I like the thought that David is looking down on us, a marvellous talent, just a look at my record collection, and there he is through the decades. RIP
My favourite version of this song. My favourite D.Bowie song. I will remember him for some of his songs and for playing with the immense and overlooked Trevor Bolder.
Yes! And yet the song is packed with references most will probably not know. No I think he's being honest. I think he tended to be a human being after all
Bowies voice changes fascinate me. The voice up to Ziggy either changed or-his voice box changed or something. After that-his voice stayed the same from 1975 to 2016. Station to Station does not sound like the same singer as from Ziggy just four years earlier
I find it fascinating, also. I wonder if it was all the smoking. I heard Bowie smoked up to 4 packs a day at the worst of it. I'll bet it was a huge shock for fans used to hearing his youthful tenor on something like, say, "Drive-in Saturday" to hear the almost-bass on "Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)"on _Diamond Dogs_! And then the climb from that bass to falsetto within a minute in the same song! I know it was a shock for me to hear he lost his deepest baritone by _Reality_ and he was getting that reedy timbre again, like the one he'd had on the 2nd _David Bowie_ album.
goodbye bowie. you were always there for me through the highs and lows of life. a constant reassurance that you can be creative, thoughtful and different and not be ashamed to be who you are. truly a solitary light in an ever darkening world x
That airy, fairy comment rather perturbed me. I have always loved this version of this song because in it Bowie's voice is raw and plaintive, like he is pleading with the listener to understand as he stands on the precipice. The song is knowledge laid bare not pretense or artifice. It shows just how vast and unique Bowie's thought processes and range as an artist were.
The studio version is definitely superior, but there's something about the rawness of Bowie's voice here - particularly given the song's context now after his death - that lends it a really special emotional power.
Totally. The song's spiritual cri-de-coeur comes thru much more powerfully in this original version. The bass & strings (Mellotron?), Wakeman's well-intentioned piano flourishes - and especially the drums - serve to dilute the intensity of the album version. Reminds me of some of the tracks on Nick Drake's Bryter Later - the original demos preserve much more of soul of the songs.
'Knowledge comes with death's release'. So many people are frightened of dying they don't realise that when we die we are advancing, just 'stepping into another room' and we take all of our accumulated knowledge with us. Death should be a pleasurable experience because we have all died so many times before. I, for one look forward to it. NBS
If anyone is interested in the chords for this version then with a capo on the third fret they are as follows: (The Eb is played as a D chord shape on the 3rd fret (Capo) with only the G B E strings played, then take that shape down two frets and do the same for the F the rest are all open chords.) You can play it without the capo and it will sound good but 3rd fret if you want this key. Enjoy! G
C I'm closer to the Golden Dawn G Immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery C I'm living in a silent film G Portraying Himmler's sacred realm of dream reality Eb F I'm frightened by the total goal, drawing to the ragged hole G Em C And I ain't got the power anymore C G No I ain't got the power anymore
C I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes G I'm living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny C I'm torn between the light and dark G Where others see their targets, divine symmetry Eb Should I kiss the viper's fang F Or herald loud the death of Man G Em C I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought C G And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE]
G D Em Don't believe in yourself A7 D Don't deceive with belief B7 Am Knowledge comes with death's release A7 G Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaah Em D Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaaha
C I'm not a prophet or a stoneage man G Just a mortal with potential of a superman, I'm living on C I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien G Can't take my eyes from the great salvation of bullshit faith Eb If I don't explain what you ought to know F You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo G Em C I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought C G And I ain't got the power anymore
This would definitely work in the 90's or now even - hell he was soo far ahead of his time! and still is - god I wish he would tour again or do a new album - please, let the powers that be let his new fans hear and see him live!
I knew this song by the cover by J Mascis. He's not Neil Young, but a great disciple of him. He also knows quite well the David Bowie's discography from this period, so thanks to J for letting me know how great Bowie is!...
i downloaded this album a long time ago and for some reason the demo version of this song replaced the original song. i still prefer this version honestly
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn Immersed in Crowley's uniform Of imagery I'm living in a silent film Portraying Himmler's sacred realm Of dream reality I'm frightened by the total goal Drawing to the ragged hole And I ain't got the power anymore No I ain't got the power anymore ... mkultra victims around the world, and you adore this poor people, not looking through
this was the first version Quicksand I'd heard and the only one I'd known for years. i'm glad to have found it again! is there an album that has this version on it?
