Top 200 Bowie Recordings - #1 - Heroes (1 Viewer)

[Anarchy99]

#48 - David Bowie - I'm Afraid Of Americans (Earthling - 1997), (Showgirls Soundtrack - 1997), (Nine Inch Nails V1 Mix - 1997), (With Sonic Youth - 1997), (Live - 1998), (Live - 1999), (Live - 2000), (Live - 2002), (Live - 2003)
Covers: Nine Inch Nails, Ann Wilson, Dweezil Zappa, Lady Gaga, Bones UK, Goss, A Fallen Mind, Anonymous Band Ancona, HeavensDust, Morris McClymont, Derek Day, Tony Grinder, Q, Follow No One, J.S. Ondara, Slighter, Mizan, We Are The World, Tackhead, O.R.k., Greek Fire, Lung, Moodrama

Back to the industrial Bowie sound of the 90's. This one first appeared in the movie Showgirls (one of the few movies with tons of nudity that is still painful to sit through as it isn't very good). It was re-recorded for the Earthling album. Another song with 8 different versions and remixes out there. It was released as a single and only made it to #66 on the Hot 100.

Bowie was partly inspired to write the song when he was travelling in Indonesia and saw a McDonald's being built. NIN's Trent Reznor plays lead guitar (at least on the studio version). Only Bowie and Brian Eno (who co-wrote the song) appear on the track with Bowie. This one became a staple in Bowie's live show. He played it regularly from 1997 until he stopped touring in 2004. Another song that the purists will be glad to see get scratched off the list.

Spoiler alert: the next dozen songs are all from the 70's.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

#48 - David Bowie - I'm Afraid Of Americans (Earthling - 1997), (Showgirls Soundtrack - 1997), (Nine Inch Nails V1 Mix - 1997), (With Sonic Youth - 1997), (Live - 1998), (Live - 1999), (Live - 2000), (Live - 2002), (Live - 2003)
Covers: Nine Inch Nails, Ann Wilson, Dweezil Zappa, Lady Gaga, Bones UK, Goss, A Fallen Mind, Anonymous Band Ancona, HeavensDust, Morris McClymont, Derek Day, Tony Grinder, Q, Follow No One, J.S. Ondara, Slighter, Mizan, We Are The World, Tackhead, O.R.k., Greek Fire, Lung, Moodrama

Back to the industrial Bowie sound of the 90's. This one first appeared in the movie Showgirls (one of the few movies with tons of nudity that is still painful to sit through as it isn't very good). It was re-recorded for the Earthling album. Another song with 8 different versions and remixes out there. It was released as a single and only made it to #66 on the Hot 100.

Bowie was partly inspired to write the song when he was travelling in Indonesia and saw a McDonald's being built. NIN's Trent Reznor plays lead guitar (at least on the studio version). Only Bowie and Brian Eno (who co-wrote the song) appear on the track with Bowie. This one became a staple in Bowie's live show. He played it regularly from 1997 until he stopped touring in 2004. Another song that the purists will be glad to see get scratched off the list.

Spoiler alert: the next dozen songs are all from the 70's.

You shut your whore mouth

 

[Anarchy99]

#47 - David Bowie - Holy Holy (B-Side - 1974), (Original - 1971)
Covers: Temple Of The Dog, Marquee Moon, redunzl, Christian Lipski, Shadow Project, Panic In Detroit

Another of the long line of songs recorded (or in this case re-recorded) for the Ziggy Stardust album that didn't make it to the album. IMO, I still think if they had taken all the non-album tracks and put them on a new album, it would probably would have turned out to be Bowie's second best album.

This one was initially recorded after The Man Who Sold The World album was completed and the record label thought there really wasn't an appropriate single from the new album. So Bowie recorded the slower version of the song and released it as a single. It did absolutely, positively NOTHING in terms of sales and did not chart anywhere. Bowie was already mulling the metamorphosis to Ziggy as early as 1970, and lots of songs were recorded in The Man Who Sold The World / Hunky Dory / Ziggy Stardust era in different styles.

Like many other songs I already listed off, Holy Holy was another of those songs. The single version was recorded in 1970. It was re-recorded in a Ziggy Stardust style in 1971. Ziggy the album came out but the song was passed over in1972. It was finally released as the B-Side to Diamond Dogs in 1974. To the best of my knowledge, the song was never performed live.

 

[Ghost Rider]

#47 - David Bowie - Holy Holy (B-Side - 1974), (Original - 1971)
Covers: Temple Of The Dog, Marquee Moon, redunzl, Christian Lipski, Shadow Project, Panic In Detroit

Another of the long line of songs recorded (or in this case re-recorded) for the Ziggy Stardust album that didn't make it to the album. IMO, I still think if they had taken all the non-album tracks and put them on a new album, it would probably would have turned out to be Bowie's second best album.

This one was initially recorded after The Man Who Sold The World album was completed and the record label thought there really wasn't an appropriate single from the new album. So Bowie recorded the slower version of the song and released it as a single. It did absolutely, positively NOTHING in terms of sales and did not chart anywhere. Bowie was already mulling the metamorphosis to Ziggy as early as 1970, and lots of songs were recorded in The Man Who Sold The World / Hunky Dory / Ziggy Stardust era in different styles.

Like many other songs I already listed off, Holy Holy was another of those songs. The single version was recorded in 1970. It was re-recorded in a Ziggy Stardust style in 1971. Ziggy the album came out but the song was passed over in1972. It was finally released as the B-Side to Diamond Dogs in 1974. To the best of my knowledge, the song was never performed live.

I had never heard this song until recently, and I am glad I finally did.  Really good tune, very much in the vein of the Ziggy/Aladdin Sane songs.

 

[Anarchy99]

#46 - David Bowie - Cracked Actor (Aladdin Sane - 1973), (Live - 1973, (Live - 1974), (Live - 1983), (Rehearsal - 1990), (Live - 1999), (Live - 2000)
Covers: Big Country, Cybernauts, Duff McKagan, PLeaSureDomE, Rancid Vat, Zeta Bane, The Hounds Of Hasselvander, Nothing People, Pitbulls on Crack, Phonse White, Clit 45, The Rebelles, David Gahan, Naked City Romeos, Chicken Diamond, La Rubia Montoya, DeafboyOne Bowie, David T. Anderson, Dark Globe, Marty, Johnnie Ha Ha, Frank Andrada

A song that fits the many faces of Bowie over the years. It certainly checks off a lot of boxes in terms of glam rock sound, pronounced guitar, and Bowie copping an attitude (as the persona in the song).

The live performances from 73 / 74 / 93 with Bowie as Hamlet were classic . . . the director's chair, the lights, the cameras, the sunglasses, the cape, and the skull. The band in the 2000 version is TIGHT and they are all having fun.

Bowie only played 4 dates in 2000, the biggie being headlining the Glastonbury Festival in front of 200,000 people. Old faithful Earl Slick came back for the shows after a 17 year hiatus. He would stick around for the remaining Bowie tours and albums up through The Next Day.

 

[Anarchy99]

#45 - David Bowie - Rock 'N' Roll Suicide (The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - 1972), (Live - 1972), (Live - 1973), (Live - 1974), (Live - 1978), (Live - 1990), (Soundcheck - 2002)
Covers: Phish, Depeche Mode, Camille O'Sullivan, Revue Noir, Public Menace, Ok Go & Bonerama, Tony Hadley, Info Riot, El Vez, Black Box Recorder, Cybernauts, Hazel O'Connor, Aslan, The Rioters, Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, & Randy George, Sirens, Witchwood, Gwyneth Herbert,Evan Rachel Wood, Jenifer Chante, Droggs, Capsula, Seu Jorge, Woodhands, Sweet Wine, Chuckamuck, John Frusciante, Joe Hurley, Sven Ratzke, Andrea Chimenti, Kairos, Mariana Peregrina / Javier Othon, Francesco Digilio Jilann, Gwyneth Herbert, The Deans, Théo Berlioux, Randal Graves, Karakuri, Holyan

Oh no, love, you're not alone. You're wonderful. A song that deserves to be higher up the list, but it generally makes me sad and depressed. The closing number to one of the all time great albums. It's hard to listen to this song and walk away feeling happy and refreshed.

