Five Of The Best: David Bowie

Image: David Bowie 

It was only on Friday upon the release of his 25th album Blackstar that we described David Bowie as an artist who never stood still. It was to be his parting gift to the world. On reflection it was a wholly poignant and heartbreaking album that evidenced creativity, fearlessness and vision until the very end of his life. 

From his first number one, 'Space Oddity', to various guises: Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and The Thin White Duke - Bowie was always one step ahead and gave so much to music across his career spanning almost half a century.

In tribute, we've selected five of his greatest tracks from different chapters of his career to paint Bowie's genius and unprecedented influence; something that will extend far beyond his passing.

'Space Oddity' (1969) 

Released when he was just 22 years old, 'Space Oddity' marked Bowie's inception with the story of Major Tom - a fictional astronaut that Bowie would later revisit in songs like 'Ashes To Ashes'.

Lyrically, the concept was ground-breaking - the BBC fittingly employed it for their moon landing footage. The way its soaring instrumental gathers multiple exteriors is equally phenomenal, with Bowie's vocal is hauntingly exquisite. What's telling is that close to 50 years later, the song has by no means wavered from the perspective of experimentation or exploration in comparison to modern music.

'Queen Bitch' (1971)

Hunky Dory as a whole was the blueprint for Bowie's future career, but it was his tribute to The Velvet Underground 'Queen Bitch' in particular which gave clear indications of where he was going next stylistically. It provided the unmistakable glam rock template which featured throughout The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars.

'Moonage Daydream' (1972) 

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars told the story of an alien who fell to earth and embodied a rock star, and was Bowie's breakout LP. Ziggy Stardust became his biggest alter ego, and at times he even struggled himself to separate himself from the character he had created. 

'Moonage Daydream' was a crucial track on the album, it illustrated how Ziggy was transformed into a rock star through religion, sexual liberation, romance and rebellion. This song captures the enthralling and sexually ambivalent persona Bowie adopted as his career reached stratospheric new heights. 

'Let's Dance' (1983) 

Appearing on his best-selling album of the same name, Bowie opted for Chic's Nile Rodgers to produce the album instead of long-time collaborator Tony Visconti.

It helped launch the career of Stevie Ray Vaughan who played guitar on the song. One of Bowie's most instantly recognisable and unmistakably funky hits, it propelled him to commercial success after the period which harboured his 'Berlin Trilogy' in the late seventies. 

'Lazarus' (2016) 

A signal to the world that the greatest music visionary was dying. With hindsight it's so blunt, emotionally powerful, bold and solidifies his legend. It was to be David Bowie's final bow and the songs significance is glaringly symbolic. RIP David Bowie.  

Read: David Bowie 'Blackstar' review.