It's not his 4 octave range, nor his amazing tone, that makes his vocals so special. It's the way that he makes emotion drip from every single syllable! Incredible vocalist and so refreshing compared to all those vocalists who believe it's just about power and technical 'showing off'.
Apparently, he always recorded his vocals in complete takes. There was no editing bits from different takes to make the "best" one overall, so what you hear is really a performance and not a patchwork. Perhaps that's what in part makes this so compelling. This is great on headphones.
Arguably Bowie's greatest ever vocal performance. When asked, he said it was his own favourite. I think it's an extraordinary piece of work. It's sparse and economical, yet also rich, vibrant and romantic. And it gives Bowie an opportunity to show off most of his vocal range (at the time) as well. The arrangement, the lyrics and Bowie's passionate delivery make me imagine a vampire longing for his bride of the night.
When it came to releasing his favorites compilation iSelect, I'm surprised it wasn't on there. It seems Life on Mars? and Lady Grinning Soul ended up eventually overtaking it. David definitely loved his piano songs. I wish there could have been one more slot for this song.
Bowie has said he was so high on cocaine during the recording of this song that he doesn't even remember recording it at all. Some music reviewer said that David Bowie didn't have range... ummm, have you even heard this song??? My favourite Bowie tune, and this whole album is just a masterpiece.
Huge Bowie fan.... my recommendation is Diamond Dogs as your next listen. Yes, Low is ahead of its time musically, but DD is loosely based on the 1984 book and it is so creative in its content. What other artist could take on 1984 and create this dystopian landscape? DD or Aladdin Sane ( a better album than Ziggy)...Mike Garson on piano is worth the price of admission. Add Ronson? Wow. Great channel!
Yeah man when he had the China girl and all of those walk about 18 years old man I remember this man that was on MTV you know I mean mad at once everywhere come on same golden years come on now all right all right
I am so happy that you completed this album. There are a lot of things going on in this song, but to me, this is one of Bowie's top three vocal performances. His voice is so expressive, so pure, so dramatic- he completely transforms this song. I'm looking forward to your review of the complete album. As for the next Bowie album, I think you should step back and experience Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane. Ziggy is a masterpiece that proved Bowie was a prodigy who had finally arrived. Aladdin Sane is 10% more glam and 50% more experimental. Both have hits, some of which you probably heard already. Ziggy is more thematic, while the sound on Aladdin Sane is more varied. Both are terrific albums. If you choose to go forward, then Scary Monsters will be an amazing experience. Either way, you can't go wrong.
I’ve really enjoyed your Bowie reactions, Bowie is my favorite performer. I was lucky to see him eight times in concert, and actually said hello to him once. You could go either forward or backward from Station to Station, it was the perfect mid-decade album from Bowie, you could still hear what came before, but it heavily foreshadowed what was to come. While the Berlin era is his best work, I would recommend going back to Ziggy or Aladdin Sane, just to hear his genius taking flight. Ziggy is the obvious choice, but I prefer the avant-garde leanings of Aladdin Sane. The title track is my favorite song of all time, I even have “Aladdin Sane” tattooed on my arm!
just fantastic....for my money one of bowie's best vocal performances ever (for other great ones, 'Lady Grinning Soul' and 'Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet thing' (from Diamond dogs)). as far as checking out his other albums....Bowie was such a different kind of artist, constantly evolving. I would go back and start with the album Space Oddity ....and work up chronologically....from there you will get into one of the best strings of albums by any artist, any time. period. BUT....i still think you should go find the extended version of Station...and listen to the live version of Word on a Wing....far superior to the studio track
Go back and then forward - it’s the only logical choice - you can then appreciate fully the stylistic development of each phase and the periodic schismatic stylistic changes as his career progressed. Maybe skip the laughing gnome however.
Great reaction to a wonderful song! It is probably my favourite Bowie track (along with Lady Grinning Soul). I envy you hearing it for the first time! Its been over 40 years since I did that. My favourite bit is the way he emulates the wailing sound of the wind with his voice in the last few bars.
Such feeling in his voice! Sadness and longing. The coolest dude of the century for sure. Next, Ziggy. That's a no brainer..."Suffergate City", "5 Years" an of course "Rock And Roll Suicide". Do it. Do it. Do it. ps. as always love your thoughtful analysis Justin. peace - out...from Australia.
An INCREDIBLE vocal performance from Bowie! The emotion just drips from every syllable! Amazing! One of my favourite vocal performances of all-time, by any artist! :)
All of his covers are pretty good. He did a full album called PinUps which is worth a listen if you want to hear more covers. His real influences on others as a songwriter and performer came with the three “glam” albums (Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane). It may be worth just stepping back to any (or all!) of those for your next toe into the Bowie lake...