The live 1973 version was when he killed off Ziggy Stardust forever, thrusting the proverbial dagger into the hearts of millions of Bowie fans.. The 1974 version was tweaked to be more of a soul song. The 1990 version is one of the last time he performed it live (and how he closed shows on the last leg of the tour). The 2002 version is so rare, I did not even know it existed. Bowie was preparing to play on the Today show. When they were getting ready for their soundcheck, a fan shouts out Rock 'N' Roll Suicide . . . and Bowie actually played it. First time in 12 years and the last time it was ever played. Completely unrehearsed.

The song was one of the last songs recorded for the Ziggy Stardust album. With the record label desperate to get something from Bowie out on the market, the song was released as a single two years later. Even with most Bowie fans already owners of the ZS album, the song hit #21 on the British singles chart. 

 

[Anarchy99]

#44 - David Bowie - I'm Waiting For The Man (Unreleased Live - 1970), (Demo - 1967), (Live - 1972), (Rehearsal - 1976), (Live - 1976), (Live - 1997)
Original Velvet Underground version: The Velvet Underground - 1967, Live Version

A return of the Velvets. Rating based on the 1970 radio broadcast version. Mick Ronson is on fire on this one. Why Bowie ever veered away from playing the song in that style is one of life's great mysteries. You can hear the first seeds of the future Ziggy Stardust being planted. The 1972 version is much closer to the VU version . . . still rock flavored with some nice Ronson guitar, but not quite as edgy. The 1976 version sounds a lot like disco. The 1997 version starts out closer to the VU original version, but IMO the Reeves Gabrels style of shredding guitar doesn't mesh as well with a 60's song. They are all decent, but the 1970 version is my favorite of them all by a decent amount. This one was played on the 72/73, 76, and 97 tours. In that 21 year stretch in the middle, he played it twice in 1990 for good measure.

 

[Anarchy99]

#43 - David Bowie - It Ain't Easy (The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - 1972), (Live - 1971)
Original Ron Davies Version: (Silent Song Through The Land - 1970), (U.F.O. - 1973)
Covers: Raconteurs, Three Dog Night, Chris Dye, Long John Baldry, Dogtooth Violet, Shelby Lynne, Baby Gramps, Last Vegas, Alpaca Ensemble

Another track from The Spiders From Mars. It took me over 40 years to find out Bowie didn't write it and it was a cover. It's amazing how good a Ziggified song can sound. The crunching guitar in the chorus makes this one. Way more rocking than the original by Ron Davies. Bowie only played it live that one time in 1971, which was less refined compared to the slicked back presentation on Ziggy Stardust. I am not sure who else is singing on the live version,

As crazy as it sounds, I could listen to this song more frequently than say Lady Stardust or Rock 'N' Roll Suicide, even though both of those songs are better written and better performed. But I have never blown out speakers to those songs, but I have to It Ain't Easy.

 

[Anarchy99]

#42 - David Bowie - Queen B!tch (Hunky Dory - 1971), (Live - 1971), (Live - 1972), (Live - 1976), (Live - 1990), (With Lou Reed - 1997), (Live - 2004), (With Arcade Fire - 2005)
Covers: Lena Hall, Dukes Of New York, Birdbrain, Pen!s Flytrap, Seu Jorge, Dirty Nil, Eater, Hotrats, Green River, Spiral Jetty, Tragically Hip, Frankenstein 3000, Elf Power, Hummingbird Syndicate, Plunderers, Capsize 7, Blue Threads, Rhett Miller, Wee Trio, Weird Things, Peter Murphy, Dan Dennison, Red Appendix, Music Parties, Dirty McQueen, Throws Like A Girl, Blue Green, DeafboyOne Bowie, Stations, Hot Nun, Andrew Lowden, Well Wishers, Kyle Richards & The TM Collective, Kev Byker, Conor Fast, JEET, The Palace At 4AM, Spaceface

This one is in the style of Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. Bowie "borrowed" the guitar riff and the backdrop from Eddie Cochrane's Three Steps To Heaven (pretty much note for note). Solid rhythm, drum beat, guitar fills, and an overall fun song. It's easy to envision cruising the streets somewhere and relating to the song. At no point is the title mentioned in the lyrics.

The song has appeared as a B-Side a couple of times over the years and has been used in multiple movies and was one of the songs included in the video game Rock Band. It was performed pretty regularly in 72 / 76 / 90 / 97 with 5 appearances in 2004 to put the song to bed.

 

[Anarchy99]

#41 - David Bowie - John, I'm Only Dancing (Single - 1972), (Live - 1972), (Sax Version - 1973), (John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) - 1974), (Again Version Live - 1974), (Rehearsal - 1990)
Covers: Paul Westerberg, Mike Garson, Killing Process, Deltas, Jesca Hoop, Erin Orchestra, Vivian Girls, Ian Edmundson, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Everyothers, Wall To Wall Bowie, Polecats, Chameleons, Hormones, Creem, Partisians, Cops-n-Babies, Robotra, Don't Call Me Ishmael, Hymen Dust, Beach Fatigue, Al Parkinson, T. M. Griffiths, Kevin Walker, 

BROKEN RECORD: Another Ziggy era track that never found a home on an album. The record label was clearly out to lunch, as they only released one single from Ziggy Stardust (how dumb was that?). Instead, they released John, I'm Only Dancing (which hit #12 in the UK). It was considered too risqué to be released in America (don't let the kiddies hear it!). It became a B-Side in several other countries. The song was recorded in the Ziggy timeframe.

Someone had the idea to re-record the song in 1973 with a different mix with saxophone added. This mix is softer and more diffused, the vocals are clearer, but it feels antiseptic and distant. It also loses the Ziggy feel IMO. Not sure why they re-recorded the song a year after they released it as a single. But they did, and they released the new version as a single with the same catalog number as the first single so fans and stores were confused by which version they were actually getting.

John, I'm Only Dancing eventually made it to the Changesonebowie compilation in 1976, and to confuse things even further, some copies had the 1972 version while others had the 1973 version. My vinyl copy has the 1972 version, but all the CD releases have the 1973 version.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the record label probably fired the first guy involved with re-recording the song . . . and more than likely found a different idiot who said HOLD MY BEER, I CAN DO BETTER. So in 1974, they decided to re-record the song AGAIN, this time making the monstrosity known as John, I'm Only Dancing (Again), which sounds suspiciously like disco to me. It sounds like The Bee Gees. Not knowing what to do with this version, it sat in storage for 5 years when they finally decided to release it as a single in 1979 after all singles from Lodger had come out. That version ended up on Changestwobowie. Who knows why they decided to release this version at all, as it is basically a 7 minute disco / club track.

Anyway . . . the first recording still sounds fresh and energetic. Mick Ronson provides his usually flash and finesse. It would have fit perfectly on ZS. The song was performed throughout 1972 and 1973, with the wretched disco version adapted for the 1974 Diamond Dogs soul travelcade. The song popped up for a leg of the 1990 Sound + Vision tour, where it saw the light of day on 16 occasions.

That means we made it to The Top 40 . . .

