# Your Favourite Bowie Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904 "2016-01-12T04:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/1 "2016-01-12T04:44:55Z")
[Loving the Alien](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8cENJO39Rs) from the Reality Tour: the original version always seemed like half a song, but Gerry Leonard’s arrangement makes it into something special. And Bowie’s vocal performance on this is just beautiful and heartbreaking. And [Subterraneans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVY2ERXkNgY) off the _Low_ album, because “bridingly shelley shelley aum”. ---
**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 12, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/2 "2016-01-12T04:54:43Z")
I love Bowie, though I admit to mostly being familiar with his ‘hits’. Ashes to Ashes is probably my favorite. I had a ‘greatest hits’ tape when I was an elementary-aged kid, and that was the track that mesmorized me, listening to it in the dark late at night. Cryptic, cautious lyrics, spaced-out synth, and acoustic sensibilities. I can bliss out on Heroes for an hour at a time, listening to that wailing guitar feedback over the slowly chugging grove. I love others as well, but if I could only have two, those would be them. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/3 "2016-01-12T04:59:30Z")
The [“Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)” duet with Bing Crosby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9kfdEyV3RQ). First time I saw/heard that, I was so not expecting it and really impressed with it (not a Bing Crosby fan); what can I say? It moved me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/4 "2016-01-12T05:14:02Z")
The ones with Stevie Ray. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/5 "2016-01-12T05:20:26Z")
[Right](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgjFgUJ-lLs). ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/6 "2016-01-12T05:38:16Z")
1. Modern Love 2. The Little Drummer Boy (with Bing Crosby) 3. Absolute Beginners 4. China Girl 5. Blue Jean ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/7 "2016-01-12T05:46:20Z")
I’m going to get out of here before I scream. Someone help. All the Young dudes Sufragette City Five Years Rock and Roll suicide Changes Life on mars Alladin Sane Hang on to yourself Oh you pretty things etc etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/8 "2016-01-12T05:57:31Z")
Heroes is one of the greatest songs ever written. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/9 "2016-01-12T06:43:14Z")
In old SMDB tradition, six of the best: 1. Life on Mars? 2. Ashes to ashes 3. Space oddity 4. Under pressure (with Queen) 5. Rock and roll suicide 6. Loving the alien It’s possible that Lazarus will be up there once I’ve listened to Blackstar more often. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/10 "2016-01-12T06:54:50Z")
No votes for _The Laughing Gnome_ ? Personally: Ziggy Stardust (The Bauhaus cover being the first Bowie song I ever recall hearing) Life On Mars Heroes Absolute Beginners Scary Monsters This Is Not America and, of course Magic Dance “You remind me of the Babe” ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/11 "2016-01-12T07:01:15Z")
[TVC15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTjsOzeIpc0) is an often-overlooked gem of rock/soul/funk/motorik grind from an often-overlooked album, _Station to Station_. Still the best song ever written about your girlfriend climbing into the television and disappearing, and the handclaps are just the icing on the cake. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/12 "2016-01-12T07:11:12Z")
“Ziggy Stardust” – [as covered by Bauhaus.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23pa6b2JtS4) This was \>\>THE\<\< music video that got me into gothic rock. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/13 "2016-01-12T08:59:03Z")
Short list (excluding covers) 1 - Ashes to Ashes 2 - Life on Mars 3 - Space Oddity 4 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide 5 - The Bewlay Brothers 6 - Some Are 7 - Changes 8 - The Man Who Sold the World 9 - Fashion 10 - China Girl Long list (with covers) 1 - Ashes to Ashes 2 - Life on Mars 3 - Space Oddity 4 - Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide 5 - The Bewlay Brothers 6 - Some Are 7 - Changes 8 - The Man Who Sold the World 9 - Fashion 10 - Wild Is the Wind (Tiomkin & Washington cover) 11 - China Girl 12 - Amsterdam (Brel cover) 13 - Criminal World (Metro cover) 14 - Young Americans 15 - Heroes 16 - Be My Wife 17 - Ziggy Stardust 18 - Rebel Rebel 19 - Always Crashing in the Same Car 20 - Starman 21 - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) 22 - The Secret Life of Arabia 23 - The Hearts Filthy Lesson 24 - I’m Deranged 25 - Sons of the Silent Age 26 - Drive-In Saturday 27 - Outside 28 - Time Will Crawl 29 - Sound and Vision 30 - TVC 15 31 - Never Let me Down 32 - Jump They Say 33 - Battle for Britain (The Letter) 34 - Thursday’s Child 35 - Look Back in Anger ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/14 "2016-01-12T10:57:03Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > [TVC15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTjsOzeIpc0) is an often-overlooked gem of rock/soul/funk/motorik grind from an often-overlooked album, _Station to Station_. Still the best song ever written about your girlfriend climbing into the television and disappearing, and the handclaps are just the icing on the cake. I came in to mention this - good choice. So hooky - Oh my TVC15 - oh oh! All of Ziggy Stardust. Special mention to Better Hang on to Yourself: “But then we move like tigers on vaseline.” Love that line, and the punky riff sounds great. Per above, Heroes is one of the best songs ever. So many more. Listening to the beginning of Fashion, when the funk hits and then Fripp’s jagged lead. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/15 "2016-01-12T11:31:45Z")
All the ones mentioned that I’m familiar with, I like. I’ll just add one more: “Up the Hill Backwards.” Oh, last night I happened to see the 2014 Noah Baumbach film _While We’re Young_, and the closing credits are to another good one (though not top ten): “Golden Years.” ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/16 "2016-01-12T11:39:31Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > So many more. Listening to the beginning of Fashion, when the funk hits and then Fripp’s jagged lead. Wow. Another one I love that features Fripp wigging out is [Scary Monsters](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHywdqH3F6Y). ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/17 "2016-01-12T11:41:43Z")
I’m surprised no one has mentioned my favorite yet: **Young Americans**. Have you have been an un-American? Just you and your idol singing falsetto 'bout Leather, leather everywhere, and Not a myth left from the ghetto Well, well, well, would you carry a razor In case, just in case of depression? Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors Blushing at all the afro-Sheeners A complex, well-crafted song that I never get tired of hearing. And I love the way he slyly slipped a Beatles shout out in there. mmm ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/18 "2016-01-12T12:08:06Z")
The Beatles quote was also due to John Lennon helping him on backing vocals on that album. I believe the backing vocals were arranged by Luther Vandross. Yes, YA and Golden Years, the height of his Plastic Soul phase, are wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/19 "2016-01-12T12:25:57Z")
I’ve always really liked China Girl. I’ve probably only heard a handful of his songs though. I just listened to Heroes and have no memory of ever having heard it before. I think I was in my country music phase back then. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904/20 "2016-01-12T12:38:44Z")
Loads to choose from. Queen Bitch Space Oddity Life on Mars Sound and Vision (got to love the Eno collaborations) Heroes (duh!) Fashion For those who can access it (by whatever means) there was a repeat of a nice Bowie retrospective on the BBC last night. Called [David Bowie - Five Years](http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0214tj1/david-bowie-five-years), it looks at five of his key years in more detail and lots of interviews with collaborators and some cracking behind the scenes footage. And great music of course. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favourite-bowie-songs/742904.md?page=2)