Born David Robert Jones , the "chameleon of rock" was one of the most innovative and influential popular musicians of all time.
Singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer, David Bowie won fans around the world with his versatility and originality. As Bowie, Tin Machine , Ziggy Stardust , or any other form he adopted during his life, he created hits and anthems that resonate across generations.
At 69 years old, Bowie delivered his last revolutionary act: the album Blackstar . Two days after the album's release, on January 10, 2016, Bowie lost his battle with cancer and passed away at his home in New York. Tony Visconti, the musician's longtime producer, said after his passing:
“He always did what he wanted. And he wanted to do things his way, and in the best way possible. His death was no different from his life – a work of art. He made Blackstar for us, it’s his final gift. I knew for a year that this would happen this way. I wasn’t, however, prepared. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it’s appropriate to mourn.”
Today, we celebrate what would have been his 72nd birthday with eleven of the best tracks from this great artistic genius.
11. “Starman” from the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
The album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was one of the works that best summarized Bowie's fascination with space and other planets. The album's first hit, "Starman," helped the musician introduce the Ziggy Stardust persona to the public.
10. “China Girl” from the album The Idiot (1977)
In addition to his impeccable original work, Bowie also had a great talent for covers. One of his most famous is "China Girl," a track originally composed for Iggy Pop , The Idiot (1977). The song was written by the duo especially for the former Stooges , but achieved success after Bowie's cover version.
9. “Lazarus” from the album ★ (2016)
Bowie was adventurous and revolutionary until his final moments. His 25th and last album, ★ , was recorded during a marathon studio session in 2014, when the singer spent seven hours recording vocals non-stop. Released two days before his death in 2016, the album, and especially the track "Lazarus"—which gained an impressive music video—gained exceptional power. See an excerpt of the track, which was shared by many of the musician's fans after his death:
Look up here, I'm in heaven.
I have scars that can't be seen.
I have drama, it can't be stolen.
Everyone knows me now.
Look up here, man, I'm in danger.
I have nothing to lose.
I'm so high my brain is spinning.
I dropped my phone down there.
Isn't that just like me?
8. “Fame” from the album Young Americans (1975)
Bowie's first song to top the American charts, "Fame," was born in an extraordinary way: the singer invited John Lennon to record a version of "Across the Universe," and the visit resulted in a jam session. There, the singers worked on some rhymes and rhythms, which later served as the basis for the hit.
7. “The Man Who Sold The World” from the album The Man Who Sold The World (1970)
The album The Man Who Sold the World was the first with Bowie's classic band, Spiders from Mars , who helped him establish his sound. The song has been covered by numerous different artists, the most famous being Nirvana historic performance on MTV Unplugged . Kurt Cobain once said that The Man Who Sold the World is one of his 50 favorite albums, a comment that moved Bowie.
6. “Rebel Rebel” from the album Diamond Dogs (1974)
Two years after introducing Ziggy Stardust to the world, Bowie bid farewell to glam-rock with the anthem "Rebel Rebel," his most performed track to date. The song was originally written for a Ziggy Stardust musical that never came to fruition and was inspired by Keith Richards and his work with the Rolling Stones , particularly its riff.
5. “Heroes” from the album Heroes (1977)
David Bowie recorded few commercial tracks, mainly in the 1970s, but "Heroes" is among them. Although it wasn't a hit at the time of its release, the song gradually won over fans, achieving great fame in the 1990s. Today, the song is one of the best-known and most beloved in Bowie's catalog.
4. “Changes” from the album Hunky Dory (1971)
Bowie had already achieved great fame in the early 1970s, but it was only with the release of "Changes" that his success left the United Kingdom and crossed the ocean to the United States. Its lyrics are often interpreted as a statement of the fluctuating nature of his personality. The track became iconic when Bowie chose it to be the last song performed live before retiring from the stage in 2006.
3. “Space Oddity” from the album David Bowie (1969)
Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey , the track follows Major Tom, an astronaut who gets lost in space. Released by the record label in 1969, the same year Apollo 11 went to the moon, the hit served as the soundtrack for the BBC's coverage of the event. "Space Oddity" came after Bowie's several attempts to find his sound. The track was a collaboration with Elton John , Gus Dudgeon.
2. “Ziggy Stardust” from the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
Despite never being released as a single, "Ziggy Stardust" is one of Bowie's most beloved songs among fans. In it, we can learn a little more about his persona, such as his fondness for jam sessions with his friends Weird and Gilly. Ziggy Stardust is pale and has strange hair. The song itself is a glam-rock anthem.
1. “Life On Mars?” from the album Hunky Dory (1971)
One of Bowie's most famous songs, "Life On Mars" showcases one of the best vocal moments of the rock chameleon. The track explores the versatility of his talent and reinforces the playful and modern themes of his personality.