 

[Anarchy99]

#40 - David Bowie - Young Americans (Young Americans - 1975), (Single Version - 1975), (Live - 1974), (Medley With Cher - 1975), (Live - 1983), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990)
Covers: The Cure, Gail Ann Dorsey, Corey Glover, Hozier, The Braids, Electric Six, Jean, Werner K, Rockabye Baby!, Danny Michel,  Hindley Street Country Club, Durand Jones, Louder Than Milk, Smalare Än Thord, Eight To The Bar, Replica Schmeplica, Michael Cooke, Eddy McManus, Lea DeLaria, Grace Mitchell, Jellyman's Daughter, Susan Hyatt, Jeff Duff, Buddha of Suburbia The Band, Dean Heller, Jasen Samford, Dirk Darmstaedter, Zachary Dogwood, 

I will probably get slack for this one, but a song that I like but have always thought was a bit overrated. There isn't much to it beyond Bowie's vocals and a sax solo that continues throughout the entire song. Sure, the sax and Bowie's vocals are stellar, but the instrumentation I always found a little boring and repetitive. But what do I know? In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it at #486 in their Top 500 songs of all time.

Bowie actually performed the song on his 1974 Diamond Dogs tour (the Young Americans album came out in 1975). The single reached #28 on the Billboard Top 40. While DB played saxophone on many other songs over his career, David Sanborn is the sax player on this one.

The 1975 medley with Cher is worth watching for the curiosity factor. It is as cringe worthy as one might imagine. Worth it for Cher's hair alone. Featuring: Young Americans - Song Sung Blue - One Is The Loneliest Number - Da Doo Ron Ron - Wedding Bell Blues - Maybe Maybe Baby - Day Tripper - Blue Moon - Only You (And You Alone) -Temptation - Ain’t No Sunshine - Young Blood - Young Americans (Reprise).

I find the 1990 version a little more interesting than the original, as the sax part was replaced with Adrian Belew on guitar instead. Oddly, Bowie did not play this one on his 76 or 78 tours. He brought it back in 83 / 87 / 90. He never played the song again after his Sound + Vision greatest hits tour (where he threatened to retire all his hits). At least for this particular song, he wasn't lying.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

#40 - David Bowie - Young Americans (Young Americans - 1975), (Single Version - 1975), (Live - 1974), (Medley With Cher - 1975), (Live - 1983), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990)
Covers: The Cure, Gail Ann Dorsey, Corey Glover, Hozier, The Braids, Electric Six, Jean, Werner K, Rockabye Baby!, Danny Michel,  Hindley Street Country Club, Durand Jones, Louder Than Milk, Smalare Än Thord, Eight To The Bar, Replica Schmeplica, Michael Cooke, Eddy McManus, Lea DeLaria, Grace Mitchell, Jellyman's Daughter, Susan Hyatt, Jeff Duff, Buddha of Suburbia The Band, Dean Heller, Jasen Samford, Dirk Darmstaedter, Zachary Dogwood, 

I will probably get slack for this one, but a song that I like but have always thought was a bit overrated.

I kind of agree. I wouldn't say over-rated but I doubt I'd even have it this high. It's still a great song of course.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Some really great songs being posted the last few days.

I am going to vomit if/when that dreck known as Fame is ranked higher than them.

 

[Anarchy99]

#39 - David Bowie - Golden Years (Station To Station - 1976), (Soul Train - 1975), (Live - 1983), (Rehearsal - 1990), (Live - 2000)
Covers: Marilyn Manson, Glen Hansard, French Aloud, Alan Getto, Royal Canoe, Kyle Gustafson, Josh Kolenda, Mascara, Essra Mohawk, Loose Ends, Vitamin String Quartet, Meridian String Quartet, Swell, Walk DMC, Count Zero, Susumu Yokota, Sean Altman, Black Maggot, Charlie Sexton, Nakia, Yam Who?

I view this one similarly as I do Young Americans. There isn't a lot to the song, and the chorus gets repeated over and over to drag out the song. The guitar part is pretty much the same four bars repeated throughout the song. Sure, it's kind of catchy and toe-tappy and easy on the ears. It's a textbook definition of a song I will enjoy if I haven't heard it in a long time. But not something I would listen to very regularly. The song hit #10 on the U.S. singles chart and #8 in the U.K. Some interesting insight into how the song evolved HERE.

Like Young Americans, Bowie chose not to perform it early on. The song was recorded in 1975 and was the first track recorded for the Station To Station album, but it was only performed twice on his 1976 tour. It was passed over completely on his 1978 tour but was a mainstay for the 1983 Serious Moonlight tour. It was played intermittently in 1990 (that version seemed pretty bland and not all that inspired to be honest). Golden Years got played only twice after that (both times in 2000).

 

[Anarchy99]

Some really great songs being posted the last few days.

I am going to vomit if/when that dreck known as Fame is ranked higher than them.

I guess maybe I should push it lower than #1 overall then.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I guess maybe I should push it lower than #1 overall then.

I might actually cry if you put it at number 1.

 

[Anarchy99]

I might actually cry if you put it at number 1.

 

[Anarchy99]

#38 - David Bowie - D.J. (Lodger - 1979), (Rehearsal - 1995), (Live - 1995), (Rivaz Funk Remix - 2009)
Covers: Lenny Kravitz, Shearwater, CrayonToCrayon, Momus, Djamal Boukabou, Desmo Donte, Danny Michel, Cinzia Bavelloni, Welcome Matt, Michael T & The Vanities

There has been scuttlebutt that this was an attempt by Bowie to sound like David Byrne of the Talking Heads. Adrian Belew plays lead guitar, and his guitar was recorded in separate takes and tracks and then all mixed together. I played this as my first ever songs to start my high school and college stints as a D.J. (seriously, what us would you start with???). I always enjoyed the rolling guitar in the background leading up to the guitar solo, which goes off in a variety of directions.

The single barely cracked the Top 30 in Great Britain and did not chart at all in the States. It was not a popular song to be performed live, only getting played 21 times across the 95/96 tour. Not sure why that is, as on the surface it doesn't appear that there would be technical reasons not to play and it doesn't have such a unique sound that the musicians would struggle with it.

 

[Anarchy99]

Hmmm. Only 37 songs to go. Not sure if we are going to be able to match @krista4 and her 132 pages counting down the Beatles songs. 

#37 - David Bowie - Hang On To Yourself (The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - 1972), (Original Arnold Corns Version - 1971), (Live - 1972), (Live - 1973), (Live - 1978), (Live - 1983), (Live - 2003), (Live - 2004)
Covers: Cybernauts, Yellow Monkey, Young Galaxy, The Kids, Capsula, Glass Candy, Charles De Goal, The Danger, The Germs, Shesus, Contraband, Mutant Monster Beach Party, Kommunity FK, Gilby Clarke, Let It Burn, Funeral Warehouse, Munlet, Milky & The Stones, Birkins, Letterbomb, Vedicardi, Tighe Bodalla, R. Stevie Moore, Cane!, Bed Band, Alt School, Max Lorenz, Jay Wasco/Swiss Army Bass, Liner Notes, Live On Mars, Marky Sharp, Howdy!

This one started out as a song recorded by Bowie's brief side project, a band called Arnold Corns. The band only recorded a half dozen songs. Of course, three of them turned into rock classics when they were re-recorded for Ziggy Stardust (Lady Stardust, Hang On To Yourself, and Moonage Daydream). Over the years, Hang On To Yourself has been released as a B-Side 5 or 6 times. The song is a juicy blend of glam, rock, and rockabilly with an infectious guitar riff and backing bass line.

HOTY was performed regularly in 72 / 73 / 03 / 04 and a handful of times in 83. Hang On To Yourself was one of five Ziggy Stardust songs that Bowie resurrected on his last tour. The early versions are played at a frenetic pace and border on punk. The mix and feel are a lot harder and edgier.

