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About

Genius Annotation

A bittersweet song about love and ambition, “Valentine’s Day,” shows us how quickly a young heart can turn cold and turn violent.

It concerns Valentine, who is telling his friend about the violent outburst he has planned for their school.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

How does the music video support the song's meaning?
Genius Answer

“Valentine’s Day” tells the story of a school shooting, as confirmed by producer Tony Visconti.

In the music video, Bowie is dressed in white playing his guitar. However, in some scenes, Bowie can be seen holding his guitar as a weapon:

The shadows cast by his guitar also display a gun in some scenes. Additionally, Bowie’s white outfit could also symbolise the innocence of those killed in the shooting.

What has Tony Visconti said about "Valentine's Day"?
Genius Answer

Speaking to NME, Visconti revealed:

The subject matter is pretty scary. It’s related to people who go postal, about people who acquire a gun and do awful things with it.

Additionally, speaking to The London Times, Visconti also said:

The issue for him isn’t so much guns but the mental health of the shooter.

How did "Valentine's Day" chart?
Genius Answer
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