DAVID BOWIE
AN AURAL RETROSPECTIVE
Far be it from me to claim authority on David Bowie or any of his artistic contributions to society as a whole; any remarks on his music herein are nothing more than my own opinions. I preface by saying that because you have probably come to this page by random (since this site gets modest traffic) and you are most likely a Bowie fan already, one who has already perused their fair share of media regarding the man and his works and naturally have your own views on the subject. Instead, this page offers an alternative view of Bowie's musical endeavors to bring to light some of the songs of his oeuvre that mainstream media and the general public have largely overlooked.
Most people know Bowie's work casually. To some, even that is excessive, only attributing one or two songs to the man from his popular eighties hits such as Let's Dance and China Girl or the well-favored Under Pressure alongside industry titan Freddy Mercury. However, the purpose of this review is to highlight songs even the well-versed Bowie fan may unknowingly miss or purposefully skip; songs that rarely got played over radio waves or even received mention by anyone other than music reviewers and die-hard fans. Which is truly a shame... Bowie's contributions to music are significant & plentiful-- there's a reason the man is legend! This retrospective unpretentiously aims to highlight those oft-overlooked gems to illustrate a better understanding as to why David Bowie is so revered.
Most people know Bowie's work casually. To some, even that is excessive, only attributing one or two songs to the man from his popular eighties hits such as Let's Dance and China Girl or the well-favored Under Pressure alongside industry titan Freddy Mercury. However, the purpose of this review is to highlight songs even the well-versed Bowie fan may unknowingly miss or purposefully skip; songs that rarely got played over radio waves or even received mention by anyone other than music reviewers and die-hard fans. Which is truly a shame... Bowie's contributions to music are significant & plentiful-- there's a reason the man is legend! This retrospective unpretentiously aims to highlight those oft-overlooked gems to illustrate a better understanding as to why David Bowie is so revered.
'David Bowie Eyes' by Stavros Damos
This page will briefly outline Bowie's work by album in chronological order, focusing only on his studio output during his lifetime. I have generally stuck to original releases but occasionally offer bonus selections if tracks were edited or added in re-released and / or re-mastered editions— again, only doing so if said changes were made while Bowie was alive to approve them. I will list the regarded singles for each album first, then offer a select few demanding greater recognition. I may also offer a smattering of further detail here and there, especially when there are songs that are both a released single and a track I suggest listening to. I neglect to include videos or even links to the recommended tracks assuming your interest will motivate you enough to afford yourself the opportunity of listening to these songs at your leisure.
My own introduction to Bowie's music was the singles compilation ChangesBowie, offered and selected as a freebie from the Columbia House CD Club. From then on, I was hooked. I was obviously able to obtain the complete Bowie discography (at the time) and moving forward from the early nineties, I purchased each of Bowie's newest albums upon their release. Admittedly, that was not the pinnacle of Bowie's career and a lot of his songs during that time were fairly mediocre, with few exceptions. Regardless, I was a die-hard fan and I honestly found no fault with any output the man graced me with. It was only upon recent reflection— and a truly complete discography— that I was able to categorize all his songs with my respective appreciation (or lack thereof) for each.
Overall, the purpose of this venture is for me, a fellow creative and über-fan, to simply share my appreciation of the music, the man, and the legend that is David Bowie.
David Bowie (commonly known as Space Oddity)
1969
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Probably my least favorite album, though Space Oddity is an obvious stand out.
The Man Who Sold The World
1970
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While the title track is awesome, and also well-known from its multiple covers, The Supermen is the standout for me on this album.
Hunky Dory
1971
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Changes is classic and Life on Mars? is eternal but my suggested tracks are wild, especially the beautiful and ethereal Quicksand.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
1972
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This album pegged Bowie for greatness. Ziggy was a revelation and while the released singles were vibrant, Five Years told a horror story of tragic bleakness in less than five minutes and Moonage Daydream was a blazing declaration by Ziggy— and Bowie— to "keep your 'lectric eye" on him!
Aladdin Sane
1973
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Time is timeless and deservedly a hit but it's Cracked Actor that rocks this album and Lady Grinning Soul is its sexy, honest heart.
Pin Ups
1973
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Sorrow is beautiful but try the suggested tracks for some otherworldly selections!
Diamond Dogs
1974
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The released singles here are perfection, but try We Are The Dead for a vexingly haunting experience.
Young Americans
1975
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Originally in my top three albums (just slipping to number four), Young Americans is almost perfect. Almost. The singles were great selections, but Fascination is a particular highlight here as well.
