As the World falls down... a moment to remember the Goblin King.

"You remind me of the babe..."

"What babe?"

"The babe with the power!"

"What power?"

"The Power of Voodoo!"

"Who?"

"You do?"

"Do what?

"Remind me of the babe!"


If you grew up in Iloilo in the late 80's to early '90s, you probably know these lines. You knew them because television was awful and mostly pre-recorded. So much so, that one TV station (IBC-12) was notorious for keeping irregular broadcast schedules and showing programs and movies randomly. The one benefit was because it was so limited, more often than not you ended up watching the same movies over and over again. So much so, that we memorised just about everything about these films.

One movie stood out even then when I was a kid. It freaked me out when I was a lot younger, which did surprise me. Before watching this film, I had only known Jim Henson for Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. This movie had creepy goblins, talking door knockers and beasts who loved to toss their heads around... literally. But it also had an enchanting young actress named Jennifer Connelly, years removed from The Rocketeer and even more so from A Beautiful Mind.

That movie was The Labyrinth.

And playing a most fabulous Goblin King, the late David Bowie.


The tributes continue to this late hour, coming from all corners of the world. It is often so when such influential figures pass on. The music was undeniably brilliant and remains so. I took a moment today to review just about how many of his songs I knew. I was equally surprised by the number I could sing along to and even more by the many more that had passed me by. It is a testament to his talent that he was known by different persona to different people.


However on a most personal note, David Bowie will always remain Jareth, the Goblin King. I am not alone in this. A quick view on Facebook had me smiling, realising that many of my contemporaries were equally fascinated and freaked out by that character. As much as he portrayed the antagonist of the story, he was both equally charming and menacing. So much so that even at a young age, I felt a twinge of sympathy towards his character.
After all, she did ask for the baby to be taken (Spoilers, but if you haven't watched the movie, go watch it now!)

In the end, there was always the music.
I smile and remember singing along and dancing to Dance Magic Dance.
I probably still know the words.
Perhaps you do as well.


Perhaps he has gone up beyond the stars.
Perhaps he turned into an owl and has flown into the night, back to his Goblin kingdom.

David Bowie was many things to many people.

But to me, he was a part of an enchanting piece of my childhood, as Jareth.
Thank you and Farewell, Goblin King.


Please enjoy the following. It remains my personal favourite Bowie song.