David Bowie Talks About How Being An Artist Is To Be ‘Dysfunctional’

He Called It “A Loony Kind of Thing”

In an interview with Charlie Rose aired on March 31, 1988, David Bowie talked about his music, film, and art. He also discussed how it was like living with fellow rock icon and rebel Iggy Pop. First of all, let’s just point out how much we miss interviews like this – the laid-back vibe and with Bowie smoking a cigarette, it gave off that certain feel that they were simply two friends conversing over beer.

It’s so relaxed and intimate.

And so going back to his artistry, Bowie admitted: “I think – I have often wondered if actually – being an artist in any way – any nature is a kind of a sign of a certain kind of dysfunction, a social dysfunctionalism, anyway. It’s an extraordinary thing to want to do, to express yourself in such – in such rarefied terms.”

He added, “I think there’s a, I think it’s a loony kind of thing to want to do. I think the saner and rational approach to life is to survive steadfastly and create a protective home and create a warm loving environment for one’s family and get food for them That’s about it. That’s actually, anything else is extra. All culture is extra. Culture is – you know, that’s – I guess, it’s a freebie.”

Watch the rest of the interview below.