Station to Station
1976
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Golden Years is f*cking groovy, but the suggested tracks are amongst the sexiest songs Bowie has ever recorded!
Low
1977
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My all-time favorite album by Bowie! This one solidified my love for the man— as if it was ever in question! The singles are really good, but once Bowie lets loose and starts really experimenting with sound, particularly of note with his instrumental pieces, the man is simply flying high on Low.
"Heroes"
1977
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Another stunner, this album introduced the world to another Bowie classic in the title track but, again, don't miss out on the instrumental tracks here. Additionally, Sons of the Silent Age is a mystically exquisite song that may claim to "never let you go".
Lodger
1979
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Bowie nailed the released singles for this one. Not as good as the first two entries in his Berlin Trilogy with Brian Eno (including Low and "Heroes") but Boys Keep Swinging and Look Back In Anger are first-rate.
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
1980
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This album is also almost perfect. With so many hits, this is likely Bowie's most exciting yet relatable rock record.
Let's Dance
1983
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But this album is what really put Bowie on the map... at least in America. His most mainstream and straightforward is also buoyant and mildly sexy. The released singles were all eighties hits but find Cat People (Putting Out Fire) for something truly explosive!
Tonight
1984
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This follow-up to Let's Dance was well received, but started a creative decline in Bowie's song writing and creative sound. While the singles were popular and still a fun listen today, nothing is really standout more than Blue Jean.
Never Let Me Down
1987
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Time Will Crawl is great, but Beat of Your Drum is an all-time particular favorite of mine... even on this, one of Bowie's lesser albums overall.
Black Tie, White Noise
1993
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Honestly nothing of note on this album. Pallas Athena is another instrumental interlude but hardly as memorable as previous entries, except for its repetitive sax.
The Buddha of Suburbia
1993
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Strangers When We Meet was the oft-overlooked highlight here (before it became a single for Bowie's next album) but Ian Fish UK Heir rings touchingly prescient. It is the standout on this record.
1. Outside (The Nathan Adler Diaries: A Hyper-cycle)
1995
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This was Bowie running back to experimental sound! A little harder and darker— creepy, sexy, and brooding— than any other Bowie album, it was also not so well received. But while Hallo Spaceboy raced with a forward sound, even when referencing the past, A Small Plot of Land was the pinnacle of this entire musical experiment.
I also always sing along to The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty).
Earthling
1997
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Another album that was marketed well in terms of singles. I'm Afraid of Americans is the best of the bunch here, but also try Telling Lies and The Last Thing You Should Do for the true drum & bass sound Bowie was going for.
'hours...'
1999
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When I first heard this album, I didn't like it very much. However, over the years I have come to appreciate it more and more— so much so that it edged out Young Americans to reside in my top three! The Pretty Things Are Going To Hell is my favorite of the released singles but all of my suggested tracks are even better.
Heathen
2002
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Another album I shared no real appreciation for upon first listen,... and remains the same today, tbh. Sure, I sing along to most of the songs on Heathen, but none of them are as truly inspired aurally as 5:15 the Angels Have Gone, the best of this bunch.
Reality
2003
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Looking For Water is my cell ringtone and Rebel, Rebel (this 2003 update) is a banger. But it's the upcoming mash-up of the latter with Never Gets Old that is the undisputed champ!
The Next Day
2013
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The Next Day was a welcome return after Bowie's ten-year hiatus. Critics hailed The Stars (Are Out Tonight), but all of my suggested tracks are way better entries here.
Dirty Boys is funky and, well... dirty. How Does the Grass Grow? is terrifying, yet fun. And (You Will) Set the World On Fire is a bombastic, rockin' battle cry of optimism for all Bowie fans!
★ (Blackstar)
2016
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Bowie at his best,... at a most unfortunate time. This is Bowie's opus. It's what his 70s albums hinted at & dabbled in and what later albums like 1. Outside toyed with and Earthling juuuuust missed. Sonically unparalleled by any of his previous work (though Low comes extremely close), ★ is the culmination of all of Bowie's lifelong musical efforts. The title track is sweeping, exploratory, and powerful and Lazarus is keenly poignant— and was so even before Bowie's succeeding death.
But my vote goes to Girl Loves Me, simultaneously exuberant, enigmatic, and profane. And while critics the world over honed in on I Can't Give Everything Away, even going so far as to label it Bowie's swan song, they were severely mistaken. Dollar Days is gorgeous... and gutting with literally every listen. It is, by far, Bowie's most touching song.
