# David Bowie - what am I missing **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 23, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944 "2026-01-23T01:03:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/1 "2026-01-23T01:03:15Z")
I’ve thought about posting this for a while but, being the Dope, I have a feeling I know the answers I’ll get… but I am genuinely asking. I frequently read about what a force he was: > [@](#): > > David Bowie was unfathomable. Everything from his life to his career made him a true artist, the kind that only comes up every few generations. There was something about him, an undefinable quality. Something that captured audiences and continues to enthral listeners to this day. And it is exactly that something that shaped the modern Western music industry. > [@](#): > > The musician’s influence is noticeable in nearly every modern genre. His mashup of genres had a far-reaching impact on the music industry, influencing more artists and producers than one could count. He influenced rap and hip-hop artists such as Kanye West and Jay-Z, but also pop artists such as Madonna (her first concert was a David Bowie one) or Harry Styles. And on and on. I’m not knocking him, I don’t hate him, I’m just having trouble seeing his massive influence. One thing that I notice is that his music doesn’t seem pervasive in the culture like, say, the Beatles or the Stones. I read that he sold over 100 million albums but I almost never hear his music on the radio. Or in stores or in elevators. So clearly a lot of people like his music but I would think that if he is such a musical force, there would be a lot more of his music lingering in our current zeitgeist. Did he have a string of hits and I just missed them? Because lets be honest, as lyrics and melodies go, Major Tom is mediocre at best. And when was the last time you heard it these days? [I saw this today and it reminded me of my confusion.](https://www.instagram.com/p/DTXnzkPDvQe/) So, David Bowie… what am I missing? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/2 "2026-01-23T01:08:59Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I’m not knocking him, I don’t hate him, I’m just having trouble seeing his massive influence. Ditto. I don’t expect anyone to explain it to me, but I wanted to let you know you’re not alone in your puzzlement. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/3 "2026-01-23T01:30:04Z")
It probably depends on the type of music you’re listening too. I see all sorts of influences in later “glam rock” and/or “hair rock”, styles that were full of flamboyant, theatrical, over-the-top leading men and ladies, where it was about appearance on MTV as much as the music (or more so). I’d also say Bowie’s lyrics tended (not always by any means) to have more meaning and depth of storytelling than a lot of the other surf or self-indulgent rock, which had influence on lots of later singer-songwriters. But it’s the first point that sells it for me - huge acts like Madonna, Prince, et al of the 80s seem to be a direct lineage from Bowie, even if it’s not specifically his _musical_ style that’s being inherited. Very much IMHO of course. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/4 "2026-01-23T01:50:02Z")
The influence certainly has been VERY strong in the underground, moreso than in the mainstream, and that has been true for half a century+ now I’d say, but probably has waned a fair amount this century. I cannot speak for muzak, internet, radio, and other programmers, but I too haven’t heard much of anything by him in a public place or TV show/movie in quite awhile, but open to being proved wrong. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/5 "2026-01-23T02:02:54Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Did he have a string of hits and I just missed them? He did have a lot of success in the 70s and 80s, but maybe mostly outside of America? Not sure. But I hear his songs quite regularly around the place. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/6 "2026-01-23T02:03:54Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > I see all sorts of influences in later “glam rock” and/or “hair rock”, styles that were full of flamboyant, theatrical, over-the-top leading men and ladies, where it was about appearance on MTV as much as the music (or more so). He was also someone who helped support other acts, like Devo. > **[How Devo Became David Bowie’s “Band of the Future” and Then a MTV One Hit-Wonder](https://alt77.com/how-devo-became-david-bowies-band-of-the-future-and-then-a-mtv-one-hit-wonder/)** > > Devo was one of David Bowie's favorite bands, but with "Whip It!" they became one-hit wonders. What's the truth about their influence? He also partnered with Brian Eno for years. In this article, he is credited with helping Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Tina Turner get their careers turned around. > **[Five artists that David Bowie saved from destitution](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/five-artists-david-bowie-saved-from-destitution/)** > > From Iggy Pop to Tina Turner, we list five artists whose careers would have fizzled out had it not been for a helping hand from David Bowie. (I admit that I don’t know anything about the other two artists in that article.) My point is that Bowie’s influence goes beyond just the music that he performed. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/7 "2026-01-23T02:38:25Z")
Under Pressure (with Queen), Modern Love, China Girl, and Let’s Dance are staples of 80s stations. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/8 "2026-01-23T02:50:23Z")
And Heroes, Young Americans, Starman, and Fame. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/9 "2026-01-23T02:55:29Z")
Came to this thread to mention “Fame.” John Lennon is his back up singer on this one. I think he was the first white performer on the show. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mQWL22NcPiA/maxresdefault.jpg "David Bowie - Fame (fixed audio) Performance on the soul train 1975") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQWL22NcPiA) ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/10 "2026-01-23T03:19:28Z")