Funny thing as you were singing Seal I recalled he actually did a very good rendition of one of Bowie’s finer songs Quicksand.. This was a beautiful cover by Bowie.. It’s almost 💔
People keep (justifiably) going on about Bowie's incredible vocals in this song and record, but god damn, that rhythm section he built earlier in the '70s was on fire, and nowhere more so than on Station to Station.
I remember hearing my Dad play the Johnny Mathis version and I told him Mathis was covering David Bowie. Oh well, not true as i later discovered. But the Bowie version is much better.
This cover is one of my three favorite songs on Station to Station (along with the title track and "Stay"). Justin, for Bowie's next album I advise you to go back to the Diamond Dogs album from 1974 then after that one you can go directly to the Berlin trilogy (Low, "Heroes", Lodger). Diamond Dogs is essential to understanding Bowie's journey from Glam Rock to Soul music to his more experimental electronic ambient works ! Please do it, I promise you won't be disappointed! .-)
Bowie recorded a full album of cover songs, Pinups, in 1973, I think. He tended to throw cover songs on most of his albums. I really like his Jacque Brel covers: My Death snd Port of Amsterdam. they are not on any official albums but you can find the live versions easily enough.
On Point reaction! Some of his best vocals. My choice for next album is Aladdin Sane, Spiders From Mars is too obvious. Aladdin Sane is a quirky rocker, the title track is hypnotic and The Jean Genie is a classic!
Time is easily the least conventional single David released and I'm all for it. Drive-In Saturday? Banger. Cracked Actor? Incredible. Lady Grinning Soul? Pure art? Aladdin Sane? Organized chaos. Panic in Detroit? A staple. It's a very good choice.
The original song recorded by Johnny Mathis was the theme song to the film of the same title starring italian actress Anna Magnani with Anthony Quinn and Anthony Franciosa.
Great reaction! I expect nothing less from you, you killed it. Thank you. I would start from the beginning w/ Bowie,but hey, you may not have that kind of time. Diamond Dogs is incredible, Aladdin Sane, Low,Heroes,Lodger,Blackstar,Outside,Ziggy,The man Who Sold, Low and Heroes. Do dive in,he's life changing.
OMG. I've always LOVED Bowie's version of this song!! Justin and community, if you haven’t already, please listen to Nina Simone's version. Soooo soulful it'll blow your mind. Just immerse yourselves in her passion. Warning: It will take you down a rabbit hole you won't want to emerge from. ❤❤ ruclips.net/video/CiVDzTT4CbE/видео.html
I went down the reaction video rabbit hole a few weeks ago but got tired of the same old same old pretty quickly. I only found you because I was specifically looking for something less mainstream so obviously, a Bowie reaction. I found more than one, but you my friend, really did it justice. Consider me subscribed!
David was good friends with the singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone. He based his cover of this song on her performance of it, so I'd suggest you hear that version (and to Nina's music in general). The original version of this song is some pop gloop made for a 1958 romance movie and sung by Johnny Mathis. My grandma had that single and she played it a lot when I was a kid in the 70s. I didn't hear David's version until I was in college, then I heard Nina's. David was undergoing a lot of spiritual crisis underneath that cocaine haze. I think of this song, along with Word on a Wing, as his cries out to whoever may have been out there to save him. This whole album is the chronicle of a young man who was too afraid to really feel anything, or to make that scary effort to see who he really was, or to be close to anyone who could see him, and how he knew that this fear was fucking up his life.
The "thirst in the desert" theme you describe is exactly the plot of the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth," also released in 1976 (the album's cover shot is a still from the film), so ... interesting comment! :-)
You're right about the desert feeling. Dimitri Tiomkin wrote many famous musics for Hollywood westerns back in the fifties, sixties like Rio Bravo and High Noon.
Bowie was a great friend of Nina Simones. As for this being the only cover, I'm not sure what you mean. He's previously done covers (Lets Spend The Night Together on Aladdin Sane for one.) He'd also recorded an entire album of covers called Pin Ups.
If you include this album and the so called "Berlin Trilogy" that followed, it's the only cover during that period. Unless of course you include "Red Money" from "Lodger" which is a rehash of Iggy Pop's "Sister Midnight" which Bowie co-wrote anyway.
Well, it's the only cover JP has reacted to so far and it's the only cover on Station to Station and it's the last cover Bowie released in that half of the 70s.
My Dad was a huge jazz fan especially Nina Simone. When he heard Bowie's version he recognized it right away. I remember it being a weird old man and teen bonding moment. I miss him... and Bowie too.
His voice is so intense on this song. This is a great song. David has said he's not a great singer. Many covers have been done on this song. His cover is the absolute best. I saw him sing this live.. It was unbelievable.
A tour de force vocal performance. Awesome song. Anyways been lurking on your channel from the beginning. Great stuff here. Congratulations on your success. It’s refreshing to have a reaction channel that is genuine and displays some understanding of the music.
