David Bowie Died Last Night

David Bowie is one of those larger than life figures. He's beyond legendary, he's iconic. I remember the first time I heard Ziggy Stardust on the radio when I was 13, the song was 26 years old and I immediately asked my Dad about it. He bought me the album for Christmas and I proceeded to collect all of them. The only one I'm missing on CD is 1987's "Never Let Me Down" which I have on vinyl, if you have the CD msg me, I want it. Most music fans identify themselves as Bowie fans but whenever you come across another hard core fans there is an instant connection, like "ya, you get it."

I love all the Bowie era's. I a lot of people neglect his later works, which take a little more acclimation than his more popular 70's stuff, but if you dive into them there is a ton of interesting sounds and direction. Bowie is such a genius at taking a song in one direction and then just missing that obvious note that you would expect, or bailing on a rhyming scheme just to keep you on your toes. It's like pop music sometimes and then out of nowhere its completely anti-pop in every way. He always keeps you guessing. Like what might happen in a jazz song, but fused into a pop, rock, and blues hybrid. It's hard to describe and wrap your mind around sometimes but undeniably brilliant.

I could go on all day but I'd like to do one of my favourite thing  and compose a list of his 41 best songs, in my opinion. Pretty subjective list and can change from day to day, but here are 41 gems that really stand out for me. Why 41? Because 40 is too obvious, this is more Bowie-like. I'll do it countdown style:

41. The Man Who Sold the World - Joffrey Lupul tweeted that Nirvana's cover was better than the original, but it's actually not even close. Pure Bowie.

40. Something in the Air - Did you know this song is used for the end credits in 'American Psycho' and Christopher Nolan's classic 'Memento'? It's true. The off key singing is not for everyone but definitely by design, very cool take.

39. Heroes - I've found that this is a lot of people's favourite, actually. This is a really great song. Just a straight rock tune and full of emotion.

38. Big Brother - The whole Diamond Dogs album is a concept album about Orwell's 1984, Big Brother is the 2nd last track and ties together all the themes. It's almost an acceptance of defeat, like "It's there world and we're just living in it" kind of attitude. Really cool song.

37. Moonage Daydream - I love the guitar solo outro. A real classic from the Seminal "Ziggy Stardust" album.

36. The Jean Genie - This song is your good old fashioned blues lick, turned rock n roll, gone right!

35. Queen Bitch - Heavily distorted guitar playing the signature lick over top of an acoustic rhythm guitar? Yes please!

34. Where Are We Now? - Real touching song from 'The Next Day'.
\
33. We Prick You - Eerie, but still kind of a pick me up deep into the Outside album.

32. Seven Years in Tibet - The metal riff over the otherwise R&B style music is too filthy. Bowie really emodes on the chorus here. Great stuff.

31. DJ - underrated tune from 1979's Lodger. It's catchy and disco-like, but still a rock tune. Really great song.

30. Cracked Actor - Dirty guitar licks and a shrieking Bowie.

29. The Heart's Filthy Lesson - Hard to believe this song wasn't produced or affiliated with Trent Reznor in any way. The music video is great. Very dark, twisted, and very great. The piano solo is like a call back to the Aladdin Sane piano, it's so chaotic and fitting to the theme of the song.

28. Modern Love - Maybe the Let's Dance album signaled a transition into a more poppy sound and veered Bowie away from experimental sounds a bit. Maybe. It's definitely less obscure but by Bowie standards that makes it kind of experimental unto itself and the hits are undeniably catchy. I love this song.

27. Diamond Dogs - This song is so cool, it's full of references to Orwell's '1984' (as is the whole album in one way or another). This particular song almost has a country vibe, spliced with signature Bowie glam rock.

26. Lady Grinning Soul - This was not so much a hit from the Aladdin Sane album, but one the hard core fans often talk about. Definitely a great song.

25. God Bless the Girl - Not off any studio album but an outtake from 'The Next Day'. The backing vocals add a ton of soul and depth to this one. The acoustic guitar is reminiscent of the classic 1974 Bowie tune "Panic in Detroit."

