Changes, one of David Bowie’s first songs released in the U.S., was a sign of things to come. Bowie was 25 in 1972 at the time the single was released and is perhaps best remembered for personal reinvention throughout his life.
I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
And every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test
~ David Bowie, Changes
It’s fitting that Changes was the last song Bowie performed on stage in 2006. At the time no one knew that this performance with Alicia Keyes, at her annual Black Ball charity event, would be his retirement from live performance at age 59.
I’d like to think that Bowie went into retirement still believing in change. The concept of reinventing retirement is prevalent today. With so many retiring early and searching for a more meaningful lifestyle, the only thing certain is change!