Rykodisc remaster 1990 has 4 bonus tracks including this, The Supermen (alternate version), The Bewlay Brothers (alternate mix) and Bombers (previously unreleased) which you can find second hand online :)
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn Immersed in Crowley's uniform Of imagery I'm living in a silent film Portraying Himmler's sacred realm Of dream reality I'm frightened by the total goal Drawing to the ragged hole And I ain't got the power anymore No, I ain't got the power anymore I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes Living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny I'm torn between the light and dark Where others see their targets, divine symmetry Should I kiss the viper's fang? Or herald loud the death of Man I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought And I ain't got the power anymore Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man Just a mortal with the potential of a superman I'm living on I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien Can't take my eyes from the great salvation Of bullshit faith If I don't explain what you ought to know You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought And I ain't got the power anymore Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah
I don't tune my guitar down, but if you put a capo on the third fret the chords are: G
C I'm closer to the Golden Dawn G Immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery C I'm living in a silent film G Portraying Himmler's sacred realm of dream reality Eb F I'm frightened by the total goal, drawing to the ragged hole G Em C And I ain't got the power anymore C G No I ain't got the power anymore
C I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes G I'm living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny C I'm torn between the light and dark G Where others see their targets, divine symmetry Eb Should I kiss the viper's fang F Or herald loud the death of Man G Em C I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought C G And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE]
G D Em Don't believe in yourself A7 D Don't deceive with belief B7 Am Knowledge comes with death's release A7 G Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaah Em D Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaaha
C I'm not a prophet or a stoneage man G Just a mortal with potential of a superman, I'm living on C I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien G Can't take my eyes from the great salvation of bullshit faith Eb If I don't explain what you ought to know F You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo G Em C I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought C G And I ain't got the power anymore
Nothing that Bowie does is bad, but I like the Hunky Dory version. Not sure he is in his best voice on this one - yes, its a great demo, but I like the studio version.
![David Bowie - Alternate Candidate (Demo) [2004 Remastered Version]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ryAzixcCND0/mqdefault.jpg)
My favourite version by a mile. He really SINGS this, it's poetic I often play it in the car and our sons love it Sad news today 😱
this is the best version of the song
David Bowie, if you can read this comment somehow, I think you were one of the most important people in the history of music
I like the thought that David is looking down on us, a marvellous talent, just a look at my record collection, and there he is through the decades. RIP
absolutely
My favourite version of this song. My favourite D.Bowie song. I will remember him for some of his songs and for playing with the immense and overlooked Trevor Bolder.
This is THE best version. Wish it was on streaming services
It is.
Haven’t heard this in 20 years. It’s making me cry it’s so fucking beautiful
Should I kiss the vipers fang
Or herald loud
The death of man
I'm sinking in the quicksand
Of my thought
And I ain't got the power anymore
The album is a Masterpiece
from 1969 to 1981 all Bowie's albums are masterpieces... (except Fame)
@@xx..tiasan im in new zealand
Its like David Bowie singing totally unpretentious and natural so beautiful
Yes! And yet the song is packed with references most will probably not know. No I think he's being honest. I think he tended to be a human being after all
Bowies voice changes fascinate me. The voice up to Ziggy either changed or-his voice box changed or something. After that-his voice stayed the same from 1975 to 2016. Station to Station does not sound like the same singer as from Ziggy just four years earlier
I find it fascinating, also. I wonder if it was all the smoking. I heard Bowie smoked up to 4 packs a day at the worst of it.
I'll bet it was a huge shock for fans used to hearing his youthful tenor on something like, say, "Drive-in Saturday" to hear the almost-bass on "Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)"on _Diamond Dogs_! And then the climb from that bass to falsetto within a minute in the same song! I know it was a shock for me to hear he lost his deepest baritone by _Reality_ and he was getting that reedy timbre again, like the one he'd had on the 2nd _David Bowie_ album.