24. Blue Jean - In the mid 80's he released his work at a much slower pace, toured a lot, got into other projects, movies, etc. But he did pump out this awesome song on 1984's Tonight album.

23. All the Young Dudes - Such a catchy, chorus. Mix of sadness and hope evoked by DB.

22. Starman - Ziggy classic. That's all.

21. The Stars Are Out Tonight - What a cool song from 'The Next Day'. Once you get used to the lower pitched version of Bowie it's easy to get lost in this song.

20. China Girl - "I stumble into town, just like a sacred cow. Visions of swastikas in my head, plans for everyone. It's in the white of my eyes..." Wait, I thought this song was about girl ;)

19. Station to Station - This influential song and album are referenced in so many other works from other artists. I always make note of it but can only think of Red Hot Chili Pepper's Californication right now. "...Singing songs from Station to Station." This title track is over 10 minutes long, but it's a real work of art. Love when Bowie gets to the "It's Too Late!" section. So much desperation, but still hope.

18. Slow Burn - From 2002's Heathen. The guitar (played by Pete Townsend of the Who) on this track is so bluesy and gritty. Amazing song and one of the great one's from the later era Bowie.

17. Rock n Roll Suicide - Perfect end to the perfect album. Another Ziggy classic.

16. Aladdin Sane - The piano solo is so all over the place I don't even know what to make of it. But it's one of those things where mid song, I'll rewind and go back and listen again.

15. Rebel Rebel - What an iconic riff! This is a real standout on the Diamond Dogs concept album. Great change of pace.

14. Young Americans - The title track from his experimental soul album is the one song on there that isn't really so much a soul tune. This song is a brilliant crescendo, however, when he builds up to the "break down and cry" line... wow.

13. Fame - Massive, classic. Did you know John Lennon is on this track with Bowie? It's true.

12. Golden Years - The only song from the brilliant 'Station to Station' that still gets radio play. This was definitely the most poppy hit from Bowie's masterpiece, and it's a great one.

11. How Does the Grass Grow? - "Blood blood blood!" Statement piece off 'the Next Day". The 50's style "ya ya ya ya" hook is so catchy and the abrupt verses are perfect. I crank the volume on this one every time.

10. Hallo Spaceboy - The third incarnation of the "Major Tom" figure is a great one. This song is so gritty and heavy, yet somehow a little dancey. If you get a chance, youtube a live version with Dave Grohl on the drums.

9. Oh! You Pretty Things - This is poetry. Like everything on the Hunky Dory album, the lulls are perfect contrast to set up the hooks.

8. Let's Dance! - This song is a masterpiece. It's dancey but still very artistic. It's '80s but still awesome. Stevie Ray Vaughn ripping solos? Love it. Gotta listen to the full length album version, not the radio edit or else it's totally compromised.

7. I'm Afraid of Americans - The 1998 Earthling album was a cool evolution for Bowie who had been experimenting with industrial rock sounds on Outside. This one was done with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, who was at the forefront of that sound - and it really rocks hard!

6. Ashes to Ashes - The reprise of the "Major Tom" character. Really personal song for Bowie and obviously one of the classic songs in music history.

5. Ziggy Stardust - One of the first songs I ever learned to play on guitar. That riff is so good. What a perfect song to bring the Ziggy album down the home stretch.

4. Space Oddity - When I saw him live in Toronto in 2004 on the Reality tour he teased us by starting to play this iconic anthem which he had retired from his repertoire for decades. When he played the first couple of notes the crowd whipped into a frenzy, before he told us he was kidding. Still awesome.

3. Suffragette City - Ever seen him live? Remember the "wham bam, thank you ma'am" part? Oh...My...God.

2. Changes - Such a classic. You know it and you love it.


1. Life On Mars - This is just a masterpiece. Emotional, passionate, fierce, soft, vulnerable. Everything. It's great right up to it's climactic finish.