And it's really the most rewarding way, tbh, although I hadn't fully connected with an album until Young Americans on the first go. After the 2nd and 3rd sweep, I loved about 20 of the albums. Now, I love them all except Black Tie White Noise and Hours.
As for what to do next...I’ve already said that you need to go way back. You can’t miss out tracks like The London Boys, Width of a Circle or The Bewlay Brothers to name but three 🤔👍
Hunky Dory, Diamond Dogs, Low, Scary Monsters, Outside, Heathen, Blackstar. And of course all the albums in between afterwards but any of those albums firstly always blow me away every time I listen to them.
The reason there’s no consensus “next Bowie album” here is because this is the pinnacle. You could go spacey Ziggy Stardust 70’s Bowie or fun Let’s Dance 80’s Bowie with Stevie Ray Vaughn (my vote, assuming I have one) and not go wrong, just depends on what you feel like reviewing.
This song is a great example of what a great, underrated drummer Dennis Davis was. He was a master of subtle complexity. He and the bassist, George Murray, are one of the greatest rhythm sections of all time, and they masterfully navigated their way through all the diverse twists and turns of David Bowie’s late-70’s stuff. They really don’t get the credit they deserve.
Loved your review on this album. He is my guy, this is one of my favourite albums and you are now one of my favourite youtubers! Great reviews dude consistently!
You should react to the next album Low from 1977. Masterpiece with the closing instrumental Subterraneans which is the greatest piece of music ever written by Bowie.
Justin you are just too good, Bowie is Just incredible, I mean incredible. First heard him in 1969 age 7. He was brilliant then, and brilliant even before then.
I agree with the Diamond Dogs suggestion next, but it really is a style choice about where to go next. Others have nailed it with their requests, I think much of his glam rock stuff looses something without historical / cultural context. Don't get me wrong, I am also a lifelong fan (since 1974), and I love all his work including the Ziggy period, but new listeners don't feel the same impact today. At least JP is thoughtfully & intelligently breaking down the entire album instead of picking songs at random, a much better method with Bowie (IMO). Will be waiting for the next Bowie-thon!
this is one of the best Bowie songs his vocal really shines on this one,, a beautiful song I'm voted for scary monsters or heros album next (because Fripp)
What I like is this is a little different from his regular music,this is more haunting,has a Ballad feel to it,but most importantly is this is a new discovery of what his voice is capable of, a testing of his vocal range and what he is capable of.
I'd love you to hit Bowie's Young Americans album. It's his soul/R&B phase, he has David Sanborn on sax and Luther Vandross singing and arranging the background vocals. I saw where Luther credited Bowie with giving him his first big break, and a lot of the album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, home of the Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP)!
Nice album, sorry I missed it when it came out. Bowie has some Top 40 songs that I would pass on. The theme from Cat People is a good stand alone song, Putting out fire with Gasoline
Since I wasn’t a big Bowie guy growing up I can’t tell you which direction to go but I usually like to start at the beginning so I could see how an artist or band grows as they grow in popularity. Great analysis of a really beautiful song sung beautifully by Bowie. The drums were killer.
I'd definitely start somewhere in the glam era, although for me, Space Oddity and Hunky Dory and Never Let Me Down and The Next Day have grown on me more than any other albums.
@@chrismeadows4216 That's an interesting selection of 'growers', and I agree with you. Never Let Me Down always gets kicked in the teeth but it has some great tracks. Space Oddity is my 3rd favorite Bowie album, and it took me a little while to get into The Next Day, but it's now another great album too.
@@davidcopson5800, I feel that their bonus tracks bring breathtaking new experiences which most people haven't had. If someone wants to embrace these albums to the fullest, hearing songs like the original version of Conversation Piece, Bombers, Girls, and I'll Take You There should entrance them. Bowie hadn't started out dull or gotten dull. He'd simply sometimes set his best work aside to have other opportunities.
@@davidcopson5800, I'd had Young Americans, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), Let's Dance, Tonight, and the Labyrinth soundtrack hold me the fastest of Bowie's albums. His baritone tones are favorites of mine. The second David Bowie self-titled album, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Station to Station, Heroes, and Never Let Me Down had felt right next. The only Bowie album which I have trouble with listening to is 'hours...'. There isn't much energy to hear on it, though his Omikron songs which are on it are excellent.
an interesting album to go to for Bowie is his last album Blackstar .... his farewell to everyone , before his passing .... some people think it is his greatest work to date ... IMHO , it is not, ... it is a good album, but not my favorite Bowie album
Go back. Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, Let's Dance. I skipped some great albums but these will keep you entertained as only Bowie can.