 

[Anarchy99]

#36 - David Bowie - Panic In Detroit (Aladdin Sane - 1973), (Re-Recording - 1979), (Live - 1973), (Live - 1974), (Live 13 Minute Version - 1976), (Live - 1990), (Live - 1997), (Live - 2004)
Covers: Cybernauts, Wolf Kier, Christian Death, Shadow Project, Electric Standard, Nelson Montana, Pollo Del Mar, Detroit Women, Teddy Richards, Christopher Saint, Joe Harvard Band, Victor Peraino's Kingdom Come, Beach Sweater, Peter Chauncey, King Feeb, Ben Erickson, Octopus

The backstory on this one goes something like this. DB was touring with the Spiders From Mars in 1972 in Detroit, and he spent some time with Iggy Pop. Iggy described living through the 1967 race riots there. At a time of civil unrest, the National Guard and the Army were called in and the riots left 43 dead, 1,189 injured, 7,200 people arrested, and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed. Somehow Bowie turned that story and that historical event into what has been described as a Salsa variation on a Bo Diddley beat and an extension of Martha and the Vandellas song Nowhere to Run.

Bowie re-recorded the song in 1979 to air on the Kenny Everett's New Year's Eve Show, but it didn't make it on air. That version eventually made its way to a 1992 CD re-release of Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps). It would also later appear on expanded editions of Heathen in 2002.

In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked Mick Ronson as the #64 spot on their list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and cited Panic in Detroit as his essential recording. His solo to close out the song is top notch.

Panic in Detroit is said to have been first performed live in 1972. Bowie waited almost a year before playing it again. It was performed frequently on the 73, 74, 76, 90, and 97 tours and made a fair amount of appearances on the 2004 tour as well. In case people missed it in the links, there is a 13-minute long performance from the 1976.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

ChangesNowBowie released today. A 1996 recording Broadcast on the BBC - mostly acoustic versions of some of his catalogue.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

36 - David Bowie - Panic In Detroit

YES!!!  

 

[Anarchy99]

#35 - David Bowie - Modern Love (Let's Dance - 1983), (Rehearsal W/SRV - 1983), (Live - 1983), (Live - 1985), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990), (Live - 2003), (Live - 2004)
Covers: Matchbox Twenty, Eiffel, John Frusciante, Plain Steel, Jenny & The Scallywags, The Engagements, Leslie Wai, Our June Lions, Quadriphonix, Kevin Johansen, Sunshiners, Simone Ringer, The Right Here, Pizza!, Parry Ray, Jason Saulnier, Luciano Tomasello, Daniel Music, Biffy Clyro, Eric Watts, Butthole Cruisers, Ecko Presents Bossardo, Geva Alon, Astrid Young, Lea DeLaria, Gina Chavez, Banda Phix, Last Town Chorus, Mipso, Raphael, Shira Evenchen, Gianni Scianname & Sam Lorenzini, Starlit, Wildlife, Rogue Wave, Sweet Wine, Marie Mazziotti, Mychael LaMorte, Nash's Reprise, David Fonseca & Manuela Azevedo, Jeff Duff, Capital 6, Stan Hall, Anie, Greg Dulli, The Hens, J. Gold, Bret Mosley, Twin Mirrors, Cherry Knives, Russ Crandall, The Matinees, Bambara, Josef A, Subtext

First let me say that I like Modern Love . . . it's fun, it's poppy, it's catchy, it's peppy, it's a toe tapper, and it's got a good hook. Compared to most of Bowie's catalog, it's a ray of sunshine and happy go lucky by comparison. Omar Hakim's drums kick things off and the song takes off from there. 

But I think there are better songs on the Let's Dance album. The lyrics don't make a whole lot of sense, the chorus is repeated over and over, and the music itself isn't exactly innovative or revolutionary. Maybe it just strikes me as TOO poppy. When you've heard it 1,000 times, it gets pretty repetitive quickly. It's one of the few Bowie songs where I much prefer the studio version over any of the live versions.

The single was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It kicked off the Let's Dance album, an album that only took 19 days to record from start to finish. The B-Side was a live version of the song.

IMO, they never got this one right when performed life. The guitar to kick off the track was never the same as the album version. Maybe the secret sauce on this one was SRV. The mix in general to me seemed off. On some performances, I thought they went a little overboard with the horn section. The 83 / 87 shows added a bunch of dancers during the performance, which took away from the song. Bowie used to end his shows on those tours with Modern Love, which to me was a bit of a let down. It was also regularly performed on the 1990 tour and was in the mix a fair amount in 2003 and 2004.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

#35 - David Bowie - Modern Love (Let's Dance - 1983), (Rehearsal W/SRV - 1983), (Live - 1983), (Live - 1985), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990), (Live - 2003), (Live - 2004)
Covers: Matchbox Twenty, Eiffel, John Frusciante, Plain Steel, Jenny & The Scallywags, The Engagements, Leslie Wai, Our June Lions, Quadriphonix, Kevin Johansen, Sunshiners, Simone Ringer, The Right Here, Pizza!, Parry Ray, Jason Saulnier, Luciano Tomasello, Daniel Music, Biffy Clyro, Eric Watts, Butthole Cruisers, Ecko Presents Bossardo, Geva Alon, Astrid Young, Lea DeLaria, Gina Chavez, Banda Phix, Last Town Chorus, Mipso, Raphael, Shira Evenchen, Gianni Scianname & Sam Lorenzini, Starlit, Wildlife, Rogue Wave, Sweet Wine, Marie Mazziotti, Mychael LaMorte, Nash's Reprise, David Fonseca & Manuela Azevedo, Jeff Duff, Capital 6, Stan Hall, Anie, Greg Dulli, The Hens, J. Gold, Bret Mosley, Twin Mirrors, Cherry Knives, Russ Crandall, The Matinees, Bambara, Josef A, Subtext

First let me say that I like Modern Love . . . it's fun, it's poppy, it's catchy, it's peppy, it's a toe tapper, and it's got a good hook. Compared to most of Bowie's catalog, it's a ray of sunshine and happy go lucky by comparison. Omar Hakim's drums kick things off and the song takes off from there. 

But I think there are better songs on the Let's Dance album. The lyrics don't make a whole lot of sense, the chorus is repeated over and over, and the music itself isn't exactly innovative or revolutionary. Maybe it just strikes me as TOO poppy. When you've heard it 1,000 times, it gets pretty repetitive quickly. It's one of the few Bowie songs where I much prefer the studio version over any of the live versions.

The single was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It kicked off the Let's Dance album, an album that only took 19 days to record from start to finish. The B-Side was a live version of the song.

IMO, they never got this one right when performed life. The guitar to kick off the track was never the same as the album version. Maybe the secret sauce on this one was SRV. The mix in general to me seemed off. On some performances, I thought they went a little overboard with the horn section. The 83 / 87 shows added a bunch of dancers during the performance, which took away from the song. Bowie used to end his shows on those tours with Modern Love, which to me was a bit of a let down. It was also regularly performed on the 1990 tour and was in the mix a fair amount in 2003 and 2004.

I can't believe how many times the song was covered. 

 

[Anarchy99]

I can't believe how many times the song was covered. 

There are plenty more. I just got tired of linking them (people aren't realistically going to listen to them anyway). Plus pretty much for any song, I have more versions in my own collection that aren't on YouTube, and I don't really have the time or interest to post them somewhere. There have been any number of Bowie tribute albums over the years (which don't seem to have been uploaded anywhere), and that could probably get us 10-12 covers of any of the popular songs right there.

