Songs14 min read
"Heroes" (1977): The Story Behind David Bowie's Most Anthemic Song
How a clandestine kiss by the Berlin Wall inspired one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded — the making of Bowie's "Heroes".
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Songs
From "Space Oddity" to "Lazarus," David Bowie wrote some of the most enduring songs in the history of popular music. Each article explores the origins, recording process, lyrical meaning, and cultural impact of his most significant compositions.
22 articles published
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Songs11 min read
Space Oddity (1969): Major Tom and the Moon Landing
How David Bowie's breakthrough single became synonymous with the Apollo 11 moon landing and launched a legendary career.
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Songs13 min read
Life on Mars? (1971): The Greatest Song of All Time
The making of David Bowie's magnum opus — from a rejected Frank Sinatra adaptation to one of the most celebrated songs in history.
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Songs11 min read
Under Pressure (1981): Bowie & Queen's Legendary Collaboration
The spontaneous studio session that produced one of rock's greatest duets — David Bowie and Freddie Mercury's "Under Pressure".
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Songs10 min read
Changes (1971): Bowie's Anthem of Self-Reinvention
The story behind David Bowie's signature song — a manifesto for constant artistic transformation.
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Songs11 min read
Starman (1972): The Song That Changed Pop Culture on Live Television
How David Bowie's performance of "Starman" on Top of the Pops became the most important three minutes in glam rock history.
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Songs10 min read
Ziggy Stardust (1972): The Song About the Alien Rock Star
The title track about the rise and fall of a Hendrix-inspired alien messiah — the song that gave the concept album its name.
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Songs9 min read
Suffragette City (1972): Glam Rock at Full Volume
Wham bam thank you ma'am — the high-energy glam rock classic from Ziggy Stardust that became a concert staple.
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Songs10 min read
The Jean Genie (1972): Iggy Pop Meets Glam Rock
Inspired by Iggy Pop and recorded during the American tour — the riff-driven single that became one of Bowie's biggest early hits.
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Songs10 min read
Rebel Rebel (1974): The Ultimate Glam Rock Anthem
Hot tramp, I love you so — Bowie's farewell to glam rock and one of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever recorded.
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Songs11 min read
Fame (1975): Bowie's First US Number One with John Lennon
The funky collaboration with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar that gave David Bowie his first number-one hit in America.
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Songs10 min read
Golden Years (1975): The Song Offered to Elvis Presley
Originally intended for the King of Rock and Roll — the soul-funk single that became a signature Bowie dance-floor hit.
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Songs9 min read
Sound and Vision (1977): Minimalist Pop from Low
The deceptively simple pop gem from Low — a minimalist masterpiece that became one of Bowie's most enduring singles.
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Songs12 min read
Ashes to Ashes (1980): Major Tom Returns
The sequel to Space Oddity, the most expensive music video of its era, and the bridge between Bowie's Berlin period and the New Romantic movement.
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Songs11 min read
Let's Dance (1983): The Song That Made Bowie a Superstar
Nile Rodgers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the irresistible dance hit that became Bowie's biggest-selling single worldwide.
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Songs10 min read
China Girl (1983): From Iggy Pop Demo to Worldwide Hit
Originally co-written with and recorded by Iggy Pop — the controversial single that found global success on Let's Dance.
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Songs9 min read
Modern Love (1983): Live Energy Captured on Record
The high-energy opening track of Let's Dance — later immortalized in Noah Baumbach's film Frances Ha.
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Songs9 min read
Blue Jean (1984): Bowie Parodies Himself
The Jazzin' for Blue Jean short film, a self-aware send-up of rock stardom, and the last single to chart well before Bowie's creative decline.
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Songs11 min read
Lazarus (2016): David Bowie's Final Single and Farewell
Look up here, I'm in heaven — the haunting final single that served as Bowie's deliberate goodbye to the world.
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Songs13 min read
Bowie's Songwriting Deep Cuts: All the Young Dudes, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, Lady Stardust
The lesser-known gems from Bowie's catalog — songs that fans adore but casual listeners may have missed.
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Songs12 min read
Bowie's Controversial Songs: TVC 15, DJ, Boys Keep Swinging
The experimental and provocative side of Bowie's songwriting — tracks that pushed boundaries and divided audiences.
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Songs12 min read
Songs Bowie Wrote for Other Artists: All the Young Dudes and Beyond
From saving Mott the Hoople's career to producing Lou Reed — the songs Bowie generously gave away to other musicians.
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