I don't know about the desert analogy but hey we all interpret lyrics differently. I played this song for my wedding. It's my favorite Bowie love song. The lyrics are amazing and David delivers them with with unleashed passion and tenderness. I think it's the most impressive vocal performance of his career. ( and I know his complete catalog very well) Whenever someone says Bowie doesn't have a great voice I have them listen to this track.
Your info is wrong. Bowie had covered a good number of songs in studio before this album. He had even recorded two Springsteen songs, along with stuff like "It Ain't Easy", a Ron Davies song, on Ziggy Stardust; Marc Bolan's "Prettiest Star"; Chuck Berry's "Round and Round", but most had not been released.
I love Bowie and most that he has done . (I cried for 2 weeks when he died) but this album is my favourite has been for years, followed by Low, Ziggy, Hunky, Blackstar and Scary monsters 🤘⭐️⚡️
Who knew he had this voice when he was doing Ziggy Stardust? He just channeled Ted Nealy's Jesus Christ here. "I don't want to taste your cup of poison, feel it burn me". Shivers. He totally could have done that part. And I really, really loved Ted Nealy.
Next stop... 'Heroes' This was first recorded by Johnny Mathis, used in a film... however, it's jazz interpreter, Nina Simone's version is Bowie's odd & gorgeous interpretation & inspiration... hands down, best standard vocal of his career... footnote: Frank Sinatra heard this track soonafter it was recorded & asked Bowie to lunch, as daughter Tina was considering Bowie to portray her dad in a biopic miniseries in that time
Just seeing this now. Yes, the lyrics are amazing, but it seems as if you're giving David the credit for them. But I will admit, he delivers them flawlessly and with the utmost emotion.
A brilliant track that sounds haunted. I wish Station to Station had more background atmospherics to it similar to some of the stuff on The Idiot or Low, but I appreciate the ghoulish vocals throughout the album, throws everything off kilter, again, in a haunted way.
![Pink Floyd Gives Me High Hopes [FIRST TIME REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1c3L5ty8Hz0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Pink Floyd Gives Me High Hopes [FIRST TIME REACTION]](/img/tr.png)
It's not his 4 octave range, nor his amazing tone, that makes his vocals so special. It's the way that he makes emotion drip from every single syllable! Incredible vocalist and so refreshing compared to all those vocalists who believe it's just about power and technical 'showing off'.
Couldn't agree more.
Apparently, he always recorded his vocals in complete takes. There was no editing bits from different takes to make the "best" one overall, so what you hear is really a performance and not a patchwork. Perhaps that's what in part makes this so compelling. This is great on headphones.
4.75 to 5 octave range actually. G1 to Eb6 and he's hit some D6's live as well! Incredible!
Very well noted. To me this intepration is like wine, you discover always new flavours. Best regards from Brazil.
Arguably Bowie's greatest ever vocal performance. When asked, he said it was his own favourite.
I think it's an extraordinary piece of work. It's sparse and economical, yet also rich, vibrant and romantic. And it gives Bowie an
opportunity to show off most of his vocal range (at the time) as well.
The arrangement, the lyrics and Bowie's passionate delivery make me imagine a vampire longing for his bride of the night.
When it came to releasing his favorites compilation iSelect, I'm surprised it wasn't on there. It seems Life on Mars? and Lady Grinning Soul ended up eventually overtaking it. David definitely loved his piano songs. I wish there could have been one more slot for this song.
Bowie has said he was so high on cocaine during the recording of this song that he doesn't even remember recording it at all. Some music reviewer said that David Bowie didn't have range... ummm, have you even heard this song??? My favourite Bowie tune, and this whole album is just a masterpiece.
Gordiesummer - obviously that person does not know Bowie, right? No range...give me a break! ✌
Want to hear a sample of David's vocal range? Listen to SWEET THING/CANDIDATE/ SWEET THING REPRICE
Did you just make him a deal?
Huge Bowie fan.... my recommendation is Diamond Dogs as your next listen. Yes, Low is ahead of its time musically, but DD is loosely based on the 1984 book and it is so creative in its content. What other artist could take on 1984 and create this dystopian landscape? DD or Aladdin Sane ( a better album than Ziggy)...Mike Garson on piano is worth the price of admission. Add Ronson? Wow. Great channel!
I could live with Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs - definitely.
@@kevind4850 Yes, I would say Diamond Dogs first then Low which will lead to "Heroes", Lodger & Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).
Golden Years golden years David Bowie
Yeah man when he had the China girl and all of those walk about 18 years old man I remember this man that was on MTV you know I mean mad at once everywhere come on same golden years come on now all right all right
Go early HUNKY DORY, HUNKY DORY, HUNKY DORY. whatever you choose it’ll be good mind you.
Perfection. Probably Bowie's best vocal performance. Look at Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust or Scary Monsters.
For me the most spectacular Bowie vocals are on Sweet Thing/Candidate from Diamond Dogs and Teenage Wildlife from Scary Monsters.
