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‘I’ll be free’: David Bowie’s parting gift to fans

Getty

Getty

Fans are speculating the meaning of David Bowie’s final album, released just days before his death to coincide with his 69th birthday, which has been described as the rock icon’s “parting gift”.

News of Bowie’s death broke on Monday, three days after the release of Blackstar, with his family confirming he passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Long-time producer Tony Visconti described Blackstar as Bowie’s “parting gift”.

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“He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it,” Visconti posted on Facebook.

The 40-minute-long album included seven tracks, but it was the lyrics of song ‘Lazarus’ which sparked a reaction among fans.

In an eery film clip that opens with a blindfolded, button-eyed Bowie writhing on a hospital bed, he sings: “Look up here, I’m in heaven, I’ve got scars that can’t be seen, I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen, everybody knows me now.”

The final verse concludes: “Oh, I’ll be free, just like that bluebird. Oh, I’ll be free, ain’t that just like me.”

Fans have taken to social media to discuss whether the song was meant to reveal Bowie knew his time was running short.

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