We’ve all been there – sitting across the table from a friend, family member, or even a stranger, listening to them tell us who we are, what we should do, and how we should feel. It’s as if they’ve suddenly become experts on our lives, dishing out judgements and advice based on a limited snapshot of our existence. But what happens when you’ve had enough of the unsolicited life coaching? German indie artist Bowie answers this question with a resounding “No one knows me better than I do!” in her latest single, No One Knows Me Better.
The track is the second single from her upcoming EP, The Right Way Up, set to release this November. Bowie is no stranger to the pressures of public opinion. From fan DMs to social media comments, she’s been told how to be “authentic,” how to feel, and what is supposedly good for her. But with this single, she’s settling the score and reclaiming her narrative.
Musically, No One Knows Me Better is a well-crafted track. It starts off stripped down, with Bowie’s vocals laid bare – without embellishments. As the song progresses, the bass drops, and we’re treated to a sonic landscape that accentuates the subject matter. You cannot help but marvel at her creativity. Listen closely, and you’ll notice that each chorus is written in a different key, revealing a different facet of the same punchline.
The lyrics are a window into Bowie’s journey towards self-awareness. Lines like “They never truly ask; they only ever talk and bathe in their own truth” resonate deeply in a world where everyone seems to have an opinion about everyone else. The song is a manifesto against the culture of unsolicited advice and judgment. It’s a call to action – to listen more and assume less.
EVERYBODY KNOWS ME
SO MUCH BETTER THAN I DO
EVERYBODY TELLS ME
I DON’T REALLY HAVE A CLUE
THEY NEVER TRULY ASK
THEY ONLY EVER TALK
AND BATHE IN THEIR OWN TRUTH
THEY NEVER WANNA HEAR
THEY SEE IT ALL SO CLEAR
LIKE YOU
Bowie’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. In January 2023, she was chosen by VOGUE, along with Nina Chuba and Esther Graf, as one of the six most promising uprising female artists of 2023. Currently, you can catch her performing this anthem live on stage while supporting artists such as BOSSE or Johannes Oerding.
No One Knows Me Better is a statement, a declaration of independence from the tyranny of public opinion. It’s Bowie kicking people out of their comfort zones and inviting them to take her as she is – no filters, no pretense, just raw, unadulterated self. So the next time someone tries to tell you how to live your life, maybe it’s time to turn up the volume on this track and let Bowie do the talking.
In a world quick to judge and slow to understand, No One Knows Me Better serves as a timely reminder that the only expert on you is you. And that’s a truth worth singing about.