Cracked Actor is the song that kicks off the second half of Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust show at the Hammersmith Odeon on 3 July 1973. During the intermission Bowie has changed his costumes once again, and emerges on to the stage in a long white cloak. As Mick Ronson’s electric guitar tips the opening chords of the song to shreds, Bowie stands illuminated in a naked spotlight. There are Japanese characters on his gown, designed by Kansai Yamamoto. What do the characters on the cape mean? 5years.com writes: ‘folklore has it that Bowie (in 1999) jokingly said that it meant “Get your potatoes here”. However, each of the Chinese letters (Chinese letters were utilized in the Japanese language when Japan didn’t have letters in ancient times) actually means (from upper to lower): “exit” or “out”, “fire”, “breath out” or “puke”, “wild” or “riot”, “force”. But as words they mean nothing!!! The letters should be pronounced (again upper to lower); “De” “Vi” (vi of video) “To” (to of tomato) “Bow” “I” and so they really read “David Bowie”! or alternately can be read as: “The man who vomits and fires out provocative words threatening violently”….’ Can you imagine a better analysis of Cracked Actor?
Written by David Bowie. Recorded 3 July 1973. Screened 1973 (US colleges); Screened 1979: Edinburgh International Film Festival; General cinema release 1983. Film and soundtrack home release October 1984. Reissued for home release (sound improved, soundtrack album expanded) 2003. Film available on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture (2003); soundtrack available on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack (2003).