I guess he was the second white performer on _Soul Train_ after Elton John. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/11 "2026-01-23T03:57:48Z")
He did some really interesting stuff with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/FODvjYoVEi8/maxresdefault.jpg "David Bowie, Brian Eno and Tony Visconti record 'Warszawa' | Adam Buxton") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FODvjYoVEi8) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/12 "2026-01-23T04:16:07Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > He did have a lot of success in the 70s and 80s, but maybe mostly outside of America? He had three top-40 songs in the U.S. in 1975 (“Young Americans,” “Golden Years,” and “Fame,” which hit #1), and his 1970s albums nearly always made the top 40 in the U.S. “Under Pressure” (#29 in 1981) was his first top-40 song in the U.S. in six years. He left his longtime U.S. label, RCA, in '82, and signed with EMI; his first album after that, _Let’s Dance_, was a renaissance for him here, with three top-10 singles. > [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I read that he sold over 100 million albums but I almost never hear his music on the radio. Or in stores or in elevators. So clearly a lot of people like his music but I would think that if he is such a musical force, there would be a lot more of his music lingering in our current zeitgeist. I think it depends on what stations you’re listening to. I agree with the below: > [@Odesio](#): > > Under Pressure (with Queen), Modern Love, China Girl, and Let’s Dance are staples of 80s stations. > [@susan](#): > > And Heroes, Young Americans, Starman, and Fame. …which get frequent play on '70s and classic rock stations. I feel like I’ve heard some of his songs used in commercials recently (“Starman” comes to mind), but I suspect that some bands, like the Stones, have been more vigorous in selling their music for commercial use. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/13 "2026-01-23T05:12:40Z")
I mostly associate him with _Cat People_, the theme song of which he sang quite nicely. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/14 "2026-01-23T06:10:12Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I think it depends on what stations you’re listening to. I Yeah. I hear his songs all the time. For example, I just checked the playlist for WXRT, our local eclectic rock station, and David Bowie was played three times in the last 24 hours, the last two and a half hours ago: “Modern Love,” “Changes,” “China Girl.” The final song in the “Stranger Things” series, one the bigger TV pop culture phenomena of the last few years, was “Heroes.” Plus the Peter Gabriel version of the song was used twice before in the series. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/15 "2026-01-23T06:31:19Z")
One thing about Bowie is that his style didn’t simply evolve over time; he actively re-invented his musical style, and his persona, repeatedly over the course of his career. Just thinking about a few of his best-known songs: - “Space Oddity” is prog-tinged psychedelic folk rock - “Suffragette City” is glam rock - “Fame” is funk rock - “Modern Love” is poppy new-wave dance rock ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/16 "2026-01-23T13:11:33Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > One thing about Bowie is that his style didn’t simply evolve over time; he actively re-invented his musical style, and his persona, repeatedly over the course of his career. Yeah, it took me a long time to realise how many songs he sang because he had so many different sounds over his career (and I have a lousy memory). Just the other day I was wondering who sang “Rebel Rebel”, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/17 "2026-01-23T13:25:21Z")
Amazing musician, composer, lyricist. His work sits up there in mind right next to Elton John / Bernie Taupin, Paul McCartney / John Lennon, and a few others. Even though I can’t listen to some of his stuff (“Fame” and “Let’s Dance” are not my style), I appreciate the artistry. My favorite Bowie trivia: He wrote “All the Young Dudes” and gave it to Mott the Hoople, and that song saved them. What a great guy. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/18 "2026-01-23T13:40:39Z")
Though he wasn’t a great musician, David Bowie had a _very_ good eye for talent, and excellent intuition for knowing what “works” in music. When he became the producer for Lou Reed’s Transformer album, he knew Reed was a lousy musician, so he brought on some real talent (Mick Ronson). That album was successful because of Ronson’s talent, and Bowie’s skill of knowing what works and who to hire; Reed didn’t have much to do with the album. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/19 "2026-01-23T13:48:23Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > So, David Bowie… what am I missing? I’d be inclined to say his appeal was more theatrical than musical? To my ear, a lot of his songs seem to be rather ‘pasted together’… they don’t ‘flow’ very organically. He didn’t seem to have the natural melodic and harmonic talents of, say McCartney or Paul Simon. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944/20 "2026-01-23T13:49:33Z")
Just some speculation based on nothing more than being a person with a slightly above average amount of knowledge around certain corners of music: - Is it possible that his fame (heh) and influence is more apparent in the UK? I feel like there are a few acts often described as vital (The Kinks come to mind) who were never consistent chart-toppers in the US. - Bowie was influenced by The Velvet Underground… another band that countless musicians have referenced as inspirational but most people couldn’t identify a single song from. There’s an avant-garde element to Bowie- he was involved in and evolved a particular approach to music and to being a musician that set a course for others. He was a scene-maker and a trend-setter. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-bowie-what-am-i-missing/1026944.md?page=2)