One Year Later, A Look At David Bowie's 'Lazarus' Video Goodbye

Remembering the icon one year after his death.
|

David Bowie left us with a heartbreaking parting gift prior to his death one year ago Tuesday, and it came in the form of a music video.

Bowie died Jan. 10, 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Just days before the music icon left this world, he unveiled the powerful clip for “Lazarus,” a track off his 2016 “Blackstar” album. The video finds a fragile-looking Bowie in a hospital bed, at points blindfolded. The accompanying lyrics hint at his cancer battle: “Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen.” 

In the ending shot, Bowie retreats into a wooden wardrobe and closes the door, making this more than just a music video.

This was Bowie’s goodbye. 

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

David Bowie Throughout The Years
(01 of17)
Open Image Modal
Photo of David BOWIE; Davie Jones (Davy Jones), posed, c.1965, playing Framus 12 string acoustic guitar. (credit:CA via Getty Images)
(02 of17)
Open Image Modal
Portrait of David Bowie photographed in 1967. (credit:Photoshot via Getty Images)
(03 of17)
Open Image Modal
Portrait of David Bowie photographed at the Studio of artist Dante Leonoli in Hampstead, London in September 1969. (credit:RTN / MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx)
(04 of17)
Open Image Modal
British rock singer, David Bowie, poses beside his Rolls Royce in May 1973. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of17)
Open Image Modal
British singer David Bowie. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
(06 of17)
Open Image Modal
A pre-glam David Bowie jams at a party thrown by publicist and future nightclub impresario and DJ Rodney Bingenheimer at lawyer Paul Figen's house in January 1971, in Los Angeles. (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
(07 of17)
Open Image Modal
Singer David Bowie being interviewed at home in Beckenham, London on April 24, 1972. (credit:Michael Putland via Getty Images)
(08 of17)
Open Image Modal
Musician David Bowie performs onstage during his 'Diamond Dogs' tour in June 1974. (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
(09 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie attends 17th Annual Grammy Awards on March 1, 1975 at the Uris Theater in New York City. (credit:Ron Galella via Getty Images)
(10 of17)
Open Image Modal
British rock singer David Bowie with American-born actress Sydne Rome. (credit:Evening Standard via Getty Images)
(11 of17)
Open Image Modal
In this Sept. 17, 1980, file photo, David Bowie listens during a news conference after a rehearsal at the Booth Theater in New York. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(12 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie performs on stage on the Serious Moonlight Tour at Feijenoord Stadion, de Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands, in 1983. (credit:Rob Verhorst via Getty Images)
(13 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie performing at The Cat Club in 1987 in Hollywood. (credit:RTN / MediaPunch/MediaPunch/IPx)
(14 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie is seen with Iman smiling in 1991. The couple married in Lausanne on April 24, 1992. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(15 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie performs live on stage with Tin Machine at Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1989. (credit:Frans Schellekens via Getty Images)
(16 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie (credit:Ron Galella, Ltd. via Getty Images)
(17 of17)
Open Image Modal
David Bowie and Iman during The Color Purple Broadway Opening Night in New York City. (credit:Bruce Glikas via Getty Images)