 

[Anarchy99]

#34 - David Bowie - Fame (Young Americans - 1975), (Fame '90 - 1990), (Live - 1975), (Live - 1976), (Live - 1978), (Live - 1983), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990), (Live - 1997), (Live - 1998), (Live - 2000), (Live - 2002), (Live - 2003)
Covers: George Michael, Scott Weiland, Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Duran Duran, David Byrne, Dr. Dre, Tommy Lee, Daryl Hall, Sebastian Bach & Nuno Bettencourt, Eurythmics, Rikki Rockett, Flaming Lips, God Lives Underwater, Ayla, Aqueous, Infectious Grooves, Lazer Cake, Cassandra Maze, LWF2016, Dennis Coffey, Steve Ruxton, Spank Happy, All Leather, Ingrid James, Eddy McManus, Sweet Wine, The Ho Ho's, Vacant Lots, Sombra, David Fonseca & Marta Ren, Lowbuget Allstars, Vitamin String Quartet, Mike Wofford, Rockridge Synthesizer Orchestra, Lucky Strike, Distant Stars, Inept Blue, Morgan & Megahertz, Alfonso André, Danny Nargang & Amy Dixon, BBGUNS, Robert William Haddock The First, Carl Bahner, 

I would have ranked it #1 overall but @Ghost Riderwould not allow it. So it plummets all the way to #34 instead. Tough crowd. Bowie's first of two #1 songs to top the Billboard singles chart. Written by Bowie, Carlos Alomar, and John Lennon (who dabbles on guitar and backing vocals). The song is one of four of Bowie's songs to be included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock 'N' Roll" (which I believe is now up to 660 songs). SPOILER ALERT: the other 3 of these songs are still to come. The song was remixed a half dozen ways in 1990, one of which made it onto the soundtrack for Pretty Woman. This song definitely kept Carlos Alomar's bills paid. Easilt one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history. Yes, it's this song has been played to death, but it still gets pretty regular airplay 45 years after it's release. IMO, Young Americans the album was a bit of a disappointment (compared to all the other Bowie albums in the 70's).

Fame was the song Bowie performed the most over his career. It started getting performed in 1975 (on TV) and was in the set list almost every show (if not every show) until his final full performance at the Hurricane Festival in 2004. While I mostly like the original studio version, I like the live versions 1983 and newer. Bowie started changing up the arrangements, the performance, and the instrumentation from that point forward. The Serious Moonlight version is a little harder and edgier. The Glass Spider version usually included snippets of  "Lavender's Blue", "London Bridge", "War," and "Who Will Buy?" The Reeves Gabrels era added the Is It Any Wonder intro and slowed the song down some. IMO, all more interesting to listen to than the radio / album version.

And for those wondering, no, this song was not going to be ranked #1 and it is still ranked in the same spot. That first line of covers isn't exactly chopped liver as far as artists go.

 

[Ghost Rider]

34 is still way too high, but at least you were kidding about it being number 1. I might have wept for you had that been the case.

Modern Love at 35 sounds about right, although I might have a little higher.

Same for Panic in Detroit, which I might have had a tough higher, but am fine with it in that spot.

 

[Anarchy99]

34 is still way too high, but at least you were kidding about it being number 1. I might have wept for you had that been the case.

Modern Love at 35 sounds about right, although I might have a little higher.

Same for Panic in Detroit, which I might have had a tough higher, but am fine with it in that spot.

I will gladly issue a full refund to anyone who disapproves of the rankings. Call it a double your money back guarantee.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I will gladly issue a full refund to anyone who disapproves of the rankings. Call it a double your money back guarantee.

 

[Anarchy99]

#33 - David Bowie - Blackstar (★ - 2016)
Covers: Sting, Anna Calvi & Amanda Palme, Maya Beiser, Eve & Julia, Troker, Sagy Segal, Seward, Nai Palm, Car Seat Headrest, Black Cloud, Adamore, Gary Wadoo, Valtteri Nieminen, Momus, Coenurus, Federico Borluzzi, Ethan Gossett, Absolute Bowie, Elarmir

It's weird having just one link on the top line . . . no other versions, no live performances, nothing else . . .

Out of nowhere, this song just appeared out of the heavens for digital download at the end of 2015. I don't know what I will be doing on my deathbed, but rest assured, it won't be recording a 10-minute powerhouse song and filming a video to go along with it. Or as one of the comments on YouTube reads . . . "you're dying, so you decide to write a 10-minute Gregorian chant, hip-hop, techno-jazz, rock opera?" This song has so many moods, layers, textures, instruments, and permutations that even now it is hard to process just how much is embedded in it. A true masterpiece. Hats off to producer Tony Visconti on this one, as he captured magic on tape. The original version was over 11 minutes long, but iTunes would not post singles over 10 minutes long so the song was edited. Boo, hiss, catcalls!

The album by this point has sold 2 million copies. It topped 28 album charts around the world. It was the only Bowie album to ever reach #1 on the U.S. Billboard album charts (which is staggering in its own right). The album was recorded in secrecy . . . Bowie didn't even use his usual gang of bandmates to record it. It was released on his 69th birthday. The album dropping shocked the worled. Bowie died two days later. That shocked the world even more.

Blackstar was the 6th Bowie album to earn a 5-star rating from All Music Guide (along with Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Low, Heroes, and Scary Monsters). The Guardian ranks it at #24 on their 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century list. It ranked 5th worldwide in album sales that year.

The album won Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album, Best Engineered Non-Classical Album, and Best Recording Package. The title song won Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. The album was also awarded the British Album of the Year and Metacritic named it the most critically acclaimed album of the year by music publications. At the time, the single was the longest song to ever hit the Billboard charts (later broken by Tool's Fear Inoculum).

The only reason I didn't rank it higher is it is difficult to sit through the entire song, and it's also not exactly one of the tried and true Bowie songs you want to throw on to get in a good mood and get your blood flowing. You erally have to be in the mood to listen to it. This one is some pretty heady, heavy stuff. It's War & Peace in a Twitter-based world.

 

[Gr00vus]

Wonderful thread here @Anarchy99. I appreciate you giving attention to Tin Machine and Never Let Me Down. I like the songs from those more than most probably (the Tin Machine cover of "If There Is Something" is awesome, sorry if that's spotlighting, I figured it wouldn't appear in your top 30). Tonight has always been up there for me as well, far out of proportion with how most of the rest of the world views it I think. I recognize its flaws and limitations, and I think it may be that I like it so much because it's an Omar Hakim album as much as a Bowie one. They let Omar lose much more than on Let's Dance. Dancing With The Big Boys is my favorite from Tonight, Omar's drum track is just so huge.

 

[Anarchy99]

#32 - David Bowie - Absolute Beginners (Absolute Beginners Soundtrack - 1986), (Live - 1987), (Live - 2000), (Live - 2002)
Covers: Info Riot, Pipes, Carla Bruni, Cary Brothers, Scott Lucas, Michael C. Hall, Andrea Chimenti, Craig Hood, Nicoletta Noè, Echo Bowie, Claire Walker, Sunflower, Rui Taipa, Wildlife, Saint Etienne, Momus, Coves, Tiago Bettencourt, Jackson Taylor, Acoustic String Ensemble, Reincidentes, Den Driscoll, Paolo Pardini Kairos, Jack O'Rourke, Doug Sheridan, Peter Morén, Marek Napiórkowski, Flies On The Square Egg, Once More Into The Bleach, Orchestra Of Sergio Rafael, Rüdiger Krause, Francesco Digilio, Bobby McBride, EPM Project, Ground Control, Lorenzo Corti, Sonnets & Sisters, Wells Jordan, Preoccupied Pipers, Impro Lab, 8-Bit Arcade, Los Sub, The Silent Party, 

From the mystery, anguish, and pathos of Blackstar to the bubblegum, love song, syrup-y, can't-get-enough-of-the-sap known as Absolute Beginners. I just want to bath in it and rub it all over . . . towel off, and jump right back in again. This one comes from a much different, happier, and innocent time of my life compared to whatever it is we all are living right now. Life was new, fun, and refreshing as a 19 year old without a care in the world. Now . . . not so much. Back when I could eat out all the time and eat whatever I wanted. Go to the beach, the movies every other day, concerts, and actually hang out with friends. When I would listen to this song on a Sony Walkman on a mix tape. When women were mysterious instead of the person you shelter-in-place with day after day.

Compared to his 70's and 80's crew, this one had mostly new musicians. Rick Wakeman – piano, Kevin Armstrong – guitar, Matthew Seligman – bass, and Neil Conti – drums. Bowie actually had a role in the film and had a couple other songs on the soundtrack album (That's Motivation and Volare). The title track of the song made more money than the film did at the box office. The director of the film had directed Bowie's Jazzin' For Blue Jean video and asked Bowie to write the song for the movie. Bowie agreed only if he could act in the film.

