50 to 1 - David Bowie

[Zuma]

The sad news of January 10th shocked us all. I have always been a fan of David Bowie one of rocks most intriguing, intelligent and talents artists. Here is a 50 - 1 dedicated to the great man.

50 - It's No Game (Part 1) - Scary Monsters - 1980

This song featuring a Japanese female vocalist and a tormented Bowie was very befitting of the title of the album on which it kicks off - Scary Monsters. Bowie wanted to help break down the stereotype of a Japanese woman as a sweet, geisha girl and he certainly goes a way to achieving this. The songs lyrics were re-worked from an older Bowie song called "Tired of My Life"

 

[Zuma]

49 - Be My Wife - Low - 1977

This song was one of David's favourites, he often played it live. It was among the poorer charting singles in the UK but was a fairly good more conventional rock song from the brilliant "Low" album. Be My Wife was said to have been about Bowie's difficult relationship with his wife at the time, Angie.

 

[Zuma]

48 - Battle for Britain (The Letter) - Earthling - 1997

From 1977 to 1997 is Battle For Britain with its frenetic techno/electronica rhythm and vocal effects this song has grown on me apart from the more obvious well known tracks "Little Wonder" "Dead Man Walking" and "I'm Afraid of Americans" from an album I discovered in Europe when I was a kid on holiday.

 

[Zuma]

47 - Stay - Station to Station - 1976

Killer guitar work especially on the intro, instrumentation overall make this one of my favourite tracks off "Station to Station" album which I find as a nice upbeat hybrid between his white soul and Berlin sound.

 

[Zuma]

46 - Sense of Doubt - Heroes - 1977

A huge stylistic departure (he had a few, didn't he?) for Bowie this ambient instrumental I find it a calming, eerie and emotional piece from the beginning of his Berlin years with Brian Eno.

 

[JackNah_8]

David Bowie's tribute at the Grammys..

http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/15/11004570/grammys-2016-lady-gaga-david-bowie-performance


I wasnt that impressed with this performance, I wish someone else performed besides Gaga.

 

[Zuma]

45 - This Is Not America - Single - 1985

Just love Bowie's vocals on this song that he did with Pat Metheney Group. Bowie sounds like he is stuck in a place that he no longer recognises. Great instrumentation makes this midtempo ballad a rather engaging listen.

 

[Zuma]

David Bowie's tribute at the Grammys..

http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/15/11004570/grammys-2016-lady-gaga-david-bowie-performance


I wasnt that impressed with this performance, I wish someone else performed besides Gaga.

Brian Ferry, Iggy Pop would have been great to hear do some Bowie tunes

 

[Zuma]

44 - The Loneliest Guy - Reality - 2003

Absolutely love this later career song where David sings beautifully that he is not the loneliest guy but rather, the luckiest guy.

 

[Zuma]

43 - Hang on to Yourself - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - 1972

One of Bowie's great glam rock records, Hang On To Yourself with its great riff. It would have been some ride to hang onto back in the day. Life in the fast lane, sex and drugs are rampant so hang on to yourself.



Also released by Bowie as a single the year before under the alias Arnold Corns

 

[Zuma]

42 - Survive - Hours - 1999

My favourite song from the Hours album. David could be singing about the loss of his brother here?

"I should have kept you, I should have tried"
"I loved you"
"But I'll survive your naked eyes"

The song is alot more poignant in the wake of his passing.

 

[rogerjames]

Looking forward to following this countdown. Still feeling sad about this. Thank you in advance for going to this much effort.

 

[Eddie Dingle]

Brian Ferry, Iggy Pop would have been great to hear do some Bowie tunes

Iggy Pop doing China Girl and then silence.





Now that would have been a tribute.

 

[Zuma]

Looking forward to following this countdown. Still feeling sad about this. Thank you in advance for going to this much effort.

Thanks, I may not know David's back catalogue as intimately as some but I will do my best to honour the great man

 

[rogerjames]

Went to a brilliant Bowie tribute show tonight. Wow, so many memories, so much great music.

 

[JackNah_8]

Did anyone see his exhibition last year in Melbourne?

I'm so glad I went, it was such a great tribute to his career.

 

[Zuma]

41- Warszawa - Low - 1977

This moving Bowie/Eno collaboration opened side two of Low. A haunting and beautiful instrumental testament to David Bowie's experimental and creative talents.

 

[Zuma]

40 - Sons Of The Silent Age - Heroes - 1977

A somewhat underrated track with some nice harmony vocals and saxophone with Bowie using his distinct Cockney accent to great effect and soaring on the verses. "All I see is all I know" Dare I say it this track is a little Pink Floydish but unmistakably Bowie.

 

[Zuma]

39 - Drive-In Saturday - Aladdin Sane - 1973

This single, released in advance of the album Aladdin Sane is a unique mix of 50's doo-wop and futuristic narrative which only Bowie could come up with. It went to #3 in the UK. It is said to have been inspired by strange lights seen from a train at night whilst he was on tour. The likes of Jagger, Jung and Twiggy are name checked throughout the song. Interestingly this song was offered to and turned down by the group Mott the Hoople who off course scored a hit with "All the Young Dudes.

 

[HalloweenJack]

I know that Mott the Hoople were offered and turned down Suffragette City. Never heard about Drive-in Saturday. Any clues where you got this from.

I am really enjoying your thread Zuma.

 

[rogerjames]

Did anyone see his exhibition last year in Melbourne?

I'm so glad I went, it was such a great tribute to his career.

Saw the exhibition in London at the V&A museum. Joined the museum for a year to beat the queues. It was so worth it. Brought back a lot of family memories. Was extremely popular with big queues most days

 

[Nostradumbass]

Did anyone see his exhibition last year in Melbourne?

I'm so glad I went, it was such a great tribute to his career.

Yes, went with my mrs. It was much better than I thought it would be.

 

[Mningasimisonda]

39 - Drive-In Saturday - Aladdin Sane - 1973

This single, released in advance of the album Aladdin Sane is a unique mix of 50's doo-wop and futuristic narrative which only Bowie could come up with. It went to #3 in the UK. It is said to have been inspired by strange lights seen from a train at night whilst he was on tour. The likes of Jagger, Jung and Twiggy are name checked throughout the song. Interestingly this song was offered to and turned down by the group Mott the Hoople who off course scored a hit with "All the Young Dudes.

Underrated song. Same with "This is not America". Some high quality songs already...

 

[Zuma]

38 - Queen Bitch - Hunky Dory - 1971

Written in tribute to Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground features Bowie on acoustic guitar, another memorable Mick Ronson guitar riff and like most of David's great tracks, a killer bass line. A taste of what was to come in 1972



With Lou

 

[CURVE]

Brian Ferry, Iggy Pop would have been great to hear do some Bowie tunes

Brian Ferry is one of the best at covering other artists songs (his version of Jealous Guy is a classic), I think it would be interesting to hear him do a version of Starman or Heroes or anything really.