About the song
Released in 1977 as the title track of his twelfth studio album, “Heroes” stands as one of David Bowie’s most iconic and emotionally resonant works. Written by Bowie and Brian Eno during his Berlin period, the song emerged from a time of personal reinvention, sonic experimentation, and Cold War tension. Though it wasn’t a commercial hit upon release, “Heroes” gradually ascended to legendary status — becoming a symbol of hope, defiance, and fleeting transcendence.
Recorded at Hansa Studio in West Berlin, just steps away from the Berlin Wall, the song was shaped as much by its setting as by Bowie’s artistic vision. It is now widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of the 20th century — not just a Bowie classic, but a cultural monument.
The story and style
At its core, “Heroes” is about two lovers who share a brief, defiant moment of connection “standing by the wall,” possibly separated by the divide of East and West Berlin. The lyrics are deceptively simple, with repetition reinforcing the desperation and intensity of the moment:
“We can be heroes / just for one day.”
Bowie’s delivery starts restrained, almost weary, but it builds steadily into a triumphant, near-hysterical crescendo. It’s a love song, but it’s also about resistance — the kind of emotional resistance that insists on hope and human connection, even when the world is bleak and divided.
Inspired by a real-life couple Bowie saw kissing near the Berlin Wall (reportedly including producer Tony Visconti and backup singer Antonia Maaß), the song’s emotional power lies in its impermanence. The love may be doomed, but it still matters. It still means something.
The sound and production
Musically, “Heroes” is driven by Eno’s ambient textures and Robert Fripp’s (of King Crimson) soaring, feedback-drenched guitar lines. The recording technique was groundbreaking: Visconti used a multi-microphone setup with gating effects that made Bowie’s voice sound increasingly vast as the song progressed — physically requiring him to sing louder and more passionately with each verse.
The result is a song that doesn’t just build — it erupts. Layer by layer, it swells into something almost uncontrollable, as if the music itself is straining to break free from emotional and physical confinement. The song doesn’t follow a conventional pop structure; instead, it climbs toward a cathartic peak and then hangs there, breathless.
Legacy and cultural impact
Though it only reached modest chart positions in 1977, “Heroes” gained stature over time, becoming one of Bowie’s most celebrated songs. It has been used in countless films, television series, and political contexts — from The Perks of Being a Wallflower to Olympic ceremonies to tributes after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The song was played at Bowie’s own memorial and covered by artists ranging from Peter Gabriel to Motörhead. After the September 11 attacks and again after Bowie’s death in 2016, “Heroes” resurfaced as an anthem for resilience.
It also gave its name to one of the three albums in Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy (Low, “Heroes”, Lodger) — a period that remains one of the most influential in modern music.
Final thoughts
“Heroes” is more than just a love song. It’s a hymn to the small, beautiful acts of bravery that occur in the face of oppression, despair, or transience. In under seven minutes, David Bowie turned an intimate, fleeting moment into a universal cry — one that transcends borders, ideologies, and decades.
With its sweeping production, impassioned vocals, and aching sincerity, “Heroes” remains a shining example of Bowie’s ability to turn personal fragments into myth. It reminds us that even if heroism lasts only a day, sometimes a day is enough to change everything.
Video
Lyrics
I, I will be kingAnd you, you will be queenThough nothing will drive them awayWe can beat them, just for one dayWe can be heroes, just for one dayAnd you, you can be meanAnd I, I’ll drink all the time‘Cause we’re lovers, and that is a factYes we’re lovers, and that is thatThough nothing will keep us togetherWe could steal time just for one dayWe can be heroes for ever and everWhat d’you say?I, I wish you could swimLike the dolphins, like dolphins can swimThough nothing, nothing will keep us togetherWe can beat them, for ever and everOh we can be Heroes, just for one dayI, I will be kingAnd you, you will be queenThough nothing will drive them awayWe can be Heroes, just for one dayWe can be us, just for one dayI, I can remember (I remember)Standing, by the wall (by the wall)And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)And the shame, was on the other sideOh we can beat them, for ever and everThen we could be Heroes, just for one dayWe can be HeroesWe can be HeroesWe can be HeroesJust for one dayWe can be HeroesWe’re nothing, and nothing will help usMaybe we’re lying, then you better not stayBut we could be safer, just for one dayOh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day