Meaning of "Janine" by David Bowie

"Janine" reveals an intricate relationship dynamic between Bowie and Janine. He is drawn to her, but also feels overwhelmed and threatened by her intensity. The line "Like a Polish wanderer, I travel ever onwards to your land" suggests that Bowie is willing to go to great lengths to be with her, even if it means leaving his own cultural context behind. However, he quickly realizes that Janine's demands and attempts to infiltrate his mind would overpower him. He wants to keep a sense of autonomy and maintain his own identity. This struggle is depicted in the line "I've got to keep my veil on my face," implying that Bowie is keeping a facade to protect himself from being consumed by Janine. At the same time, Bowie recognizes that there are parts of himself that he cannot face or understand, as evidenced by the line "I've got things inside my head that even I can't face." The song suggests that despite the allure and attraction, there is an inherent danger in fully surrendering to Janine and losing oneself in the process.

Janine's character is portrayed as both enchanting and potentially destructive. She is described as "fey," implying a mystical quality, but also a sense of unpredictability. Bowie warns her not to disrupt his thoughts or cross certain boundaries, threatening to shout her down if she stands on his toes. He uses metaphors like a "lazy stream" to depict Janine as a force that could drown his thoughts and overwhelm him completely. Throughout the song, he navigates the delicate balance between being captivated by Janine and recognizing his own need for self-preservation.