@@253timeandtimeagain2 I agree those two would be at the top of the list.
He sings quite well on God Only Knows too. Nice Beach Boys tribute.
This song shows how good a signer he was.
Definitely
I am so happy that you completed this album. There are a lot of things going on in this song, but to me, this is one of Bowie's top three vocal performances. His voice is so expressive, so pure, so dramatic- he completely transforms this song. I'm looking forward to your review of the complete album. As for the next Bowie album, I think you should step back and experience Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane. Ziggy is a masterpiece that proved Bowie was a prodigy who had finally arrived. Aladdin Sane is 10% more glam and 50% more experimental. Both have hits, some of which you probably heard already. Ziggy is more thematic, while the sound on Aladdin Sane is more varied. Both are terrific albums. If you choose to go forward, then Scary Monsters will be an amazing experience. Either way, you can't go wrong.
It's gotta be Ziggy or Aladdin next. His most artistic period, and his two best albums.
Totally agree
I like “1. Outside” album. It is a weird album. It took me some time to get used to it, but now it is one of my favorites albums of Bowie.
Underrated as hell! Bowie and Eno together...pure gold.
Bowie always makin moves, so many interesting songs on Outside. Deep Bowie gone deeper
I’ve really enjoyed your Bowie reactions, Bowie is my favorite performer. I was lucky to see him eight times in concert, and actually said hello to him once. You could go either forward or backward from Station to Station, it was the perfect mid-decade album from Bowie, you could still hear what came before, but it heavily foreshadowed what was to come. While the Berlin era is his best work, I would recommend going back to Ziggy or Aladdin Sane, just to hear his genius taking flight. Ziggy is the obvious choice, but I prefer the avant-garde leanings of Aladdin Sane. The title track is my favorite song of all time, I even have “Aladdin Sane” tattooed on my arm!
just fantastic....for my money one of bowie's best vocal performances ever (for other great ones, 'Lady Grinning Soul' and 'Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet thing' (from Diamond dogs)). as far as checking out his other albums....Bowie was such a different kind of artist, constantly evolving. I would go back and start with the album Space Oddity ....and work up chronologically....from there you will get into one of the best strings of albums by any artist, any time. period. BUT....i still think you should go find the extended version of Station...and listen to the live version of Word on a Wing....far superior to the studio track
Diamond dogs often gets over looked as a whole album experience. I'd love to see it done on here.
Go back and then forward - it’s the only logical choice - you can then appreciate fully the stylistic development of each phase and the periodic schismatic stylistic changes as his career progressed.
Maybe skip the laughing gnome however.
You mean Bowie's best song?
Ha ha ha
Hee hee hee
I would go with Hunky Dory for your next Bowie album review. It’s a great one!
Ty Andrew!
Great reaction to a wonderful song! It is probably my favourite Bowie track (along with Lady Grinning Soul). I envy you hearing it for the first time! Its been over 40 years since I did that. My favourite bit is the way he emulates the wailing sound of the wind with his voice in the last few bars.
Spiders From Mars Low
I like the timeline!
Stunningly beautiful cover. The musicianship on this album is breathtaking. My vote for next Bowie album would be 'Aladdin Sane'.
Such feeling in his voice! Sadness and longing. The coolest dude of the century for sure.
Next, Ziggy. That's a no brainer..."Suffergate City", "5 Years" an of course "Rock And Roll Suicide".
Do it. Do it. Do it.
ps. as always love your thoughtful analysis Justin.
peace - out...from Australia.
"5 years" is one of my favs
An INCREDIBLE vocal performance from Bowie! The emotion just drips from every syllable! Amazing! One of my favourite vocal performances of all-time, by any artist! :)
I love this cover getting the full Bowie treatment. It was a tribute to Nina and would love to see you react to Nina's version too.
All of his covers are pretty good. He did a full album called PinUps which is worth a listen if you want to hear more covers.
His real influences on others as a songwriter and performer came with the three “glam” albums (Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane). It may be worth just stepping back to any (or all!) of those for your next toe into the Bowie lake...
Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust next. Start with the early, great albums which propelled him to stardom, and work forward from there.
Excellent song from one of the most powerfully magnificent artists that has endured at the top of his game through so many decades.
I was about to turn in for the night when I saw this notification. Sleep can wait.
Rest well!
Diamond Dogs get my pick.
If only for Sweet Thing alone and We Are the Dead. Love that album so much.
Shovel gets my pick.
Can't argue with your reaction JP, it's great.
Funny thing as you were singing Seal I recalled he actually did a very good rendition of one of Bowie’s finer songs Quicksand.. This was a beautiful cover by Bowie.. It’s almost 💔
Just recently discovered this song beautiful
Dennis Davis for President.