Cocain, cigarettes and wine.. That's what happened.
That would be the cocaine and cigarettes
"Knowledge comes with death's release"
DEMO Bowie - at his VERY best, guitar,words/vocals,
bryan david
goodbye bowie. you were always there for me through the highs and lows of life. a constant reassurance that you can be creative, thoughtful and different and not be ashamed to be who you are. truly a solitary light in an ever darkening world x
Goodbye David, a showman to the last, on Friday, your birthday and 25th album. On Monday you leave us. RIP
With out any doubt the best version!
Always loved this song and this was my favourite version. I adore the acoustic guitar in this track.
Not sure why but I prefer this version compared to the version chosen to be on the album
Mickey Flipper By a long shot! The album version gets weighted down, like......quicksand! This version is aerie fairy gold dust magick!
Totally agree
That airy, fairy comment rather perturbed me. I have always loved this version of this song because in it Bowie's voice is raw and plaintive, like he is pleading with the listener to understand as he stands on the precipice. The song is knowledge laid bare not pretense or artifice. It shows just how vast and unique Bowie's thought processes and range as an artist were.
The studio version is definitely superior, but there's something about the rawness of Bowie's voice here - particularly given the song's context now after his death - that lends it a really special emotional power.
Totally. The song's spiritual cri-de-coeur comes thru much more powerfully in this original version. The bass & strings (Mellotron?), Wakeman's well-intentioned piano flourishes - and especially the drums - serve to dilute the intensity of the album version. Reminds me of some of the tracks on Nick Drake's Bryter Later - the original demos preserve much more of soul of the songs.
"And I ain't got the power, anymore..."
'Knowledge comes with death's release'.
So many people are frightened of dying they don't realise that when we die we are advancing, just 'stepping into another room' and we take all of our accumulated knowledge with us. Death should be a pleasurable experience because we have all died so many times before. I, for one look forward to it. NBS
How prophetic your words were back in November. RIP
reading your comment in todays state of the whole world.. is it still beautiful?
Requiescat in pace.
If anyone is interested in the chords for this version then with a capo on the third fret they are as follows:
(The Eb is played as a D chord shape on the 3rd fret (Capo) with only the G B E strings played, then take that shape down two frets and do the same for the F the rest are all open chords.) You can play it without the capo and it will sound good but 3rd fret if you want this key.
Enjoy!
G
C
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn
G
Immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery
C
I'm living in a silent film
G
Portraying Himmler's sacred realm of dream reality
Eb F
I'm frightened by the total goal, drawing to the ragged hole
G Em C
And I ain't got the power anymore
C G
No I ain't got the power anymore
C
I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes
G
I'm living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny
C
I'm torn between the light and dark
G
Where others see their targets, divine symmetry
Eb
Should I kiss the viper's fang
F
Or herald loud the death of Man
G Em C
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
C G
And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE]
G D Em
Don't believe in yourself
A7 D
Don't deceive with belief
B7 Am
Knowledge comes with death's release
A7 G
Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaah
Em D
Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaaha
C
I'm not a prophet or a stoneage man
G
Just a mortal with potential of a superman, I'm living on
C
I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien
G
Can't take my eyes from the great salvation of bullshit faith
Eb
If I don't explain what you ought to know
F
You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo
G Em C
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
C G
And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE] X2
This would definitely work in the 90's or now even - hell he was soo far ahead of his time! and still is - god I wish he would tour again or do a new album - please, let the powers that be let his new fans hear and see him live!
I knew this song by the cover by J Mascis. He's not Neil Young, but a great disciple of him. He also knows quite well the David Bowie's discography from this period, so thanks to J for letting me know how great Bowie is!...
Vulnerable-thats the word!
I’ve been looking for this version for a while, glad I found it 🙏
I heard this version first (by hazard), so this one stays closer to my heart. Amazing poetical prowess.
La più bella canzone di bowie e la più bella versione dimostra tutto il suo talento interpretativo ed esecutivo
best version ever
Sometimes, you just can't improve the demo. This is so much more haunting. One of the saddest songs ever. It's just devastating.
