Bowie Day 33 “Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed” (1969) Track 2 of “David Bowie (Space Oddity)”

Maybe this song would hit me different on another day, but I was mostly kind of impatient with this one. Some interesting dark lyrics, and nice guitar/harmonica but TOO LONG!

youtu.be/IXdZ57xhOik?...

Bowie Day 32 “Space Oddity” (1969) Track 1 of “David Bowie (Space Oddity)”

Okay here it is, Bowie’s first real hit. Important enough to me that I will devote more than a single post to it.

This song was my first real introduction to Bowie. I’d certainly heard other…cont.

youtu.be/MeS66Gl-ttA?...

But to summarize for this song, i think it’s just magical ultimately, in the way that truly great songs can be.

Though I’m sure he worked hard crafting it and refined it & put a lot of heart in the performance, it’s one of those songs that feels like it must have sprung into existence fully formed.

It does still share Bowie’s pattern of character songs and unusual instrumentation, but this song manages a feeling of importance and substance beyond just telling a short story about a guy.

Perhaps the emotional themes are more universal? I think many can relate to feeling lost and lonely.

Despite its ubiquity, the song remains extremely moving for me.

Bowie has said that it was inspired both by 2001: A Space Odyssey and by his own feelings of alienation regarding his career and a recent breakup. Space was also in the zeitgeist (a single of this was rushed out for the moon landing.)

And another, the first music video recorded in space, from astronaut Chris Hadfield.

youtu.be/pDyl6I6ESSw?...

… songs of his before but this was the first where I paid attention to who had made it.

It remains one of my absolute favorites from him and given how many pop-culture references it has, I know I’m not alone.

An example from the Venture Brothers…

youtu.be/-aqvIU1dkD8?...

Bowie Day 32 “Space Oddity” (1969) Track 1 of “David Bowie (Space Oddity)”

Okay here it is, Bowie’s first real hit. Important enough to me that I will devote more than a single post to it.

This song was my first real introduction to Bowie. I’d certainly heard other…cont.

youtu.be/MeS66Gl-ttA?...

Bowie Day 31 “Did You Ever Have A Dream” (1967) B-Side of the Love You Til Tuesday Single

A bubbly little bit of fluff, but fun enough. Unconventional sound, (brass, banjo and harpsichord?), and Bowie’s voice sounds different. Almost unrecognizable.

Tomorrow’s a big one!

youtu.be/b_EZITEBsPk?...

Bowie Day 31 “Did You Ever Have A Dream” (1967) B-Side of the Love You Til Tuesday Single

A bubbly little bit of fluff, but fun enough. Unconventional sound, (brass, banjo and harpsichord?), and Bowie’s voice sounds different. Almost unrecognizable.

Tomorrow’s a big one!

youtu.be/b_EZITEBsPk?...

Bowie Day 30 “Love You ‘til Tuesday (Single Version)” (1967)

A new version of the song on the album, I like it marginally better. Had a much fuller and more propulsive orchestral backing & an even-more-smiley vocal performance. Liked the other version, like this one too.

youtu.be/GiwpEWoA64A?...

Bowie Day 30 “Love You ‘til Tuesday (Single Version)” (1967)

A new version of the song on the album, I like it marginally better. Had a much fuller and more propulsive orchestral backing & an even-more-smiley vocal performance. Liked the other version, like this one too.

youtu.be/GiwpEWoA64A?...

Bowie Day 29 "Please Mr. Gravedigger" (1967) Track 14 (final) track of "David Bowie"

Okay, this is less a real song than a sort of sing-songy skit like on an old-fashioned variety show, but it's no less delightful for all that.

Full of footsteps, thunder and sneezes!

youtu.be/4GFwH8GXNTU?...

Bowie Day 29 "Please Mr. Gravedigger" (1967) Track 14 (final) track of "David Bowie"

Okay, this is less a real song than a sort of sing-songy skit like on an old-fashioned variety show, but it's no less delightful for all that.

Full of footsteps, thunder and sneezes!

youtu.be/4GFwH8GXNTU?...

Bowie Day 28 “Maid of Bond Street” Track 13 of “David Bowie”

Another waltz! Another character song, definitely a girl this time. About a young woman who is successful but lonely in high-fashion London.

Some nice rapid-fire lyrics here and a sweet sway in the music.

youtu.be/oJylDqgSbWw?...

Incredible.

I knew I could count on you.