On "Fame"

An extract from my Celebrity Cultures Portfolio, a 250 word reflection written on a lecture about the concept of "Fame"

Of all the concepts discussed in this first lecture, there was one in particular that caught my attention, namely the discussion of Bowie’s self-awareness regarding fame. It seemed he felt contempt for celebrity status, and showed a deep understanding of the consequences of being too tempted by the glittering allure of this lifestyle. This superficial approach is illustrated both in his lyrics for ‘Fame’ and the 'I couldn't care less' attitude he brought to his performance of this tune on the Cher Show.

This attitude reminded me of another hero of mine, Poly Styrene. You need only look at the titles of the songs on Germfree Adolescents to understand struggling with identity is a prominent theme for Poly. This was further complicated by X-Ray Spex’s short lived success which was brought about by Poly’s disdain for the criticism that came with fame. In songs like ‘I’m a Poseur’ and ‘I am a Cliché’ she explores the same superficiality that Bowie notices about fame, and in a similar way she leans into it. Poly criticised the fast-fashion aspect of the music industry, applying it not only to clothing but to the people, suggesting fame is fickle. She investigates how ‘real’ one can be not only as a celebrity but in life in general, and also hints at the release that comes with accepting that everyone is faking something.

Poly Styrene, 1977