Interpreting Velvet Goldmine

What does this song actually mean? I've heard repeatedly that it was originally about making out with another guy and got toned down before it was released as a B-side without Bowie's permission. But where is the evidence? I've never been able to figure out where this assertion started.

Going to the lyrics as actually released isn't particularly compelling one way or another. I have come up with a sort of gay interpretation, as you can see, but it isn't particularly gay. It could be things other than making out with a guy.

You got crazy legs, you got amazing head

Okay, this could be about someone giving really good fellatio, but it could just as easily be anything else. And it isn't as if women cannot give 'head'. Or it could be about someone with a pretty face expressed in a inarticulate way.

You got rings on your fingers and your hair's hot red

You got wit from my tongue, name on the sun

I gotcha going to my breast

Cause you're the only one, who uses school to pleasure

Nothing else particularly gay here. I can't even figure out what "uses school to pleasure" might mean. Gets lots of sex at school?

You make me act real gone, you make me trawl along

I had to ravish your capsule, suck you dry

This could mean sucking on another guys penis. I think this line and the one following are the most open to a gay interpretation.

Feel the teeth in your bone, heal ya head with my own

This is what I'm talking about. Bone is a pretty common euphemism for a penis and someone playfully biting and then healing with his own? Sounds pretty gay to me.

Why if I don't have you home, we'll have to fight alone

Hang all together

The only thing I can figure is the last two lines are about "us against the world", nothing particularly gay about that, though it could be.

CHORUS

Velvet goldmine, you stroke me like the rain

Stroking could be about stroking a cock, but it could be just nonsense. I mean what exactly does Velvet Goldmine mean?

Snake it, take it, panther princess you must stay

Take his penis? Possibly, but again what does the rest of it mean?

Velvet goldmine, naked on your chain

Got nothing.

I'll be your king volcano right for you again and again

I could see volcano being about ejaculation.

My velvet goldmine

You're my taste, my trip, I'll be your master zip

Sounds like pure nonsense lyrics made up because the rhyme and sound vaguely dirty without actually meaning anything.

I'll suck your hair for kicks, you'll make me jump to my feet

Long haired guy or a girl?

So you'll give me your hand, give me your sound

Let my sea wash your face, I'm falling, I can't stand

Oooh! put your mink on

CHORUS Repeats

Shoot you down, bang bang

Did he change his mind here and 'shoot down' his friend about having sex? Or is it about shooting in another sense?

CHORUS Repeats