Thank you David Bowie for being the soundtrack of my life. 20 Favorite David Bowie Tracks.

January 11, 2016

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It is just heartbreaking for me to report the news of the passing of David Bowie earlier tonight. I ran across the news on David Bowie’s Twitter account and I was shocked.

After checking and rechecking with numerous sources, in search of the confirmation that it was an internet hoax, I broke down when I read the tweet from David’s son:

 

I couldn’t believe that the man whose music was literally the soundtrack of my life has passed away. He had just released his new album, Blackstar only two days ago. His new album had been described by The Times, as Bowie’s oddest work yet. But as I listen to it, I hear the innovative, every changing, evolving music of a genius. It is almost an album to bring David full circle to where his musical career began, challenging those to listen openly to music and let it take over you. Not judge, not define, just simply enjoy. You can check out the video for the title track here.

I grew up listening to David Bowie as my older siblings played his records in the early 70’s and then as a teenager, I was drawn to his charismatic individual nature. He was simply so unique in a mesmerizing way. I could sit and listen to David Bowie for hours on cassettes and then in the 80’s with the addition of MTV I would become engulfed in watching his videos.

After finally seeing him live when I was 20, I was simply paralyzed as I watched him perform, his energy was infectious and I had never felt so alive to witness my favorite songs being performed live!  In recent years, I rekindled my love for his earlier works by finding the vinyls in and listening to the songs all over, now well into my adulthood. The songs took on new meanings, brought out new feelings, old memories and so much more. I will forever be grateful to David Bowie for becoming the soundtrack of my life. I will leave you with 20 of my favorite David Bowie songs. This was a very painstakingly hard list to compile since I could have named 50 of my fave songs and they are in no particular order.

Rest in Peace David. You will be greatly missed

~ Marisol

  1. The Man Who Sold The World – this song was my escape, my solace. When the world would hit me with some punches or struggles, this song would become the warm embrace of comfort for me.

 

19. Thursday’s Child – David’s vocals on this melodic track were simply angelic to me.

 

  1. Heroes – Intense in every way, lyrics that would hit you and lift you up to heavens. I could easily shut the world out with this song.

 

  1. Starman – I remember watching David Bowie play this on one of the tv shows, possibly Merv Griffin or another late night one. I can’t recall but I was so smitten with  him and his unique style. I loved his individuality and he was truly a star!

 

16. Young Americans – This song was like a blend of teenage love meets real life and I loved this song so much! I think lyrically it was amazing and so many of my friends just thought of it as a catchy tune and others got it as I did.

 

  1. Changes – This just might be the first song that I heard that of David. It was spinning on my sister’s record player. I can remember the excitement from this song, it just grabbed me and I never let go.

 

  1. Five Years – It wasn’t until many years later that this song became one of my favorites. Ziggy Stardust, David’s alter ego in the storyline was so captivating.

 

  1. Let’s Dance – This song has a very specific memory for me. Our high school got onto this local show called TV 20’s Dance Party and this song was one of my favorite songs  and I just went crazy when it played for us on the show. My friends and I knew every word and we would dance around in our off the shoulder cut Flashdance shirts and mini-skirts with leg warmers. (I hope no one finds that video!)

 

 

12. Ashes To Ashes – I was obsessed with this video during the MTV days.

 

  1. China Girl – While we are here the 80’s let me bring you another of my favorite songs and videos. I could remember sitting and waiting for the video to play so I could record it!

 

  1.  Suffragette City – This song friggin rocked so hard. I was so taken by this song and it’s glam, explosive rock style. So bad ass and truly iconic track!

 

  1. You Feel So Lonely You Could Die – I was so glad when David put out The Next Day and this became one of my favorite tracks. Some called it dark and I thought it was more like a light being shone on a darkness.

 

  1.  Rock n Roll Suicide – Purely genius track, enough said.

 

  1. Space Oddity – Another simply genius track. Stunning, lyrical perfectionism and symbolic on so many levels. You can’t imaging the amount of hours that I have listened to this song in my life. If I had to add it up, I think we would be in weeks. This is my favorite on so many levels. This song was a soundtrack for so many hard times, good times, struggles and achievements. It was my Go To song for so much. It was my best friend when I was lonely or sad but it was also my pick me up song to get me going and take those first uneasy steps.

 

  1.  Dancing In The Street – This is one of a couple duets/collabs that I have. I loved the Stones so I was so loving the fact that Mick was on this song. I still think David was the star of the song on so many levels!!!!

  1. Under Pressure – This song by Queen featuring David Bowie was superb!

4. Little Drummer Boy – I know it is not a Bowie song but it has to be on the list. This classic Christmas song was performed on TV by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. It became a family favorite of ours. My father was a huge Bing Crosby fan. It is beautiful!!

3. Golden Years – If ever there was a song that would take me back to our garage in the 70’s is this song. They would have their friends over and be dancing in the garage and this song would come on and I would try to sneak in there to listen. I loved it!! I would get kicked out and then would just listen from inside.

 

  1. Slip Away  – This nostalgic song that pays homage just has such a raw emotion to it. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it.

 

I Can’t Give Everything Away – This song all makes sense now. I was not aware as many that David was sick and battling cancer. His album Blackstar was released this month and from the previews it seemed to have a dark shroud over it. Others didn’t want to hear it saying it was too dark or far off. For myself, I am drawn to the album even more so since it was the work of my idol during the last years of his life. It is filled with his emotion, his creativity, purely himself. This song says is it. It is his goodbye and it breaks my heart.

 

In addition to my favorites, we must highlight his swan song, Lazarus off his Blackstar album. It truly feels as though he was giving all his fans one last gift of music, knowing he was soon leaving us. This is the song that has haunting lyrics:

Look up here, I’m in heaven

I’ve got scars that can’t be seen

I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen

Everybody knows me now

Rest in Peace  David Bowie

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