The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell

"The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Hours
Released20 September 1999 (1999-09-20) (Australia and Japan)
RecordedFebruary–June 1999
Studio
  • Looking Glass (New York City)
  • Chung King (New York City)
GenreGlam rock
Length
  • 4:40 (album)
  • 3:59 (single)
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels
Producer(s)David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels
David Bowie singles chronology
"Thursday's Child"
(1999) 		"The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell"
(1999) 		"Under Pressure (Rah Mix)"
(1999)

"The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell" is a song by the English musician David Bowie from his 1999 album Hours. Written by Bowie and Reeves Gabrels, its title references past songs such as "Oh! You Pretty Things" and the Stooges' Raw Power track "Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell". On Hours, the song is a rockier number that contains elements of 1970s glam rock. The lyrics offer views on disillusionment and aging. The song was first released in a different mix in the film Stigmata before being released as the first single from the album in Australia and Japan, replacing "Thursday's Child". An unreleased music video was filmed that depicted Bowie encountering several of his past personas. It was performed live in 1999 and 2000.