The Surprisingly Simple Yet Profound Songwriting Advice That John Lennon Gave to David Bowie, Which Transformed His Approach to Music and Helped Shape Some of His Most Iconic Hits

Few musicians have left as profound an impact on the world as John Lennon and David Bowie. Lennon, as a founding member of The Beatles, revolutionized popular music with his sharp lyricism, experimental soundscapes, and deeply personal songwriting. Bowie, the shape-shifting rock icon, constantly reinvented himself, pushing the boundaries of music, fashion, and performance art.

While their styles were vastly different, their paths crossed in meaningful ways, leading to an unexpected friendship and creative exchange. One such moment came when Lennon, known for his witty yet deeply insightful wisdom, offered Bowie a piece of songwriting advice that, while simple on the surface, would fundamentally alter his approach to music.

What exactly did Lennon tell Bowie? How did it influence Bowie’s songwriting and career? And why does this seemingly straightforward piece of advice still resonate with musicians today? Let’s explore the fascinating story behind Lennon’s impact on Bowie and the creative breakthroughs that followed.

A Friendship Built on Mutual Admiration

By the time David Bowie and John Lennon met in the mid-1970s, both were already towering figures in the music industry. Lennon had conquered the world with The Beatles and was now navigating his solo career, while Bowie had skyrocketed to fame with The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and was in the process of reinventing himself yet again.

Despite their different backgrounds and approaches, Bowie held immense admiration for Lennon, considering him one of his greatest influences. Lennon, in turn, respected Bowie’s artistry and ability to transform himself musically and visually. Their friendship developed naturally, with the two often engaging in deep conversations about music, fame, and the pressures of the industry.

It was during one of these conversations that Lennon offered Bowie a piece of advice that would leave a lasting impact.

John Lennon’s Songwriting Advice: “Just Say What You Mean”

As Bowie recalled years later, Lennon’s advice to him was startlingly simple yet deeply profound:

“Just say what you mean. Make it simpler.”

This straightforward suggestion carried enormous weight. Lennon, who had started his career writing catchy, often abstract pop lyrics with The Beatles, had evolved into one of the most direct and brutally honest songwriters of his time. Tracks like Imagine, Working Class Hero, and Jealous Guy showcased his ability to strip a song down to its emotional core, connecting with audiences in a raw and unfiltered way.

For Bowie, who had built his career on elaborate personas and conceptual storytelling, this was a revelation. He had long been known for his complex, often cryptic lyrics, which painted vivid pictures but sometimes masked the deeper emotions underneath. Lennon’s advice encouraged him to embrace a more straightforward approach—one that focused less on mystique and more on raw sincerity.

How Lennon’s Advice Influenced Bowie’s Music

From Abstract to Personal: The Evolution of Bowie’s Songwriting

While Bowie didn’t completely abandon his love for surrealism and grand narratives, Lennon’s advice nudged him toward a more introspective and direct songwriting style. This shift can be observed in some of Bowie’s later work, particularly in his Berlin Trilogy and beyond.

1. “Fame” – The Lennon-Bowie Collaboration

One of the most immediate results of their friendship was the hit song Fame, which Bowie and Lennon co-wrote in 1975. The track, which appeared on Young Americans, was a scathing critique of the dark side of celebrity life. Unlike many of Bowie’s earlier works, Fame was blunt, sharp, and unfiltered—a reflection of both Lennon’s influence and their shared disillusionment with stardom.

Lennon’s fingerprints are all over the track. His distinct backing vocals add a sarcastic, almost mocking tone, reinforcing the song’s message. Bowie later admitted that working with Lennon helped him see the power of simplicity in songwriting.

2. The Berlin Trilogy: Stripping It Down

After Young Americans and Station to Station, Bowie embarked on his now-legendary Berlin Trilogy—a trio of albums (Low, Heroes, and Lodger) that saw him shedding many of the theatrical elements of his past personas in favor of raw, experimental music.

While much of the Berlin Trilogy was driven by sonic exploration and atmospheric instrumentals, when Bowie did write lyrics, they were often more personal and direct than in his early years. “Heroes”, in particular, stands out as a song that follows Lennon’s advice. Though still poetic, its lyrics tell a clear and deeply emotional story of two lovers clinging to hope against impossible odds.

Bowie later credited Lennon’s influence as part of his willingness to embrace a more stripped-down and honest style of writing during this period.

3. Later Years: Facing Mortality Head-On

Lennon’s influence on Bowie’s songwriting became even more apparent in his later years, particularly on his final album, Blackstar (2016). Tracks like Lazarus and Dollar Days contain a raw emotional weight that feels strikingly direct, reflecting on mortality and the inevitability of death in a way that is deeply personal rather than wrapped in metaphor.

The honesty in Bowie’s final works mirrors the kind of self-reflection Lennon had been advocating all those years before. Though Bowie had always been an artist unafraid of transformation, his willingness to be vulnerable and direct in his later music is, in many ways, a fulfillment of Lennon’s simple but powerful advice.

Why Lennon’s Advice Still Resonates Today

Lennon’s suggestion to “just say what you mean” remains one of the most valuable pieces of songwriting advice ever given. In an industry where artists often feel the need to create elaborate personas, complex narratives, and cryptic lyrics, there is a timeless power in simplicity and sincerity.

Many of today’s greatest songwriters, from Taylor Swift to Billie Eilish, have embraced the idea that authenticity connects with audiences more than anything else. Listeners crave raw, unfiltered emotion—the kind that makes them feel understood and heard.

Bowie’s ability to take Lennon’s advice and incorporate it into his evolving style is a testament to his genius. He didn’t abandon his theatricality or grand storytelling, but he learned how to balance it with moments of directness and emotional clarity. That’s what made him such a lasting icon—he wasn’t afraid to grow.

Final Thoughts: A Simple Lesson with a Profound Impact

In the end, the songwriting advice John Lennon gave to David Bowie wasn’t about changing who he was as an artist—it was about refining and elevating his craft. By encouraging Bowie to embrace simplicity and directness, Lennon helped him unlock new levels of emotional depth in his music.

The result? Some of the most powerful and enduring songs in Bowie’s legendary catalog.

Lennon and Bowie may have been very different musicians, but their creative exchange serves as a reminder that even the simplest advice—when given by a master songwriter—can transform an artist’s entire approach to music.