People keep (justifiably) going on about Bowie's incredible vocals in this song and record, but god damn, that rhythm section he built earlier in the '70s was on fire, and nowhere more so than on Station to Station.
I remember hearing my Dad play the Johnny Mathis version and I told him Mathis was covering David Bowie. Oh well, not true as i later discovered. But the Bowie version is much better.
This cover is one of my three favorite songs on Station to Station (along with the title track and "Stay").
Justin, for Bowie's next album I advise you to go back to the Diamond Dogs album from 1974 then after that one you can go directly to the Berlin trilogy (Low, "Heroes", Lodger).
Diamond Dogs is essential to understanding Bowie's journey from Glam Rock to Soul music to his more experimental electronic ambient works !
Please do it, I promise you won't be disappointed! .-)
Bowie recorded a full album of cover songs, Pinups, in 1973, I think. He tended to throw cover songs on most of his albums. I really like his Jacque Brel covers: My Death snd Port of Amsterdam. they are not on any official albums but you can find the live versions easily enough.
On Point reaction! Some of his best vocals. My choice for next album is Aladdin Sane, Spiders From Mars is too obvious. Aladdin Sane is a quirky rocker, the title track is hypnotic and The Jean Genie is a classic!
Time is easily the least conventional single David released and I'm all for it. Drive-In Saturday? Banger. Cracked Actor? Incredible. Lady Grinning Soul? Pure art? Aladdin Sane? Organized chaos. Panic in Detroit? A staple. It's a very good choice.
The original song recorded by Johnny Mathis was the theme song to the film of the same title starring italian actress Anna Magnani with Anthony Quinn and Anthony Franciosa.
Great reaction! I expect nothing less from you, you killed it. Thank you. I would start from the beginning w/ Bowie,but hey, you may not have that kind of time. Diamond Dogs is incredible, Aladdin Sane, Low,Heroes,Lodger,Blackstar,Outside,Ziggy,The man Who Sold, Low and Heroes. Do dive in,he's life changing.
Ty Anna!
OMG. I've always LOVED Bowie's version of this song!!
Justin and community, if you haven’t already, please listen to Nina Simone's version. Soooo soulful it'll blow your mind. Just immerse yourselves in her passion. Warning: It will take you down a rabbit hole you won't want to emerge from. ❤❤
ruclips.net/video/CiVDzTT4CbE/видео.html
Bowie has an angelic voice in this song. Love it 😍
I went down the reaction video rabbit hole a few weeks ago but got tired of the same old same old pretty quickly. I only found you because I was specifically looking for something less mainstream so obviously, a Bowie reaction. I found more than one, but you my friend, really did it justice. Consider me subscribed!
David was good friends with the singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone. He based his cover of this song on her performance of it, so I'd suggest you hear that version (and to Nina's music in general). The original version of this song is some pop gloop made for a 1958 romance movie and sung by Johnny Mathis. My grandma had that single and she played it a lot when I was a kid in the 70s. I didn't hear David's version until I was in college, then I heard Nina's.
David was undergoing a lot of spiritual crisis underneath that cocaine haze. I think of this song, along with Word on a Wing, as his cries out to whoever may have been out there to save him. This whole album is the chronicle of a young man who was too afraid to really feel anything, or to make that scary effort to see who he really was, or to be close to anyone who could see him, and how he knew that this fear was fucking up his life.
The "thirst in the desert" theme you describe is exactly the plot of the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth," also released in 1976 (the album's cover shot is a still from the film), so ... interesting comment! :-)
There is only one other song By David Bowie that shows off his vocal Chops far as I'm concerned that is WIN. CRAZY GOOD!
You're right about the desert feeling. Dimitri Tiomkin wrote many famous musics for Hollywood westerns back in the fifties, sixties like Rio Bravo and High Noon.
My favorite song from station to station. Ziggy and Aladdin sane are awesome albums. Done before his brief sell out and going dance phase.
As much as I love Nina Simone, I'm sorry, Nina, but , I prefer Bowie's cover. Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu touch meeeeeeeeee
Among some of the songs for the movie Cat People
Bowie was a great friend of Nina Simones. As for this being the only cover, I'm not sure what you mean. He's previously done covers (Lets Spend The Night Together on Aladdin Sane for one.) He'd also recorded an entire album of covers called Pin Ups.
If you include this album and the so called "Berlin Trilogy" that followed, it's the only cover during that period. Unless of course you include "Red Money" from "Lodger" which is a rehash of Iggy Pop's "Sister Midnight" which Bowie co-wrote anyway.
Well, it's the only cover JP has reacted to so far and it's the only cover on Station to Station and it's the last cover Bowie released in that half of the 70s.
My Dad was a huge jazz fan especially Nina Simone. When he heard Bowie's version he recognized it right away. I remember it being a weird old man and teen bonding moment. I miss him... and Bowie too.