The song hit #2 on the British singles chart and #9 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It hit #1 in Ireland and Poland and was a Top 10 song in 10 countries. It peaked at only 53 in the U.S. singles chart. This one was a regular on the 1987 Glass Spider tour. It was revived for the 2000 mini tour, as well as a few times in 2002.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Absolutely my 80s favorite. He never sounded more human.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Blackstar is a great song, but I agree it can be a tough listen.  Definitely one of those songs you have to be in the right mood to fully enjoy.

 

[Anarchy99]

#31 - David Bowie - Diamond Dogs (Diamond Dogs - 1974), (Live - 1974), (Live - 1976), (Live - 1996), (Live - 2004)
Covers: Beck, Duran Duran, Gilby Clarke, Slip-On's, Bernard Fowler, Lucky Strike, Julia Kasdorf, El Duke Andaluz, Peter Tork, Monzon, DashGo, Alix Diviant, Ziggy, Super Duper, Graveyard School, Lindsay Katt, Enrico Ruggeri, John Vanderslice, Mike Boom, Judæn Matchmakers, Itchy Ear, Alex Scott Douglas, Pill Squad, Ten Jinn, George Wagoner, Chim Wallace, DeafboyOne, Brian Harris, Marcony

Bowie traded in his Ziggy Stardust persona to become Halloween Jack instead. The title track of the Diamond Dogs album was released as a single in the UK and hit #21 on the singles chart there. Singles were also pressed for release in the U.S., but the label thought better of it thinking the song's bleak content, length, and inability to dance to did not make it single worthy. The B-Side was Holy Holy (#47 on this list).

Most of the songs on the album were recorded very quickly, with tracks recorded in three day increments. Bowie was said to have been writing things as they went along. Some of the band thought the music and the album concept were weird, and at the time they were told it was going to be a George Orwell musical (that eventually got scrubbed). Bowie plays guitar himself on this one. I always liked the chords and progressions on this one. The song is a little odd . . . but not enough for me to shy away from it. I also turn up the volume whenever I hear it. It was performed regularly on the 1974 and 1976 tours. It returned on a limited basis in 1996 and 2004.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

#31 - David Bowie plays guitar himself on this one. I always liked the chords and progressions on this one. 

Quite impressive, I always assumed it was Ronson or Alomar.

 

[Anarchy99]

#30 - David Bowie - Star (The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars - 1972), (Live - 1972), (Live - 1978), (Rehearsal W/SRV - 1983), (Live - 1983)
Covers: Cuff The Duke, Frankenstein 3000, Capsula, 

Oh the irony. Bowie singing as a wannabe rock star as he was actually becoming a rock star. After Ziggy Stardust, he proved he could make the transformation and become the wild mutation as a rock and roll star. I was actually surprised that this track does not really get written up very much on the web. Not a lot out there for back story, which leads me to believe that a lot of folks must think this one isn't a core piece of the Ziggy Stardust album. I beg to differ, as it stands up to the other tracks on the album. Maybe that's because I listen to the album straight through all the time. Maybe others will be unfamiliar with the song?!? I guess 48 years later it's not exactly a song people are going to hear in a mall, on the radio, or in an elevator.

I generally prefer upbeat songs, things I would listen to while exercising, things I could play air guitar or air drums on, and songs I could sing along to. Basically, eveything that Blackstar is not. Star is a fun song, it's catchy, and I love the clanging piano, the drums, the backing vocals, and the crunching guitar riff. That and the mix and production are top notch. Sure, the rags to ritches / rock star story line has been common over the years (Foreigner - Juke Box Hero, Bad Company - Shooting Star, Byrds - So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star, Boston - Rock & Roll Band, Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69, Dire Straits - Money For Nothing, Nickelback - Rockstar, to name a few . . . and I am sure there are tons more).

Trying to find covers of this one is nearly impossible. Bowie has 9 songs with "Star" in the title, so any search for just "Star" filters all the other songs (and there are plenty that are more common and more popular than this one).

Star was only played on the 1978 and 1983 tours. The only other time it was performed live was on a BBC broadcast in 1972 (linked above). I find it odd that it would not have been included as a mainstay in 72 / 73 in the heart of the Ziggy tour brigade (and that it was ignored the rest of the time except for those two tours). The Serious Moonlight version features some good fretwork by Earl Slick to close out the song.

 

[Anarchy99]

#29 - David Gilmour Featuring David Bowie - Comfortably Numb (Remember That Night DVD - 2006), (Rehearsal - 2006)
Other Covers Of Pink Floyd Songs: Arnold Layne - 2006, See Emily Play - 1973

SAY WHAT KNOW???? Bowie and Gilmour on the same stage? Yes please. Fur reals. Pinch me . . . did it really happen? Playing one of the most famous songs ever recorded. A one off for the ages . . . from London on 2006-05-29. I don't know if people know of this collaboration, so it may surprise a lot of people. Enjoy!

I really wasn't sure where to slot this one. With all the other covers back at the beginning of the list? As it's own entry with the collaborations? In the Top 100? Top 10? This spot seems as good as any. So I saved all the PF related numbers and clumped them together here. I didn't really want to rank it much higher, as it really isn't a Bowie song.

Bowie would only make two more public appearances / live performances after this. As far as the list goes, it's pretty much cheating. Let's be honest . . . Gilmour does all the heavy lifting here and Bowie only gets a couple of verses to sing. But to have been there would have been majestic . . . and a complete luck of the draw. No one knew it was coming, and Gilmour played the next two nights and Bowie did not return for those performances. 

Arnold Layne was played BEFORE Comfortably Numb that night (and is brilliant in its own right). But it doesn't have the shock value on the list as Comfortably Numb does, so I kept my powder dry and held it back until know. Bowie's voice fits right in and harmonizes on Arnold Layne. You would almost think it was a Bowie song.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

#29 - David Gilmour Featuring David Bowie - Comfortably Numb (Remember That Night DVD - 2006), (Rehearsal - 2006)
Other Covers Of Pink Floyd Songs: Arnold Layne - 2006, See Emily Play - 1973

SAY WHAT KNOW???? Bowie and Gilmour on the same stage? Yes please. Fur reals. Pinch me . . . did it really happen? Playing one of the most famous songs ever recorded. A one off for the ages . . . from London on 2006-05-29. I don't know if people know of this collaboration, so it may surprise a lot of people. Enjoy!

I really wasn't sure where to slot this one. With all the other covers back at the beginning of the list? As it's own entry with the collaborations? In the Top 100? Top 10? This spot seems as good as any. So I saved all the PF related numbers and clumped them together here. I didn't really want to rank it much higher, as it really isn't a Bowie song.

Bowie would only make two more public appearances / live performances after this. As far as the list goes, it's pretty much cheating. Let's be honest . . . Gilmour does all the heavy lifting here and Bowie only gets a couple of verses to sing. But to have been there would have been majestic . . . and a complete luck of the draw. No one knew it was coming, and Gilmour played the next two nights and Bowie did not return for those performances. 

Arnold Layne was played BEFORE Comfortably Numb that night (and is brilliant in its own right). But it doesn't have the shock value on the list as Comfortably Numb does, so I kept my powder dry and held it back until know. Bowie's voice fits right in and harmonizes on Arnold Layne. You would almost think it was a Bowie song.

I've discovered this down a YouTube rabbit hole. It is very cool - but not sure it really should have made this list (for the reasons you call it "cheating"). It's great though.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I remember getting the Gilmour live DVD and being surprised to see that Bowie was there for a couple of songs. I thought he did okay on Arnold Layne, but his live voice by then wasn't very strong, and he really struggled with the verses in Comfortably Numb.  Then again, I have a hard time with just about anyone not named Roger Waters singing them.  I thought Pink Floyd did it best on their Roger-less tours when they had Richard Wright, Jon Carin and Guy Pratt sing them as harmonies rather than just one guy having a go at it.  But that's a whole other story...

