Lazarus

Written by: David Bowie
Recorded: 3 January; 23, 24 April; 7 May 2015
Producers: David Bowie, Tony Visconti

Released: 17 December 2015

Available on:
Blackstar
No Plan EP
Legacy
Moonage Daydream

Personnel

‘Lazarus’ was the final single released in David Bowie’s lifetime. It was also the second song to be released ahead of the ★ (Blackstar) album.

When I read the lyrics to ‘Lazarus’ and a few other songs, I knew what he was doing. I think it was clear in his mind that this could be his last album. He was putting all those messages in there. Like that first verse of ‘Lazarus’ – “Look up here, I’m in heaven”. I heard that and I smiled. “I know what you’re saying David,” and he laughed.

The song shared its title with Bowie’s 2015 musical; indeed, his final public appearance was at the Lazarus premiere in New York on 7 December.

Although Bowie never performed ‘Lazarus’ in public, he did sing it with the stage show’s musicians during one rehearsal.

Bowie enjoyed the process and camaraderie, sometimes hanging out with cast and crew long after formal work had ended. [Henry] Hey recalls an early run-through of the show when, after the band finished, Hey asked Bowie, “Is everything OK? Would you like anything else?” “Yes,” replied Bowie. “I think I’d like a sing.” He and the band then performed the song ‘Lazarus’ together.

The song ‘Lazarus’ started life as ‘Bluebird’. Bowie considered working on the song with Maria Schneider in 2014, following the session for ‘Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)’.

In the summer of 2014, Bowie recorded a demo of the song, now retitled ‘The Hunger’, with Tony Visconti, drummer Zachary Alford, and pianist Jack Spann.

In addition to being on Blackstar, ‘Lazarus’ was included twice on the soundtrack to the musical of the same name. A performance by Michael C Hall was recorded in the studio on 11 January 2016, and Bowie’s version was one of four bonus tracks at the album’s end.

Michael C Hall performing ‘Lazarus’ with the play’s original New York musicians, live at the National Arts Club on Gramercy Park, Manhattan:

A snippet of Bowie singing “Ain’t that just like me” from ‘Lazarus’ was included on the soundtrack of Brett Morgen’s 2022 film Moonage Daydream, at the end of ‘Cygnet Committee’.