David Bowie - Cracked Actor Meaning

Cracked Actor Lyrics

I've come on a few years from my Hollywood Highs
The best of the last, the cleanest star they ever had

I'm stiff on my legend,
the films that I made
Forget that I'm fifty
cause you just got paid

[CHORUS]
Crack, baby, crack,
show me...

1. MajorTom

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   Jun 25th 2020 !⃝

   It is about a person damaged inside, lonely and well... cracked. He (probably it's about a male) cannot connect with other people in the normal way, because of his toxic personality. So he 'hangs out' with prostitutes who cater his needs for closeness, love, being seen and appreciated but they give just the illusion of what he needs. He begs them to stay (after chorus), save him from his self-destructive behavior and loneliness but at the same time, he treats them cruelly and dehumanizingly to make them feel as bad as he feels. He is frustrated because of his not being glad by what he accomplished and this is so much that most people do not dare to dream about.
   That reminds me of Bojack Horseman at times.
2. anonymous

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   Jul 12th 2017 !⃝

   As an English major @ university, I wrote & delivered orally a paper comparing ‘Cracked Actor’ to Robert Frost’s poem, ‘Provide Provide’ – which is also about an aging star who’s limelight had faded & who has to pay people to hang out with him.
   Google the poem & compare the lyrics – I received an A for the paper (the Prof had never read any of Bowie's lyrics), caught the attention of the English Department Head & was offered a job tutoring English at the school’s Drop-In Center.
   : )
3. anonymous

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   Jan 21st 2016 !⃝

   Let david bowie figure it out.......i don't have all day.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
4. anonymous

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   Oct 5th 2008 !⃝

   This is based on Bowie's experiences in LA. According to Bowie, it was difficult to tell the actors from the prostitutes on the streets.