 

[Anarchy99]

#28 - David Bowie - All The Young Dudes (Unreleased - 1972), (Live - 1973), (Live - 1974), (Freddie Mercury Tribute - 1992), (Live - 1996), (Live - 1997), (Live - 2000), (Live - 2003), (Live - 2004)
Original Mott The Hoople Version: Mott The Hoople - 1972
Covers: Bruce Dickinson, Ozzy Ossbourne, Tesla, Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots & Slash, Mick Ronson, World Party, The Church, Michael Stipe, Chevy Metal W/Dave Grohl, Oasis, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Robyn Hitchcock, Gene Loves Jezebel, Jimmy Barnes, Travis, Skids, Cybernauts, Peter Murphy, Hello, Shortparis, Lisa Loeb, Adam Bomb, Valensia, Blue Zoo, Switchblade Kittens, Eva Y Los Covernícolas, WaveGroup, Cory White, Paul LaScola, Arno, New Standards, Lazarus Cast, Domino, Paul McDonough & Sean Yadisernia, Angel, The F-Ups, Fired Up, Zayra, Top Of The Poppers, Sshh Liguz, Rebelles, 3rd Alley, C.C.C.P., Catherines Cathedral, Fury In The Slaughterhouse, Children Of The Revolution, Phe Cullen, Honeyriders, Enrico Ruggeri, Strines, Thunderbirds A' Go-Go, Mongo, Wild Street, Joe McGinty, Razorblades, Glasgow Tiki Shakers, Lazy, Spencer Albee, Stephen Randall, Armstrong Hicks, Big Dutch Babies, I.R.D., Mr. Y-Not & Addict, Input, Moon Flag, Vichy Government, EPM Project, Teenage Daydreams, Pullouts, Balkan Falcon, Princes Of The Sun, 8-Bit Arcade, Paul Sings The Hits, McKinley Claire, Daisy Ad, Patrick Mealey, International Swingers, Jill Sobule, Adam Mormolstein

The last of the unreleased Ziggy era tracks. Bowie was friends with members of Mott The Hoople, who were set to disband for lack of commercial success. Bowie intervened and offered them Suffragette City, which the band turned down. Not sure which is more alarming in this story . . . that they turned down Suffragette City, or that Bowie could promise them a megahit and then make good on the promise. Bowie also offered the band Drive-In Saturday and they declined that, too.

Bowie then wrote and gave them All The Young Dudes (which he recorded around the same time). In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked the song as the #256 greatest song of all time. Bowie sang backing vocals on the Matt The Hoople version (similar to the Freddy Mercury Tribute version).

A classic rock anthem, this one will certainly spark the debate as to whether it should count as a Bowie tune. To which I would say 1) he wrote the song, 2) he recorded it in the studio in 1972 multiple times (versions of which finally came out in 1995), and 3) he performed it 228 times over a 30 year span, and it was a regular song on three of his tours. Essentially, he treated it like it was one of his own songs pretty much from the beginning. Some versions on the history and folklore of the song indicate Bowie intended to use the song on the Ziggy Stardust album after he had written it, but thought better of it after Mott decided to use it and it became a hit.

Based on the popularity of the song, Mott The Hoople took to the road with a little known American group opening for them . . . a band called Aerosmith. Mott ended up breaking up soon anyway, and guitarist Mick Ralphs moved on and teamed up with Paul Rodgers to form Bad Company. Singer Ian Hunter ended up having a successful solo career 

The song ended up as part of a multi-song medley on Bowie's 1973 Ziggy tour. It was a mainstay in his performances in 1974, 1997, and 2004. And it appeared multiple times in 1996, 2000, and 2003.

Not that we really need to discuss just how OUT THERE Bowie really was, but his 1979 song Move On uses All The Young Dudes played BACKWARDS as the backing track to the song. LINK.  Here is the song played NORMALLY, and All The Young Dudes is unrecognizable playing in the background.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

#29 - David Gilmour Featuring David Bowie - Comfortably Numb (Remember That Night DVD - 2006), (Rehearsal - 2006)
Other Covers Of Pink Floyd Songs: Arnold Layne - 2006, See Emily Play - 1973

SAY WHAT KNOW???? Bowie and Gilmour on the same stage? Yes please. Fur reals. Pinch me . . . did it really happen? Playing one of the most famous songs ever recorded. A one off for the ages . . . from London on 2006-05-29. I don't know if people know of this collaboration, so it may surprise a lot of people. Enjoy!

I really wasn't sure where to slot this one. With all the other covers back at the beginning of the list? As it's own entry with the collaborations? In the Top 100? Top 10? This spot seems as good as any. So I saved all the PF related numbers and clumped them together here. I didn't really want to rank it much higher, as it really isn't a Bowie song.

Bowie would only make two more public appearances / live performances after this. As far as the list goes, it's pretty much cheating. Let's be honest . . . Gilmour does all the heavy lifting here and Bowie only gets a couple of verses to sing. But to have been there would have been majestic . . . and a complete luck of the draw. No one knew it was coming, and Gilmour played the next two nights and Bowie did not return for those performances. 

Arnold Layne was played BEFORE Comfortably Numb that night (and is brilliant in its own right). But it doesn't have the shock value on the list as Comfortably Numb does, so I kept my powder dry and held it back until know. Bowie's voice fits right in and harmonizes on Arnold Layne. You would almost think it was a Bowie song.

I love Bowie, and (obviously) this song, but you're right.  Gilmour, as always, and Richard Wright did the heavy lifting.  I didn't think Bowie's vocals were a good fit here, but his mere presence would have been amazing to see.  Actually, after hearing it a couple more times, I'm liking Bowie's vocals a little better.  BTW, Eddie Vedder also did a great turn on this with Waters.

 

[Anarchy99]

#27 - Tin Machine - Heaven's In Here (Tin Machine - 1989), (First-Ever Performance - 1989), (Live - 1991), (Last Ever Performance - 1992)
Covers: The Boogie Flu, Carlguitar69

Bowie returned home from his Glass Spider tour in December of 1987. A little over 6 months later, he sat down with the members of his newly formed band Tin Machine, and this was the result of their first effort . . . PUT TOGETHER IN A SINGLE DAY. Heaven's In Here is the first song they wrote and recorded . . . the first song they ever performed live . . . and the last song they played on their final gig. The Tin Machine era started in the Summer of 1988 and ended in early 1992. Sandwiched in the middle was a 9-month, 122-date solo world tour in 1990, which IMO spelled trouble as the rest of the band sat around for a year waiting for his highness to get back to the studio with them. Overall, commercially this diversion for Bowie would have to be looked at as a failure. Their albums didn't sell very well, they could only fill clubs and not arenas, and it's unlikely that they turned a profit. But musically, I still listen to all their material and find it to be just as good and enjoyable 30 years later . . . even if very few people bought it or were into it. There was a music video released for the song, but I have searched for it and it's not posted anywhere.

The Tin Machine sound stands apart from the rest of Bowie's catalog. To my ears, as I said earlier, it's much more grip it and rip it, not a lot of instruments, not a lot of layers, not a lot of production / effects / mixing / overdubs. It's pretty basic and much more a straight forward rock and bluesy sound. Bowie sounds refreshed and sounds like he is really enjoying himself. Unfortunately, the sound didn't attract a big following. It came out in the big hair / glam metal era. It predated the grunge era. Artists that were formerly considered alternative had became mainstream (R.E.M., The Cure, etc.). Tin Machine had to compete against bands like U2, Metallica, GNR, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard. They did not sound like the big selling Bowie songs (and it alienated traditional Bowie fans). After he came off a monster greatest hits tour, fans wanted more of his greatest hits . . . not something completely different that wasn't happy or melodic. It's hard to get farther apart than the songs "Never let Me Down" and "Crack City". Given that not many people can play guitar like Gabrels and have someone that can sing like Bowie, it's not surprising there aren't many covers of this one.

