‘As The World Falls Down’ (From Labyrinth – 1986)
Written for the iconic cult classic, Labyrinth, ‘As The World Falls Down’ is one of Bowie’s most beautiful and enchanting songs. The gentle serenade features in the film’s dream sequence, in which Jareth the Goblin King (Bowie) attempts to charm the young Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) into an extravagant masquerade. Exemplifying that scene’s hazy, dream-like quality, the track features cascading guitar riffs, a gorgeous twinkling piano-based melody and a seductive underlying bass line.
Meanwhile, the song’s lyrics, which are huskily breathed by Bowie, muse on a melancholic romance (“As the pain sweeps through / makes no sense for you / every thrill has gone / wasn’t too much fun at all / but I’ll be there for you / as the world falls down.”) The combination of all these elements make for a song which is as easy to lose yourself in as the eponymous Labyrinth. Though underrated, ‘As The World Falls Down’ is a testament to Bowie’s talents as an actor, producer and musician.
Words by Annie Honeyball
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VppuD1St8Ec&w=740&h=422]