Meaning of We Are Hungry Men by David Bowie

In the haunting track "We Are Hungry Men" by David Bowie, the iconic artist explores the theme of overpopulation and its potential consequences. Released in 1967 on his self-titled debut album, this song delves into bold and thought-provoking subject matter that was ahead of its time.The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone for the overarching theme. The spoken-word introduction states the latest world population figures, emphasizing the alarming rate at which it is growing. Bowie mentions cities like London, New York, Paris, and China, all with staggering population numbers. These lyrics establish the song's main concern with overpopulation, a theme that Bowie explores throughout the composition.One standout lyric that delves deeper into this theme is "The world will overpopulate unless you claim infertility, so who will buy a drink for me, your messiah?" Here, Bowie poses the idea of individuals voluntarily choosing to be infertile to combat the pressing issue of overpopulation. By raising the notion of buying him a drink, Bowie casts himself as a messiah figure, urging listeners to embrace this radical solution. This lyric highlights the desperation and urgency surrounding this theme.Another striking lyric in "We Are Hungry Men" is "The crops are few, the cattle gone, there's only one way to linger on." Bowie suggests that dwindling resources and a depleted food supply may force humanity to adopt extreme measures in order to survive. This evokes themes of scarcity and survival, underscoring the consequences of overpopulation when resources become finite.The bridge, with the lyrics "