The first Tin Machine song I heard was Under The God (which I much preferred to his wimpy / pop sound on Never Let Me Down . . . but that also had a lot to do with being a more rebellious college age). When I heard Heaven's In Here, the song also stuck with me right away. Reeves Gabrels goes all over the place with his guitar prowess, the backing guitar track keeps chugging and churning throughout the song, and the drum fills fit perfectly with the song. Overall, the best effort from Tin Machine. Some of their live performances of the song stretched 10, 11, 12, 13+ minutes long. Excluding TV shows and promotional appearances, the band only played live somewhere in the 65-75 full shows . . . and those typically clocked in at about 90 minutes long. They took pleasure in being loud and proud.

Bowie would next appear with the song Real Cool World six months later on the Songs From The Cool World soundtrack and then the following year with Black Tie White Noise, returning to a similar sound he had in the late 80's. I would have gladly taken another Tin Machine album over that . . . but sadly, I was in the minority. Black Tie White Nosie topped the UK album charts and hit the Top 40 in U.S. album sales. The second Tin Machine album only made it to 23 in Britain and 128 on the U.S. album charts. Their live album did not chart at all.

Up next, we go back to the 80's with a song about a girl named after a pair of pants.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Up next, we go back to the 80's with a song about a girl named after a pair of pants.

Not exactly a Riddle of the Sphinx level mystery.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I'm a little disappointed in the start of the Top 30 (including what will be 26) so far. I applaud your efforts and work though.

 

[Anarchy99]

I'm a little disappointed in the start of the Top 30 (including what will be 26) so far. I applaud your efforts and work though.

Like I told Ghost Rider . . . double your money back for all dissatisfied customers.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Like I told Ghost Rider . . . double your money back for all dissatisfied customers.

I get it. We’d all have different lists and they’d all be filled with great songs. It’s subjective. I like his mid/late 70s stuff the best - but like you I did grow up with that 80s/early 90s stuff. 

All of his eras have something to offer which makes him very unique. 

 

[Anarchy99]

I get it. We’d all have different lists and they’d all be filled with great songs. It’s subjective. I like his mid/late 70s stuff the best - but like you I did grow up with that 80s/early 90s stuff. 

All of his eras have something to offer which makes him very unique. 

Most of the Top 25 should be in your wheelhouse. There are a few you might hold your nose over, but probably not that many. 

 

[Anarchy99]

#26 - David Bowie - Blue Jean (Tonight - 1984), (Extended Version - 1984), (Jazzin' For Blue Jean Video - 1984), (MTV VMA Video - 1984), (Live - 1987), (Live - 1990), (Live - 2004)
Covers: David Fonseca & Catarina Salinas, Electric Six, Papercranes, Wildlife, Ameritz, Gallery Of Fear, Example 2, Robbie Nichols, ACME Music Trio, The Hots, Echo Bowie, Mick Gaze, Chevy Metal, Scott Erickson, Sweet Little Band, Piano Superstar, Flies On The Square Egg, Red Appendix, Tribute Stars

Sure, Bowie has many songs that are better than this one . . . plenty of the songs we have already covered are BETTER songs. But as I have been saying all along, some songs have a sense of attachment baked into them, and this is one of those songs for me. I got into Bowie starting with Let's Dance. I started exploring his back catalog from there, but this was the first NEW BOWIE album I could say I ever purchased. By the time I bought the Let's Dance album, it had been out a while. I had been to one of the Serious Moonlight shows and bought the Tonight album the day it dropped. I remember going to an independent record store to buy the vinyl album just before the new school year started. (What was the last vinyl album you bought? That's a candidate for a new topic.) It was either there or Sam Goody's (anyone remember that chain . . . it eventually got bought out by Best Buy).

I had a discussion with the shop owner, who was also a Bowie fan. She showed me an awesome picture she took from the front row of the same show I had gone to (which she had blown up poster size). She encouraged me to buy the Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture soundtrack (which was relatively new to the market 10 years after the fact). Good times.

Anyway, Blue Jean is one of those guilty pleasures for me. Not yet owning a ton of DB albums, I played Tonight a ton while studying and doing homework. Bowie brought back most of the crew from the Let's Dance album and tour (just not SRV or Earl Slick). Carlos Alomar was back (played on all albums from Young Americans to Scary Monsters and on the Serious Moonlight Tour). Omar Hakim was back on drums and Carmine Rojas back on bass. The horn section also returned. 

One critic described the song as "clever" and "catchy" and one of Bowie's "best second-rate hits." That all applies. No one would put this song in the Hall of Fame. Maybe not even in the Hall of Very Good. But it goes in my Hall of Good Memories. Back when we were still allowed to go out places, I heard this one regularly at stores, malls, the dentist, on the radio, etc.

Bowie made a 20+ minute short film for the song, for which Bowie won a Grammy. Oddly enough, that turned out to be the only Grammy Award Bowie would ever earn while he was still alive (in the "Best Video, Short Form" category). Apparently none of his songs over a 40 year career were Grammy worthy (until the very end).

Blue Jean was on the regular set list in 1987 and 1990. It made a few appearances on the 2004 tour as well.

 

[Anarchy99]

#25 - David Bowie - Loving The Alien ( A Reality Tour - 2003), (Tonight - 1984), (Video - 1984), (Live - 1987), (Back Story On Remade Version), (First Performance Of New Version - 2003)
Covers: Visage, Icehouse, The Frozen Autumn, Canary Goes Tweet Tweet, Miriam Aïda, Docker's Guild, The Scumfrog Remix, Vernian Process, Duality, Billy Crize, Tomasz Krzemiński, Camilla, InnuMaccaBand, Tony Cantero, Try The Bomb, Paolo Schiavi, Heartbreak, Elektronik Otpornik, weirdogilly, The Woman With No Head, Federica Zammarchi, Maxdown, Rockridge Synthesizer Orchestra, Adam Rudegeair, Maxwell's Complex, Actually, Bound Affairs, The Singularity Music, DVSTT, King A, Rober Freak, Horse Bones, 8-Bit Arcade, Shangrilla-Dolls

Before people climb all over me for this one, people need to listen to the song first, as I suspect not many people have ever heard the remade live version. I really like the reimagined version from the Reality Tour. It's a stripped down arrangement with only acoustic guitar and an electric guitar providing scaled runs in the background. This version becomes a lot more mystical, ambient, ethereal, and surreal. It also emphasizes Bowie's vocals way more. It comes across much more sincere and heartfelt. I like the original version, too, but it's hard to put into words why I like the updated version more. The original seems a little more forced / insincere / artificial / over produced. Either version is another reference to space and aliens. How many songs did he write with similar themes? If I were to rank the Tonight version, it would have probably been in the 90's on the list.

I know, I know. Technically having two songs from Tonight ranked this high will rub people the wrong way. But the remade version is beautiful. Guitarist Gerry Leonard explained how it came to be (linked above). Bowie called him on a Tuesday to perform the song that coming Saturday for a benefit appearance. DB wanted to do it in a different way with just the two of them. Leonard had never played the song before and met with DB to come up with a plan and to practice it on Friday night. I also linked the version they came up with for the next day. They refined it some when they started the 2003-04 tour. The song was also performed on the 87 Glass Spider tour (but the way it was written for the Tonight album). Leonard first started working with Bowie on the ill-fated album Toy in 2001.

Bowie performed for the Tibet House Benefit in 2001, 2002, and 2003. This song kicked off his 2003 performance, which was followed by Heathen (The Rays), Waterloo Sunset with Ray Davies, and Get Up Stand Up with Ziggy Marley. Never a dull moment even in a limited Bowie performance.