Hey guys, Jana here,

The world lost a musical genius on Sunday when David Bowie succumbed after waging an 18-month, hard-fought war against cancer. He left behind a legacy of family that surrounded the 69-year old visionary as he passed on. Bowie also left a vibrant musical legacy that will survive the test of time and has left a palpable influence on music since he hit the scene decades ago.

It’s not only music that show the mark of Bowie, his career included all mediums from acting and fashion and into the arts, as well. The characters Bowie created had a musical sound their own, their own fashion-style, not to mention makeup and hairstyles to die for, from Ziggy Stardust to the Thin White Duke.

Bowie turned 69 a few short days ago on January 8, and he recently released his final studio album, ‘Blackstar‘ on that day. The album has lyrics that deal with life and death in very real ways which fans will be poring over for years to come. Tony Visconti is the producer who worked with Bowie on the final album has released a statement discussing the timing of the album’s release date. “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. 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.

The album was recorded in only three sessions over a 3-month period at the beginning of 2015. It’s obvious now that the release date was orchestrated to be released at the end of Bowie’s life.

The lyrics will haunt you, from Blackstar:

Something happened on the day he died

Spirit rose a metre and stepped aside

Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried

(I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar)

and from Lazarus:

Look up here, I’m in Heaven!

I’ve got scars that can’t be seen

I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen,

Everybody knows me now

Look up here, man, I’m in danger!

I’ve got nothing left to lose

I’m so high, it makes my brain whirl

Dropped my cellphone down below

Ain’t that just like me?!

By the time I got to New York

I was living like a king

Then I used up all my money

I was looking for your ass

This way or no way

You know I’ll be free

Just like that bluebird

Now, ain’t that just like me?

Oh, I’ll be free

Just like that bluebird

Oh, I’ll be free

Ain’t that just like me?

Those are just a few of the songs, but the album is full of skulls and xrays from the clinic and just ominous foreboding. It will move you. We haven’t even touched on his prowess as an actor, yet, but he was dynamic in everything he touched, especially one of the movies that had the biggest influence on me is ‘Labyrinth‘ and I wanted more than ever for Jareth the Goblin King to actually exist and want to be with me, and steal my little sister in the process.

If you want to read like Bowie read, check out this list of books and magazines that fueled his creativity and do whatever we can to keep the memory of David Bowie alive.