Five Deep Tracks from David Bowie
David Robert Jones, known to the world as David Bowie, was an iconic English musician, actor, and a seminal figure in the world of popular music, celebrated for his remarkable contributions and pioneering influence throughout the 20th century. Born in 1947, Bowie’s career spanned over five decades, marked by continual reinvention, bold visual presentation, and a diverse musical output that challenged and reshaped the landscape of music. Emerging in 1969 with the hit “Space Oddity,” Bowie catapulted to fame, especially with his Ziggy Stardust persona in the early 1970s, leading a glam rock revolution. His journey through various genres included the soul-infused “Young Americans” and the innovative Berlin Trilogy, collaborating with Brian Eno. Bowie’s artistry extended to acting, with memorable roles in films like “Labyrinth” and “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” Despite a hiatus from live performances in his later years, Bowie returned with “The Next Day” in 2013 and released his final album, “Blackstar,” just days before his death on January 10, 2016, leaving behind a legacy as a transformative, genre-defying artist who sold over 100 million records globally.
According to RadioX, Bowie’s 10 most popular songs during his career were: Under Pressure (with Queen), Heroes, Space Oddity, Let’s Dance, Starman, Rebel Rebel, Life on Mars?, Modern Love, Moonage Daydream, and Changes. While I am a fan of his entire catalog, I thought I’d focus this week’s music post on 5 songs from his back catalog that non-fans have probably never heard, but which remain on my current daily/weekly listening regimen:
I’m Deranged – from the album Outside (1995)
Looking for Satellites – from the album Earthling (1997)
Fly – from the album Reality (2003)
Baby Can Dance – from the Tin Machine eponymous album (1989)
