Letters in Music: "Letter to Hermione"

David Bowie (1947-2016) was undoubtedly one of the most influential musicians of his time, and also a style icon with his flamboyant outfits. On top of it all, he had a unique feature which he said gave him "mystique": his eyes, which were difficult not to notice. It seems he had anisocoria, which meant his pupils were different sizes.

This is one my favourite songs by him, "Letter to Hermione", which according to this website, was Bowie's love letter to an old girlfriend, Hermione Farthingale, who he met through his dance teacher, Lindsey Kemp. The couple lived together in London in 1968, though Farthingale would later dump Bowie for the dancer Stephen Reinhardt. Apparently, "Life on Mars" also references her.

"Letter to Hermione"

The hand that wrote this letter sweeps the pillow clean
So rest your head and read a treasured dream
I care for no one else but you, I tear my soul to cease the pain
I think maybe you feel the same, what can we do?

I'm not quite sure what we're supposed to do
So I've been writing just for you

They say your life is going very well
They say you sparkle like a different girl
But something tells me that you hide
When all the world is warm and tired
You cry a little in the dark, well so do I

I'm not quite sure what you're supposed to say
But I can see it's not okay

He makes you laugh, he brings you out in style
He treats you well and makes you up real fine
And when he's strong, he's strong for you
And when you kiss it's something new
But did you ever call my name just by mistake?

I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do
So I'll just write some love to you