David Bowie, the iconic British musician, passed away on Sunday, January 10 — but while his death was a shock to his legions of fans around the world, the artist's long-term producer and friend Tony Visconti has revealed Bowie had planned his latest album as his swan song.
Released just two days ago, on the day of the music legend's 69th birthday, Bowie's album Blackstar was his "parting gift" to world, Visconti wrote in a Facebook post on Monday, January 11.
And his album and latest single "Lazarus" (the video for which was released on Thursday, January 7, and featured the “Starman” hitmaker writhing around in a hospital bed) were part of Bowie's artistic plan for his passing, Visconti explains.
"He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way," the producer wrote in his post.
"His death was no different from his life — a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry."
Bowie's death and his year-and-a-half battle against cancer were announced on his official Facebook page late on Sunday. And as news of his passing broke, fans immediately looked at his new single in a new and poignant light
"Look up here, I'm in heaven," Bowie sings, going on to say he has "nothing left to lose," and eventually declaring he will soon be "free like a bluebird."
The video, which can be seen in full above, is also especially moving in light of the news of his death and recent health battles.
The British singer is seen trapped in what appears to be a hospital bed, his eyes wrapped in bandages with buttons attached where his eyes should be.
"Dang. feels a whole world different watching the video for Lazarus today than it did a few days ago," one Twitter user wrote.
"Leave it to Bowie to not only write his own epitaph, but sing it and make a video of it too. Beautiful man. RIP," added another.
