Mojo Filter's Top 25 David Bowie Songs

[mojofilter]

Check out and leave comments on my previous threads listing my Top 50 Male Solo Artists (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=43287), Top 20 Female Solo Artists (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=43395), Top 50 Bands (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=42727), Top 30 Beatles Songs (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1389710#post1389710), Top 40 Michael Jackson Songs (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1414687#post1414687), Top 40 John Lennon Songs (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1418575#post1418575), Top 30 Phil Collins Songs (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1419566#post1419566), and Top 40 Billy Joel Songs (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1432595#post1432595).


The following are my Top 25 Songs by one of the greatest solo artists of all time...

DAVID BOWIE
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b1/fe/9d/b1fe9d8ccf54be9e28ea2c2374585984.jpg
R.I.P. (January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016)

25. DIAMOND DOGS
(1974, Diamond Dogs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdYbK2J_viM
One of David's rockiest tracks. Clearly inspired by The Rolling Stones. The title track off of his 1974 concept album.

[cricket]

Nice thread Mojo

[mojofilter]

24. THIS IS NOT AMERICA
(1985, The Falcon And The Snowman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsMUxdZGgWI
Written for the soundtrack of the 1985 Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton drama The Falcon And The Snowman, this song was the result of David's collaboration with jazz fusion band Pat Metheny Group. One of his best songs of the 80's.

[mojofilter]

23. WHERE ARE WE NOW?
(2013, The Next Day)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWtsV50_-p4
Released on his 66th birthday, this brilliant low key song became David's biggest international hit in years.

[mojofilter]

22. SOUND AND VISION
(1977, Low)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoDamvrfUbQ
One of David's best rockers that features an uplifting guitar riff. Classic.

[mojofilter]

I hope you MoFo's can excuse the change. I switched this list into a Top 25 instead of a Top 20. As I was revisiting Bowie's music today, I realized that I overlooked 5 other songs that were some of my top favorites.


The list will continue shortly...

[mojofilter]

21. LOVING THE ALIEN
(1984, Tonight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOaqDEjxQAU
One of David's many pop hits in the 80's.

[cricket]

I haven't been following your music lists because I don't know many of the songs. So far, these are all unfamiliar to me, at least by title.

[mojofilter]

20. YOUNG AMERICANS
(1975, Young Americans)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScVi_L817ec
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLcs4VrjZQ
Inspired by soul music, this is one David's most recognizable songs.

[mojofilter]

I haven't been following your music lists because I don't know many of the songs. So far, these are all unfamiliar to me, at least by title.


Listen to them. I truly believe this list will end up being the definitive David Bowie collection.

[mojofilter]

19. HEROES
(1977, Heroes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgcc5V9Hu3g
The song that would later be covered by such bands as The Wallflowers and Oasis, Heroes has become of one of Bowie's signature songs.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I wasn't a superfan of David Bowie at all. In fact, in some ways, he annoyed me. But I did like some of his songs.

I'm a fan of his new song, "Lazarus", thanks largely to his video. And -- his death helped it, too, frankly.

[cricket]

Heroes is great, of course.

[mojofilter]

18. DANCING IN THE STREET
(1985, Stand-alone Single)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ
Originally recorded by Martha and the Vandellas, David collaborated with Mick Jagger to record their version of the song, a fun dance track, with sales of the single going towards fighting famine as part of Live Aid.

[gbgoodies]

18. DANCING IN THE STREET
(1985, Stand-alone Single)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ
Originally recorded by Martha and the Vandellas, David collaborated with Mick Jagger to record their version of the song, a fun dance track, with sales of the single going towards fighting famine as part of Live Aid.


Isn't "Dancing in the Streets" the song that David Bowie and Mick Jagger sang together at the Live Aid concert, but they were at different locations at the time? (Bowie in London and Jagger in Philadelphia, if I remember correctly.)

[Daniel M]

Sound and Vision, Young Americans and Heroes would be in my top 25 too. Like the others too, maybe I'll do something similar. Looking forward to the rest.

[mojofilter]

17. BLUE JEAN
(1984, Tonight)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTYvjrM6djo
One of the few highlights on his 1984 release and the song that was considered a follow-up to his 70's classic The Jean Genie.