I can't fight the tears. You are so lush
i downloaded this album a long time ago and for some reason the demo version of this song replaced the original song. i still prefer this version honestly
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn
Immersed in Crowley's uniform
Of imagery
I'm living in a silent film
Portraying
Himmler's sacred realm
Of dream reality
I'm frightened by the total goal
Drawing to the ragged hole
And I ain't got the power anymore
No I ain't got the power anymore
... mkultra victims around the world, and you adore this poor people, not looking through
I went forever thinking this was the original version.. so much cleaner sounding than the first take.
Love Love Love HIM
this was the first version Quicksand I'd heard and the only one I'd known for years. i'm glad to have found it again! is there an album that has this version on it?
+Chase de Languillette It looks like it was included as a bonus track on the pre-remastered, 1990 Hunky Dory CD.
Rykodisc remaster 1990 has 4 bonus tracks including this, The Supermen (alternate version), The Bewlay Brothers (alternate mix) and Bombers (previously unreleased) which you can find second hand online :)
oh-god-yes
Better than the album track
Ughh THIS version is the one for me. If I could have ever written a song...I would want it to sound like this. Bowie4ever.
“Don’t believe in yourself.”
Most people don’t realize how much the chords and melody Matters
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn
Immersed in Crowley's uniform
Of imagery
I'm living in a silent film
Portraying Himmler's sacred realm
Of dream reality
I'm frightened by the total goal
Drawing to the ragged hole
And I ain't got the power anymore
No, I ain't got the power anymore
I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes
Living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny
I'm torn between the light and dark
Where others see their targets, divine symmetry
Should I kiss the viper's fang?
Or herald loud the death of Man
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
And I ain't got the power anymore
Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah
I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man
Just a mortal with the potential of a superman
I'm living on
I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien
Can't take my eyes from the great salvation
Of bullshit faith
If I don't explain what you ought to know
You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
And I ain't got the power anymore
Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah
Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief
Knowledge comes with death's release
Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah
Ficou melhor q a versão oficial
Well I've just discovered this song thanks to Jeff C.. And I'm glad I did!
I thin he sounds like Neil Young in this song.
The song is actually a tribute to Neil! This album is full of tributes such as Neil Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol and that's why it's one of my favorites.
Wow this sounds like Bowie trying to be Neil young. I wonder if Neil ever covered this.
Neil doesn't have the power
This is too spacey and abstract to be Neil Young if you ask me.
The guitar he is playing is tuned a full step down.
I don't tune my guitar down, but if you put a capo on the third fret the chords are:
G
C
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn
G
Immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery
C
I'm living in a silent film
G
Portraying Himmler's sacred realm of dream reality
Eb F
I'm frightened by the total goal, drawing to the ragged hole
G Em C
And I ain't got the power anymore
C G
No I ain't got the power anymore
C
I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes
G
I'm living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny
C
I'm torn between the light and dark
G
Where others see their targets, divine symmetry
Eb
Should I kiss the viper's fang
F
Or herald loud the death of Man
G Em C
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
C G
And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE]
G D Em
Don't believe in yourself
A7 D
Don't deceive with belief
B7 Am
Knowledge comes with death's release
A7 G
Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaah
Em D
Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaaha
C
I'm not a prophet or a stoneage man
G
Just a mortal with potential of a superman, I'm living on
C
I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien
G
Can't take my eyes from the great salvation of bullshit faith
Eb
If I don't explain what you ought to know
F
You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo
G Em C
I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought
C G
And I ain't got the power anymore
[BRIDGE] X2
RIP
This could perfectly soundtrack both a carefree love affair and a tragic suicide
J'adore cette version
Beaucoup plus sensible
Much prefer this to the later album version.
2:02 god DAm
This demo is so perfect it renders the album version unnecessary. imo.
Guitar sounds like hey hey my my a little bit.
Nothing that Bowie does is bad, but I like the Hunky Dory version. Not sure he is in his best voice on this one - yes, its a great demo, but I like the studio version.
wale
What chord is on the word power? D6?
This is very cool to hear, but I don't get this "best version" thing. The album version is so intimate and beautiful
Fukin mint Mon,check out wood2goods on facebook for custom guitars by me inspired by genius like this
Fukkk..................man.