His voice is so intense on this song. This is a great song. David has said he's not a great singer. Many covers have been done on this song. His cover is the absolute best. I saw him sing this live.. It was unbelievable.
David was always wrong about his singing. He's a GREAT singer: range, tone, richness, modulation, he has it all. This cover proves it.
A tour de force vocal performance. Awesome song. Anyways been lurking on your channel from the beginning. Great stuff here. Congratulations on your success. It’s refreshing to have a reaction channel that is genuine and displays some understanding of the music.
Thanks Tommy!
First time watching you and reacting to my favorite artist, great job. Will watch more
Ty Greg! Hope you enjoy, and appreciate you watching 🙂
My two cents: you cannot go wrong with any seventies era Bowie! It is all great stuff. Go through it all before moving into the eighties and beyond...
Good advice.
If you don't know where to go next with Bowie, simply default to chronological. You'll get to all the albums eventually.
And it's really the most rewarding way, tbh, although I hadn't fully connected with an album until Young Americans on the first go. After the 2nd and 3rd sweep, I loved about 20 of the albums. Now, I love them all except Black Tie White Noise and Hours.
BEAUTIFUL
Great song from arguably Bowie’s best album. Aladdin Sane is a great one too but honestly it doesn’t get better than Station to Station.
As for what to do next...I’ve already said that you need to go way back. You can’t miss out tracks like The London Boys, Width of a Circle or The Bewlay Brothers to name but three 🤔👍
Wow, that is a recommendation plus! He'll be standing tall in the dark if he listens to those.
Hunky Dory, Diamond Dogs, Low, Scary Monsters, Outside, Heathen, Blackstar. And of course all the albums in between afterwards but any of those albums firstly always blow me away every time I listen to them.
Nice!! ... perhaps Scary Monsters?
1. Outside? Heathen? Blackstar?
The reason there’s no consensus “next Bowie album” here is because this is the pinnacle. You could go spacey Ziggy Stardust 70’s Bowie or fun Let’s Dance 80’s Bowie with Stevie Ray Vaughn (my vote, assuming I have one) and not go wrong, just depends on what you feel like reviewing.
This song is a great example of what a great, underrated drummer Dennis Davis was. He was a master of subtle complexity. He and the bassist, George Murray, are one of the greatest rhythm sections of all time, and they masterfully navigated their way through all the diverse twists and turns of David Bowie’s late-70’s stuff. They really don’t get the credit they deserve.
Loved your review on this album. He is my guy, this is one of my favourite albums and you are now one of my favourite youtubers! Great reviews dude consistently!
Thanks John!!
You should react to the next album Low from 1977. Masterpiece with the closing instrumental Subterraneans which is the greatest piece of music ever written by Bowie.
Justin you are just too good, Bowie is Just incredible, I mean incredible. First heard him in 1969 age 7. He was brilliant then, and brilliant even before then.
I agree with the Diamond Dogs suggestion next, but it really is a style choice about where to go next. Others have nailed it with their requests, I think much of his glam rock stuff looses something without historical / cultural context. Don't get me wrong, I am also a lifelong fan (since 1974), and I love all his work including the Ziggy period, but new listeners don't feel the same impact today. At least JP is thoughtfully & intelligently breaking down the entire album instead of picking songs at random, a much better method with Bowie (IMO). Will be waiting for the next Bowie-thon!
Ty Chris!
Definitely in my top 3 David Bowie songs 💙💙
This recorded version is good, but in my opinion Bowie rocked the live versions even more! my favorite one is from the BBC theatre back in 2000.
So many great albums. Take a step back and go with "Hunky Dory".
Not quite up to Nina Simone's level, but then again no one is... it's very good nonetheless. One of my fave Bowie covers
I've learnt to play this one on my 12 string acoustic. so satisfying to play along to.
As sublime a vocal performance as he ever laid down in the studio
That's wild!
Move back and forth! : ). I fear the day you meet Sylvian.....fear for him. And when are you going to start directing music videos? great imaging.
Ty Dell! If I ever met Sylvian, I'd just ask him to sing on some songs for me lol
You need to watch the music video
Superb...!👌🏼. Those vocals... Perfect.
Simply beautiful
this is one of the best Bowie songs
his vocal really shines on this one,, a beautiful song
I'm voted for scary monsters or heros album next (because Fripp)
A great cover of a Nina Simone song. Love David Bowie and missing him tonight 😎👍
What I like is this is a little different from his regular music,this is more haunting,has a Ballad feel to it,but most importantly is this is a new discovery of what his voice is capable of, a testing of his vocal range and what he is capable of.
I'd love you to hit Bowie's Young Americans album. It's his soul/R&B phase, he has David Sanborn on sax and Luther Vandross singing and arranging the background vocals. I saw where Luther credited Bowie with giving him his first big break, and a lot of the album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios, home of the Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP)!
