The Surprising Fear of David Bowie: How a Song by Bruce Springsteen Changed His Perspective on Underground Rail Services
David Bowie, known for his fearless approach to music, had a surprising fear triggered by a song. Despite not having common phobias like heights or spiders, Bowie developed a fear of using underground rail services after hearing Bruce Springsteen's song 'It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City'. The vivid description of the subway in the song evoked a strong sensory response in Bowie, leading him to proclaim that he never rode the subway again after hearing it for the first time. Despite the song not being menacing, Bowie's fear was a result of the detailed and evocative lyrics about the subway environment. Springsteen's storytelling qualities in the song left a lasting impression on Bowie, despite his eventual cover of the song showing his appreciation for it as a work of art. Bowie's fear of trains seemed to dissipate quickly, as evidenced by his later music that featured themes of public transport.