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David Bowie

130 replies

paellaandpies · 03/08/2020 00:28

I’ve never really listened to him much, because my parents weren’t fans, and so he just wasn’t on my radar when growing up. But I was lucky enough to see him live at a festival once, and he was absolutely electric onstage, and I can see how loved he is. However, I have never got into any of his stuff, and I feel perhaps I am missing out... am I?

So, any Bowie fans, what would you recommend for someone just starting to listen to him? Anything in particular? Chronological or start with the famous hits?

Thank you!

OP posts:
magicmallow · 03/08/2020 00:31

Hunky Dory - the album - is amazing!

ScouseQueen · 03/08/2020 00:32

There's very little of his I don't like. No harm in starting with the hits. There is one compilation I had as a teenager called ChangesBowie that was great. The 69-74 and 74-79 hits compilations likewise. Albums: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust is superb as is Hunky Dory.

Josette77 · 03/08/2020 00:54

It's all good. He was amazing. My favourite songs were Under Pressure with Queen, Starman, Rebel Rebel, Let's Dance. Also Lazarus. The video is breathtaking.

lljkk · 03/08/2020 01:27

I feel flat about Bowie, so curious how OP will get on.
I like his voice just not... his style, mostly.
Good sampler here.

DarkHelmet · 03/08/2020 01:46

Pin Ups is a great album, as is Aladdin Sane and Diamond Dogs. If you want iconic then watch the live Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I'm a huge fan of his seventies and early eighties stuff but post 1985 not so much.

biddybird · 03/08/2020 01:53

Start with Ziggy Stardust (studio album). If you don't like that, you won't like Bowie!

Dita73 · 03/08/2020 02:06

Personally I love everything he did. It’s pathetic but when he died I was so devastated. I cried at least once a day for over a year!

TheSandman · 03/08/2020 02:14

Hunky Dory

Ritascornershop · 03/08/2020 02:22

For me Young Americans is my favourite.

justilou1 · 03/08/2020 02:35

Sexy AF

Turtletotem · 03/08/2020 02:58

I'm similar to you in that my parent's didn't have much Bowie so missed his music. A few years ago I went to a theatre gig of a tribute act it was fantastic told the story and took you through all the hits etc. I know that's not possible at the moment but something to look out for in the future.

HoppingPavlova · 03/08/2020 03:48

It’s all so individual I guess. Personally I would start with the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Diamond Dogs and the Spiders from Mars. Others may think differently though. No one is wrong.

I think his music is absolutely fabulous.

remainin · 03/08/2020 03:51

I love Scary Monsters in particular.

CaptainCabinets · 03/08/2020 04:26

All of the above, and watch Labyrinth!

Sorryusernamealreadyexists · 03/08/2020 04:34

I’m not saying Bowie was holding the fabric of the universe together but...

gestures broadly at everything

Singlebutmarried · 03/08/2020 04:34

Came here to say Labyrinth.

But all of his stuff (with the exception of Tin machine) is ace.

If you’ve Apple Music just download the Bowie essentials and go from there.

Newjez · 03/08/2020 05:01

Ziggy.

He had a major style change in the 80s which was ok, but I preferred his earlier stuff.

Life on Mars, heroes. But anything really.

fatgirlslimmer · 03/08/2020 05:35

Bowie’s music is a journey so it’s possible to like one genre and not another. I grew up listening to Bowie, I am a huge fan who likes the old stuff better but also loved the Lets Dance era, although it was much more commercial, his serious moonlight tour was fantastic.

How about starting with listening to the music he played at the festival if that’s what you enjoyed? Compilations are ok but for me I enjoy listening to the era and the albums within it. Possibly because they also hold many memories.

I feel the same way about the Beatles, I’ve listened to them and although I like some of their songs nothing has really clicked but I don’t think I’m missing out.

AuntieMarys · 03/08/2020 06:03

I've loved Bowie since 1972...not as keen.on his 80s stuff. I love his later music...Heathen, Reality.
Young Americans album is one of his best in my opinion.
Saw him 6 times....Reality tour my favourite. Worth watching the dvd

BikeRunSki · 03/08/2020 06:10

: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust Is my desert island No.1 album. I also prefer him pre 1995.

Bongorave · 03/08/2020 06:21

I went a bit cold when I read he had sex with underage girls

speakout · 03/08/2020 06:22

I grew up in the Bowie era, he just didn't do it for me, I always felt he was a little creepy, and comes as no surprise the he has allegations of sexual encounters with under age girls and boys- which was all too common during that glam rock era.
I saw him in concert in 1983 with his serious moonlight tour- was given free tickets, he knew how to stage a show, but I never really cared for the man or his music.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/08/2020 06:36

@magicmallow

Hunky Dory - the album - is amazing!
It is one of the most important albums of all time.

His personal life is another issue, when he was young. But the music is transcendent.

D4rwin · 03/08/2020 06:48

For me Labyrinth as without parents into his stuff it was that movie when I was young that got me into his stuff. Whilst I was watching his 80's stuff on Totp etc it's always been the earlier stuff I put on again and again. But then i do love so much of the later stuff really.

Brefugee · 03/08/2020 06:54

Hunky Dory is probably the most poppy and easily accessible place to start. Then maybe the compliations? changes one and changes two.
Ziggy Stardust has - as my DCs say - some absolutely bangin' tunes.
Pin Ups is a load of covers, which is also a good listen. Scary Monsters is also pretty easy to get into.

The Berlin trilogy can be a bit challenging, although some of his most iconic songs are on there.

Or, just start with them in the order he recorded/broght them out?