As the World Falls Down
Encyclopedia
"As the World Falls Down" is a song written by David Bowie
in 1986
for the soundtrack of the film Labyrinth
.
The song is the backdrop for an illusion which Jareth
the Goblin King (Bowie) builds around Sarah (Jennifer Connelly
) through the use of an enchanted peach. The illusion is of a masquerade ball
inside a bubble. Sarah is the only character in this scene without a mask, though Jareth removes his mask earlier in the scene.
The scene coupled with the song has been interpreted many ways, some believe that the illusion is an attempt by Jareth to win Sarah's love; others believe he is trying to seduce her to distract her from the 13 hour time limit she has to rescue her brother Toby. or the third choice that it could be a double intention, as in Jareth is trying to do both.
Yet another theory is that the crystal ball represents everything Sarah wants and what Jareth is promising her; endless parties, dancing, glamor, fame, attention from a King, beautiful friends and adoration from all. As the scene becomes more sinister and she sees things for what they really are, however, Sarah is overcome with the realization that the world of the crystal is superficial, frightening and bizarre and not what she wants after all. Jareth's professed love for Sarah may be, in fact, a trap to turn her into a goblin. It is with this realization that she smashes the crystal ball and returns to the world of the Labyrinth for Jareth's last attempt to divert Sarah from her goal of rescuing Toby before he is turned into a goblin.
A video for "As the World Falls Down" was mooted for a Christmas 1986 single release, with a 3:40 edit and a video made by Steve Barron
. However, this release was cancelled, for reasons that are still largely unknown.
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
in 1986
1986 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
for the soundtrack of the film Labyrinth
Labyrinth (film)
Labyrinth is a 1986 British/American fantasy film directed by Jim Henson, produced by George Lucas, and designed by Brian Froud. Henson collaborated on the screenwriting with children's author Dennis Lee, Terry Jones from Monty Python, and Elaine May .The film stars David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin...
.
The song is the backdrop for an illusion which Jareth
Jareth
Jareth, the Goblin King is a fictional character in the 1986 fantasy movie Labyrinth. Jareth is a powerful, mysterious creature who has an antagonistic yet strangely flirtatious relationship with Sarah , the film's teenage heroine...
the Goblin King (Bowie) builds around Sarah (Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Lynn Connelly is an American film actress, who began her career as a child model. She appeared in magazine, newspaper and television advertising, before making her motion picture debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America...
) through the use of an enchanted peach. The illusion is of a masquerade ball
Masquerade ball
A masquerade ball is an event which the participants attend in costume wearing a mask. - History :...
inside a bubble. Sarah is the only character in this scene without a mask, though Jareth removes his mask earlier in the scene.
The scene coupled with the song has been interpreted many ways, some believe that the illusion is an attempt by Jareth to win Sarah's love; others believe he is trying to seduce her to distract her from the 13 hour time limit she has to rescue her brother Toby. or the third choice that it could be a double intention, as in Jareth is trying to do both.
Yet another theory is that the crystal ball represents everything Sarah wants and what Jareth is promising her; endless parties, dancing, glamor, fame, attention from a King, beautiful friends and adoration from all. As the scene becomes more sinister and she sees things for what they really are, however, Sarah is overcome with the realization that the world of the crystal is superficial, frightening and bizarre and not what she wants after all. Jareth's professed love for Sarah may be, in fact, a trap to turn her into a goblin. It is with this realization that she smashes the crystal ball and returns to the world of the Labyrinth for Jareth's last attempt to divert Sarah from her goal of rescuing Toby before he is turned into a goblin.
A video for "As the World Falls Down" was mooted for a Christmas 1986 single release, with a 3:40 edit and a video made by Steve Barron
Steve Barron
Steven "Steve" Barron is a director and producer, best known for directing the films Coneheads , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the innovative music videos for a-ha's "Take on Me" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"....
. However, this release was cancelled, for reasons that are still largely unknown.
Other releases
- It was also released as a bonus track on the Virgin Records re-release of Tonight in 1995.
- The video has been released on the Best of David Bowie DVD 2 Disc Set on November 19, 2002
- It was covered by the American-Punk band Girl In A ComaGirl in a ComaGirl In a Coma is a rock band from San Antonio, Texas on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records' label. The band is made up of Mexican-American sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz and long-time friend, Jenn Alva . The name is a reference to The Smiths' song Girlfriend in a Coma...
for their third studio album.
Cover versions
- Ce Ce Zen – Spiders from Venus: Indie Women Artists and Female-Fronted Bands Cover David Bowie (2003)
- Flutter – .2 Contamination: A Tribute to David Bowie (2006)
- Girl in a Coma - "Adventures in Coverland, Vol. 2" [Vinyl] (2010)