Best of DAVID BOWIE: 10 Greatest Hits & Tattoos

Born David Robert Jones (January 8, 1947), is an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist & record producer. He is well known for his distinct baritone voice, cryptic and intellectual depth of his lyrics, and eccentric sounds of his works. His androgynous image, as well, has become an iconic element in the 70s and 80s, and his record-breaking songs about The mysteries of Space, and of The Unknown, such as “Space Oddity” (released 9 days before Apollo 11), has made it into the top charts and has stolen the hearts of listeners world wide. His songs live on until today, for they were full of soul, and soul is deathless. Learn more about this amazing artist & his greatest songs as you scroll along! ;-) let us know your favorite!

Disclaimer: These aren’t arranged in any particular rank or order, just 10 of Bowie’s greatest songs, which are my personal favorite. Enjoy! :-)

1. THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (1970)

One of the creepiest songs Bowie ever written, popularized as well by Nirvana, is The Man who sold the world. “We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was & when. Although I wasn’t there, He said I was his friend. Which came as some surprise, I spoke into his eyes:

“I thought you died alone. A long long time ago.” …”Oh no, not me. I never lost control. You’re face to face with the man who sold the World.” .

2. ZIGGY STARDUST (1972)

(Tattoo by Paul Acker) Ziggy Stardust is a persona adopted by David Bowie and this song is part of the album about the story of Ziggy Stardust—a rock star who acts as a messenger of extraterrestrial beings.

3. SPACE ODDITY (1969)

A beautiful & haunting song about the tale of Major Tom, who drifted off & got lost in Space.

“Though I’m past 100,000 miles, i’m feeling very still. And I think my spaceship knows which way to go… tell my wife I love her very much… She knows.” -Space Oddity

4. HEROES (1977)

(Tattooed by Kelly Doty) Bowie got inspired and wrote the song when he saw a pair of lovers on a rendezvous under the Berlin wall. This song was beautifully covered by The Wallflowers, retaining the passion and soulful, melancholic sound.

“We could steal Time, just for one day. We can be Heroes, forever and ever… What d’you say?” -Heroes

5. LIFE ON MARS (1971)

(Tattoo by Alex Strangler) As how BBC radio puts it, the song is “a cross between a broadway musical & a Salvador Dali painting.”

6. YOUNG AMERICANS (1975)

Has soulful sax (played by David Sanborn) & backup singers to accompany the happy, upbeat song about misery. The contrast is so awesome!

7. SOUND & VISION (1977)

This wonderful & happy song will make you trip out and really wonder ’bout sound and vision. We’re so used to it in our lives, we haven’t really paused to wonder.

“I will sit right down, waiting for the gift of sound & vision. And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound & vision. Drifting into solitude over my head; Don’t you wonder sometimes ’bout sound & vision?”

8. CHANGES (1971)

(Tattoo by Alex de Pase) One of the best records of Bowie’s singing, this song earned him the title as the “Music Chameleon”. Beautiful piano playing by Rick Wakeman.

9. MOONAGE DAYDREAM (1972)

(Tattoo by Ross K Jones) Moonage Daydream was written in 1971 & first released as a single with the band “Arnold Corns”. The song tells of an Alien messiah giving him hints at his destiny to save the world from the impending disaster described in Bowie’s previous songs.

“Don’t fake it, baby. Lay the real thing on me. The church of man, love, is such a holy place to be.”

10. Where are we now? (2013)

“Where are we now?” Is the first single from Bowie’s 24th studio album, “The Next Day” which was released on iTunes on David Bowie’s 66th birthday (January 8, 2013). The song was simply dropped for fans to discover, without any advertisements.