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the single greatest cover version in the history of music, and it's not even close.
I have a sense of doubt over that. Only joking!!!
Nice album, sorry I missed it when it came out. Bowie has some Top 40 songs that I would pass on. The theme from Cat People is a good stand alone song,
Putting out fire with Gasoline
THIS IS SOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!
Since I wasn’t a big Bowie guy growing up I can’t tell you which direction to go but I usually like to start at the beginning so I could see how an artist or band grows as they grow in popularity. Great analysis of a really beautiful song sung beautifully by Bowie. The drums were killer.
I'd definitely start somewhere in the glam era, although for me, Space Oddity and Hunky Dory and Never Let Me Down and The Next Day have grown on me more than any other albums.
@@chrismeadows4216 That's an interesting selection of 'growers', and I agree with you. Never Let Me Down always gets kicked in the teeth but it has some great tracks. Space Oddity is my 3rd favorite Bowie album, and it took me a little while to get into The Next Day, but it's now another great album too.
@@davidcopson5800, I feel that their bonus tracks bring breathtaking new experiences which most people haven't had. If someone wants to embrace these albums to the fullest, hearing songs like the original version of Conversation Piece, Bombers, Girls, and I'll Take You There should entrance them. Bowie hadn't started out dull or gotten dull. He'd simply sometimes set his best work aside to have other opportunities.
@@davidcopson5800, I'd had Young Americans, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), Let's Dance, Tonight, and the Labyrinth soundtrack hold me the fastest of Bowie's albums. His baritone tones are favorites of mine. The second David Bowie self-titled album, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Station to Station, Heroes, and Never Let Me Down had felt right next. The only Bowie album which I have trouble with listening to is 'hours...'. There isn't much energy to hear on it, though his Omikron songs which are on it are excellent.
Which Bowie album to do next? Why, "Heroes", I'd say! Cheerios from an autumn coloured country in Scandinavia ...
Also...This Is Not America where Bowie teams up with The Pat Metheny Group
an interesting album to go to for Bowie is his last album Blackstar .... his farewell to everyone , before his passing .... some people think it is his greatest work to date ... IMHO , it is not, ... it is a good album, but not my favorite Bowie album
Go back.
Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, Let's Dance. I skipped some great albums but these will keep you entertained as only Bowie can.
I don't know about the desert analogy but hey we all interpret lyrics differently. I played this song for my wedding. It's my favorite Bowie love song. The lyrics are amazing and David delivers them with
with unleashed passion and tenderness. I think it's the most impressive vocal performance of his career. ( and I know his complete catalog very well) Whenever someone says Bowie doesn't have a great voice I have them listen to this track.
Your info is wrong. Bowie had covered a good number of songs in studio before this album. He had even recorded two Springsteen songs, along with stuff like "It Ain't Easy", a Ron Davies song, on Ziggy Stardust; Marc Bolan's "Prettiest Star"; Chuck Berry's "Round and Round", but most had not been released.
Think you'll find the Diamond Dogs album (1974) is way ahead of it's time. A true classic, as with many Bowie albums.
I love Bowie and most that he has done . (I cried for 2 weeks when he died) but this album is my favourite has been for years, followed by Low, Ziggy, Hunky, Blackstar and Scary monsters 🤘⭐️⚡️
This channel is criminally under subscribed! Always intelligent and thoughtful analysis.
Ty winny!
Who knew he had this voice when he was doing Ziggy Stardust? He just channeled Ted Nealy's Jesus Christ here. "I don't want to taste your cup of poison, feel it burn me". Shivers. He totally could have done that part. And I really, really loved Ted Nealy.
Golden Years golden years that's the song David Bowie
Make sure you're sober when you write the next comment.
Best wishes from Germany, Great Great Album
Next stop... 'Heroes'
This was first recorded by Johnny Mathis, used in a film... however, it's jazz interpreter, Nina Simone's version is Bowie's odd & gorgeous interpretation & inspiration... hands down, best standard vocal of his career... footnote: Frank Sinatra heard this track soonafter it was recorded & asked Bowie to lunch, as daughter Tina was considering Bowie to portray her dad in a biopic miniseries in that time
After Station To Station? This! Lady Grinning Soul ain't half bad though.
Just seeing this now. Yes, the lyrics are amazing, but it seems as if you're giving David the credit for them. But I will admit, he delivers them flawlessly and with the utmost emotion.
Please do hunky dory or ziggy stardust🙏
Buffo che la sua migliore esecuzione sia in un brano stupendo ... Ma non suo 🤔🤔🤔
A brilliant track that sounds haunted. I wish Station to Station had more background atmospherics to it similar to some of the stuff on The Idiot or Low, but I appreciate the ghoulish vocals throughout the album, throws everything off kilter, again, in a haunted way.