Scary Monsters Return
A legendary album that never returned, existing only in the imagination of devoted fans.
There is no canonical event, album, or storyline within the David Bowie universe known as 'Scary Monsters Return.' The phrase appears to be a conflation of the real 1980 album 'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' with fan speculation about sequels that never materialized. In the official discography and narrative arc of the artist's career, no such return or sequel exists.
- Subject Type
- Non-existent / Fan Conception
- Related Real Work
- Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
- Release Year of Original
- 1980
- Artist Affiliation
- David Bowie
- Canonical Status
- Unofficial / Apocryphal
Lore & Background
While the original album introduced a cast of memorable personalities and sonic experiments that defined an era, any story claiming a 'return' is purely a creation of the fandom. The true narrative arc had already traversed the Ziggy Stardust era, the Thin White Duke's reign, and the Berlin Trilogy before arriving at this 1980 milestone, rather than revisiting those earlier chapters as future events.
In Their Own Story
The lights dim in a club that doesn't exist on any map, where the air hums with the static of a lost frequency. A crowd waits for a figure who will never step onto the stage, hoping to hear the roar of monsters that only live in memory. The silence stretches, heavy and expectant, until the realization settles: the show is over, and the monsters have long since gone home.
Reader's Guide
Since 'Scary Monsters Return' is not a real event, there is no actual plot breakdown to analyze. Instead, fans often engage in hypothetical discussions about how the themes of alienation and surrealism from the original album might translate if revisited. These conversations typically explore the potential evolution of the characters introduced in 1980, imagining them aging or adapting to new musical landscapes without contradicting the artist's known timeline. The impact of this non-existent event is purely emotional; it highlights how deeply the original work resonated with listeners, creating a desire for more that can only be satisfied through imagination and fan creativity.
Did You Know?
- The real album 'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' was released on 12 September 1980 through RCA Records.
- It was Bowie's first album following the Berlin Trilogy (Low, 'Heroes' and Lodger).
- The album's lead single 'Ashes to Ashes' revisited the character of Major Tom from 'Space Oddity' (1969).
- The album cover is a large-scale collage featuring Bowie donning a Pierrot costume.
- It was Bowie's final studio album for RCA and the final collaboration between him and Tony Visconti for over 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scary Monsters Return?
Scary Monsters Return is not a person or character but a fictional concept created by fans who hoped for a sequel to the 1980 album. It exists only in speculation and has no basis in David Bowie's actual career or discography.
What are Scary Monsters Return's powers or role?
Since this storyline never happened, it possesses no powers or narrative role within the official canon of David Bowie's work. The idea serves merely as a testament to fan desire rather than an established plot point.
How does Scary Monsters Return's story end?
The story has no ending because the event was never conceived or recorded by the artist himself. Any conclusion found online is purely apocryphal and invented by enthusiasts.
Why is Scary Monsters Return important to fans?
Its importance lies in its representation of the enduring legacy of the original 1980 album, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). It highlights how deeply devoted followers wish for new material from that specific era, even though none was produced.
Is Scary Monsters Return part of the official timeline?
No, this title is completely absent from David Bowie's official discography and narrative arc. It remains an unofficial fan conception with no canonical status in the artist's history.
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