The Bowie Connection

When I first began posting in this blog, I touched on the topic of glam rock as a transitional music movement. I mentioned that the era of glitter gods was relatively short and that there were only a few notable commercially successful bands to leap out from that wave.

Do I believe that a glam music influence has been snuffed out over the decades because of this?

Of course not.

I decided that today, since I’m feeling particularly musically existential, I'd take the time and pull down a few branches from the great tree of rock (and beyond) so that we could look at David Bowie and covers. I'd like to show you who was inspired by Bowie's glitter music. Likewise, I'd like to show you some of the artists that worked as a muse to David, too. I've placed an emphasis on genre in my list to show a musical connectedness that not only surpasses time but permiates type as well.

Why David Bowie? Because he is one of the most successful musicians from the this particular musical phase. The man has survived decades of musical twists and his name is still synonymous with glam rock today.

(Disclaimer: I’m aware that this is a long list but it is by no means comprehensive. I chose the tracks which I found most interesting to display. I have labelled the bands in each description with their genre(s) as listed on the, 100% factual, Wikipedia.org )

David Bowie Covered:

"Across the Universe," from the The Beatles (Genre: rock & pop) album "Let it be", was covered on the David Bowie album "Young Americans."

"Alabama-Song," from the Kurt Weill (Genre: concert hall and classical symphony) album "From Berlin to Broadway", was covered on the David Bowie album "Stage (disc 2)."

"Almost Grown," from the Chuck Berry (Genre: rock and roll) album "Chuck Berry is on Top", was covered on the David Bowie album "Bowie at the Beep."

"God Only Knows," from the The Beach Boys (Genre: rock/surf/pop) album "Pet Sounds", was covered on the David Bowie album "Tonight."

"I Can't Explain," from the The Who (Genre: Rock) album "Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy", was covered on the David Bowie album "Pin Ups."

"I Feel Free," from the Cream (Genre: British blues-rock) album "Fresh Cream", was covered on the road in ’72, later recorded on the David Bowie album "Black Tie White Noise."

"I Wish You Would," from the Billy Boy Arnold & Tony McPhee (Genre: blues) album "Blues Legends: Chicago Blues", was covered on the David Bowie album "Pin Ups."

"I've Been Waiting for You," from the Neil Young (Genre: swing, Jazz, Rockabilly, Blues) album "Neil Young", was covered on the David Bowie album "Heathen."

"Knock on Wood," from the self-titled Eddie Floyd (Genre: soul/R&B) LP, was covered on the David Bowie album "David Live ."

"Where Have All the Good Times Gone," from the The Kinks (Genre: Rock) album "One for the Road", was covered on the David Bowie album "Pin Ups."

"Wild Is the Wind," from the Nina Simone (Genre: jazz, soul, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop) album

"Lady Sings the Blues", was covered on the David Bowie album "Station to Station."

Covered David Bowie:

"1984," from the David Bowie album "Diamond Dogs" , was covered on the Tina Turner (Genre: rock) album "Private Dancer."

"Andy Warhol," from the David Bowie album "Hunky Dory" , was covered on the Stone Temple Pilots (Genre: rock) album "Vasoline."

"Ashes to Ashes," from the David Bowie album "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps" , was covered on the Tears For Fears (Genre: pop) album "Saturnine Martial & Lunatic."

"Diamond Dogs," from the David Bowie album "Diamond Dogs" , was covered on the Beck (Genre: “a pop art collage of musical styles”) album "Moulin Rouge."

"Drive-In Saturday," from the David Bowie album "Aladdin Sane" , was covered on the Morrissey (Genre: alternative rock) album "All You Need Is Me."

"Fame," from the David Bowie album "Young Americans" , was covered on the Duran Duran (Genre: pop rock, synthpop) album "Uncut 2003.03: Starman."

"Five Years," from the David Bowie album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" , was covered on the Fish (Genre: progressive rock) album "Songs From the Mirror."

"Golden Years," from the self-titled David Bowie album was covered on the Marilyn Manson (Genre: alternative metal, industrial metal) album "From Highway to Hell."

"Hallo Spaceboy," from the David Bowie album "Outside" , was covered on the Nine Inch Nails (Genre: industrial rock, industrial metal) album "The Oddball Couple."

"Heroes," the title track of the David Bowie album was covered on the Blondie (Genre: new wave, pop rock) album "Blonde and Beyond."

"The Jean Genie," from the David Bowie album "Aladdin Sane" , was covered on the The Dandy Warhols (Genre: alternative rock, psychedelic rock) album "Come on Feel the Dandy Warhols."

"Kooks," from the David Bowie album "Hunky Dory" , was covered on the Robbie Williams (Genre: pop rock, britrock) album "Rules of Life."

"Life On Mars," from the David Bowie album "Hunky Dory" , was covered on the The Flaming Lips (Genre: alternative rock, indie rock) album "This Here Giraffe."

"The Man Who Sold the World," from the David Bowie album "The Man Who Sold the World" , was covered on the Nirvana (Genre: alternative rock, grundge) album "MTV Unplugged in New York."

"Quicksand," from the David Bowie album "Hunky Dory" , was covered on the Seal (Genre: soul, R&B) album "Unplugged."

"Rebel Rebel," from the David Bowie album "Diamond Dogs" , was covered on the Bay City Rollers (Genre: bubblegum pop) album "David Bowie."

"Suffragette City," from the David Bowie album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" , was covered on the Alice in Chains (Genre: alternative rock, grundge) album "Boot! ."

"Suffragette City," from the David Bowie album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" , was covered on the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Genre: alternative rock, funk rock) album "Slap Happy."