[mojofilter]

16. THE JEAN GENIE
(1972, Aladdin Sane)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGQo6zpVzt8
One of the earliest and most recognizable David Bowie songs.

[mojofilter]

15. ZIGGY STARDUST
(1972, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXq5VvYAI1Q
David's creativity was at its peak during the early to mid-70's with the spacey psychedelic experimentations and the birth of personas like Ziggy who would become pop cultural icons.

[mojofilter]

14. REBEL REBEL
(1974, Diamond Dogs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U16Xg_rQZkA
The song with one of the best guitar riffs ever recorded. This Rolling Stones inspired hit is definitely one of David's signature rock songs.

[mojofilter]

13. JOHN, I'M ONLY DANCING
(1972, Stand-alone Single)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VrqCBsbeuc
Written in response to John Lennon making a negative remark once about David's cross-dressing. John and David would later become friends and work together on David's 1975 album Young Americans (John co-wrote and appears vocally on the song Fame).

[mojofilter]

12. SUFFRAGETTE CITY//ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
(1972, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLnPd7lzT4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rajof9Qigos
Suffragette City is easily one of David's coolest and hardest rock songs. David made references in the lyrics to one of his inspirations, Little Richard ("Wham bam, thank you ma'am").
Tied at 12 is All The Young Dudes, a song David wrote for and that would later be recorded and made famous by Mott The Hoople. Classic rock at its finest for both songs.

[mojofilter]

11. LIFE ON MARS?
(1971, Hunky Dory)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--IqqusnNQ
A song that was described as a cross between a Broadway musical and a Salvador Dali painting, Life On Mars is one of David's most captivating songs.

[mojofilter]

Here's a recap of number 25 - 11
25. DIAMOND DOGS
24. THIS IS NOT AMERICA
23. WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
22. SOUND AND VISION
21. LOVING THE ALIEN
20. YOUNG AMERICANS
19. HEROES
18. DANCING IN THE STREET
17. BLUE JEAN
16. THE JEAN GENIE
15. ZIGGY STARDUST
14. REBEL, REBEL
13. JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING
12. SUFFRAGETTE CITY//ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
11. LIFE ON MARS?
Top 10 begins shortly...

[honeykid]

You seem to've added an extra 1 to the #1 song. You've made it number 11. :D You are going to feel silly when you notice. ;)

[mojofilter]

10. CHINA GIRL
(1983, Let's Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_8IXx4tsus
Co-written by Iggy Pop, this classic hit song was released at the height of David's superstardom during the 80's when he became part of the MTV pop culture scene.

[cricket]

Many great songs since I last checked in with my favorite being Blue Jean. The only song I don't care for is Dancing in the Street.

[mojofilter]

You seem to've added an extra 1 to the #1 song. You've made it number 11. :D You are going to feel silly when you notice. ;)


I take it you like Life On Mars? I would not have noticed :D
Bowie had so many great songs that the list starting from 12 and onwards was so hard to put in order. But I used my judgment based on how much I really liked each song.

[mojofilter]

9. THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
(1971, The Man Who Sold the World)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Bd3iJSFyE
The song that would become even more famous more than 20 years later when Nirvana covered it for their MTV unplugged session, this dark and elusive song is definitely one of David's best pieces of work.

[mojofilter]

8. LET'S DANCE
(1983, Let's Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4d7Wp9kKjA
Possibly the most 'pop' song David ever made, this infectious tune ruled the airwaves in the 80's and has become one of that decade's signature songs.

[honeykid]

I take it you like Life On Mars? I would not have noticed :D

Yeah, just a bit. :D I've nominated it twice for song tournaments and it's gone out first round both times. :(

I didn't like Let's Dance when it was released, but it started to really grow on me when I was in my 20's. I love it now and I think it'd be top 10 for me, too.

[mojofilter]

7. MODERN LOVE
(1983, Let's Dance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNQa7T4kS6w
By far, the best 80's pop song David released, this infectious tune ruled the airwaves in the 80's and has become another one of that decade's signature songs.

[mojofilter]

6. OH YOU PRETTY THINGS
(1971, Hunky Dory)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixLm9eSYldE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBQ-S6njQQw
Clearly inspired by The Beatles, this brilliant piano-driven track is one of the coolest David Bowie songs by far.

