners now reveals the true circumstances leaving fans in disbelief and shock.

The music videos that accompany the singles are also made to be his reaction to his death. Each one features Bowie with bandages covering his eyes, but with black buttons sewn into them to emulate his eyes.

The lyrics and videos for the singles have both been heavily analyzed by fans. Some even going so far as stating that Bowie had been a satanist due to the odd rituals in the music video, “Blackstar.” However, in “Lazarus” there hasn’t been as much speculation behind the meaning of the lyrics and video.

Although “Lazarus” is fairly straight to the point, it has been proved to be a difficult video for fans to watch. Twitter user, Matthew Ryan, @MattiRaz, expressed his opinion on the emotion filled video on Twitter.

“I’ve just seen the video for Bowie’s Lazarus. I am literally lost for words. Heart-breaking,” Ryan said.

The video depicts Bowie performing his song while in a hospital bed with the same bandaged eyes as in “Blackstar.” As he is in this vulnerable state he sings of how he’s in danger and has nothing left to lose; by doing this he has given the world an insight to the emotional trauma he had endured.

Despite the limited time, both David and his producer, Tony Visconti, felt as if they had more time to produce yet another album to follow up “Blackstar.” At this time, Bowie had already written and demoed five new songs.

“I was thrilled, and I thought, and he thought, that he’d have a few months, at least. Obviously, if he’s excited about doing his next album, he must’ve thought he had a few more months,” Visconti said.

On the days leading up to his death it was evident that his close ones knew that the end was near. His wife, Iman, had posted nearly a dozen photos of her husband on her Instagram page as well as quotes.

“Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” and “The struggle is real, but so is God,” the pictures on Iman’s Instagram page said.

Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, spoke out briefly on his father’s passing and how his father had impacted him.

“He gave me the time and support to find my feet and the confidence to do what I do,” Jones said.

The family of the late singer have also spoken out on his official Facebook page thanking the fans for their support, but also request privacy during this time.

“We are overwhelmed by and grateful for the love and support shown throughout the world,” his family said according to Bowie’s official Facebook page.

Fans have also shown an outpouring of support and memorial for the late singer. In Bowie’s hometown, Brixton, fans have gathered to pay tribute to the rocker by covering songs such as “Starman,” “Space Oddity,” and “Rebel Rebel” as well as leaving gifts such as flowers in front of a mural of the singer’s alter ego, Aladdin Sane.  

David Bowie changed the music world by single handedly pioneering the genre of glam rock, performing with an androgynous nature, and adopting alter egos to enhance his music. Fans across the world have paid tribute to the artist and have ensured his legacy lives on.

by LINDSAY LUCAS