“Sell Me A Coat;” Shares elements of “Uncle Arthur,” as it gives a clear picture of Bowie’s purest voice, however the general tone and subject of the song is overall more sombre thanks to the introduction of a slower rhythm and dejected plaint from Bowie.
Introduced by the slow, sure intonation of “La la la la la,” “Sell Me A Coat” creates a bittersweet picture of Bowie’s loss of his “Summer girl.” Whether physical or purely metaphorical, this story, however peculiarly executed, certainly proved a foundation for some of Bowie’s later work; introducing his tendency to create a scene and tell an open-ended story.
For me, the song is an abject display of love, and despite context, I find the song a poignant cry for this emotion, his silver-buttoned coat.
To the wider public, “Sell Me A Coat” never had and will never have much of a chance at likeability, as it has no underpinning meaning for most and doesn’t have much of the more mature and complex structure which is so enjoyed in popular culture.