[mojofilter]

5. FAME
(1975, Young Americans)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9kuNMdUq_0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvXrbKoGQOY
Co-written by John Lennon, this is a satirical and smooth rock track about the price of celebrity and fame. John contributed some guitar work and vocals as well (the word "Fame" being sung repeatedly throughout the song is actually John's voice). The song became David's biggest smash hit worldwide at the time of its release. David would eventually re-record and re-release the song in 1990 for the soundtrack of Pretty Woman.

[mojofilter]

4. CHANGES
(1971, Hunky Dory)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCgzX7vwlFk
One of David's biggest rock classics on the strength of its angst-ridden lyrics and that famous stutter inspired by The Who's My Generation ("Ch-ch-ch-changes...").

[Sexy Celebrity]

I'm gonna reject this list if I don't see "I'm Afraid of Americans."

[mojofilter]

3. UNDER PRESSURE
(1982, Hot Space by Queen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux-FUrTkm3I
David collaborated with Freddie Mercury and Queen in the early 80's for this instant classic rock hit. Brilliant song all around.

[mojofilter]

I'm gonna reject this list if I don't see "I'm Afraid of Americans."
Prepare for disappointment, then. Sorry :(

[mojofilter]

2. SPACE ODDITY
(1969, David Bowie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP6xBFyA_aw
The breakthrough hit song for Bowie in the late 60's that introduced the world to Major Tom. Brilliant song!

[mojofilter]

I thought I'd share this video of a group of people singing Space Oddity on the day of David's death. Makes the spine tingle.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hhjw5cI6ZQ

[mojofilter]

1. STARMAN
(1972, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2uq_rTNBmU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5zmDz4vR4
A song about Ziggy Stardust sending a message to the people on Earth, told in the voice of a youth who hears Ziggy. A timeless classic.

[honeykid]

I feared it would be Starman. I've never been much of a fan and I don't think it would make top 10 for me.

Congrats on finishing your list. :up:

[mojofilter]

The entire list:


25. DIAMOND DOGS
24. THIS IS NOT AMERICA
23. WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
22. SOUND AND VISION
21. LOVING THE ALIEN
20. YOUNG AMERICANS
19. HEROES
18. DANCING IN THE STREET
17. BLUE JEAN
16. THE JEAN GENIE
15. ZIGGY STARDUST
14. REBEL, REBEL
13. JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING
12. SUFFRAGETTE CITY//ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
11. LIFE ON MARS?
10. CHINA GIRL
9. THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD
8. LET’S DANCE
7. MODERN LOVE
6. OH YOU PRETTY THINGS
5. FAME
4. CHANGES
3. UNDER PRESSURE
2. SPACE ODDITY
1. STARMAN

[mojofilter]

Next up...


My Top 40 Songs by


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LH4H__rBfhU/TydAvKTxGkI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/Xh0CK7GnAas/s1600/madonna-2.jpg

[Beatle]

3. UNDER PRESSURE
(1982, Hot Space by Queen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux-FUrTkm3I
David collaborated with Freddie Mercury and Queen in the early 80's for this instant classic rock hit. Brilliant song all around.


I remember watching a Queen documentary. John deacon came up with the intro on bass, yaknow dumdumdumdumdumdumdum. Then they went somewhere and he forgot it. But Roger Taylor remembered it and that's how the song wa born.

He was 11 days older than my dad. :(

I was kinda hoping there'll be space for more songs, but what a heck. This isn't even his song, it's a cover of Merseybeats' Sorrow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRVgKaqrHSc

It's featured on his album Pin-ups, consisting solely of covers (I think See Emily Play by Pink Floyd from Piper at the Gates of Down). But it's a beautiful song, and my favorite that he ever performed, not counting Across the Universe which is on Young Americans (I think it's the last track), which is his "Bealtes", or rather "John" album. They collaborated on Fame, we have John, I'm Only Dancing which I think is a reference to John's I'm Only Sleeping from Revolver, and even in the song Young Americans, there's I read the news today, oh boy, as sung by female backing vocals, from A Day in the Life.

Well, at least they released The Berlin Trilogy: Diamond Dogs, Young Americans and Station to Station (that's the album with 6 longer tracks) finally on vinyl. I'll buy the former two for my birthday.

I also love this famous rendition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4WG_y7owmM