David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
Here's another rabbit hole. He has so many good songs, here's some more: The Man Who Sold the World Changes Suffragette City The Jean Genie Fame Golden Years Heroes Ashes to Ashes Let's Dance
With everyone else's permission i shall add some more awesome ones to the list: Starman Young Americans Life on Mars Quicksand Five Years Queen Bitch Oh, you Pretty Thing! I feel like there are more someone help me out😣
Ashes to ashes is the sequel of the song and after that yes later a guy from Germany make a song base on the the story of Major Tom ( and D Bowie her the Song and says : he Love the way he end the Story of Mayor tom .) Peter Schiling.
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
When I was six years old, I walked into my mother's room and this was on the television. The next day I drew my first recognizable portrait - of David Bowie. I'm a professional artist now. :D His music reaches people of all ages and walks of life, for sure.
Lolol. They sure did and we loved it and him 😄. I remember seeing him for the first time when I was about 10-11on Don Kirschners Rock Concert show so 72’ or 73’. I was immediately drawn in and have never looked back. Still can’t believe he’s gone. RIP 🙏🏻🙂. And deep and abiding thanks 😌❤️
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
David Bowie, to say the least, was an "outlier" to the human race (if you understand that word). I was always amused when he appeared in the movie The Man Who Fell To Earth where he played an alien. The amusing part is he already seemed quite alien. I also noticed you saying you hadn't seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. You really owe to yourself to see that particular movie, because there are many references to it in everyday life (even today), not to mention it was a totally ground-breaking movie at the time and even today. There are parts of it that are "very deep". Frankly, the last 15 minutes of the movie need to be researched to understand the meaning (maybe just after viewing the movie). The only place that I quickly found where the original movie can be viewed without doing some sort of "special" download (etc) is Netflix DVD. I actually just moved it closer to the top of my Netflix DVD list. I originally saw the movie in 1968 (in the theater) and elements of it are still active in my mind. It is worth the trouble to see it. Some of the scenes are soooooooo cool. Of course I must warn you this is coming from a former engineer, although 2001 was released before any of that schooling. :>) I hope you do work out a way to see the original 2001 movie. Good luck and as the saying goes "be good to each other", which I'm pretty sure you'll recognize.
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
Really dig your interpretation of songs and your music history. You've covered a lot of territory so far on your channel. Keep up the good work and keep your tin can floating on a steady course.
Oh Ziggy. I was asking myself where is all the Bowie? And assumed it was all blocked. Bowie fans are legendary. It is now about to hit. He was a genius. Life on Mars if I was forced to choose just one. Forever missed.
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully... The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂 I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found: 'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")' (This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎 Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
I love, love, love your reactions!!! You dig deep into the lyrics, and you GET IT!!! "Planet earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do..." You understood that lyric perfectly.
The thing with Bowie is that every album sounds different from another; his style changes between each one. You could (and should) go down this rabbit hole for a long time. ;) Try Diamond Dogs and Hang On To Yourself.
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
My great Uncle Buford Jones is a world famous sound engineer who mixed Bowie's live sound for years. The day after Bowie passed away this was his post on FB. In or around 1973 upon returning from touring with Skynyrd and ZZ Top (my rock roots), Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I said "maybe"..... Showco said "oh yes you will!"......"OK!. A couple of weeks later, I found myself terrified being introduced to David in his dressing room. He welcomed me so kindly and sincere where I began work with the friendliest , most caring, abundantly and uniquely talented person I would ever meet! I thank you again David for the many tours, smiles and laughs that followed with you trusting your sound to me! A privilege and an honor that shaped my career forever. I thank you for the countless wonderful memories including jammimg on guitars one night! God Bless You David and your family and may you rest in blissful peace!
Hi Jamel, im a minner from Chile and I have always been indentify by this song. When you go far from your home for money or passion some times you felt this way man. Thnx for all your reaction.
Watch Bowie in "The Man That Fell To Earth". He's an alien that is trying to save his own planet and comes here. It was made in 1976. There's things like OLED screens and other technologies that don't exist for decades.
cspringer333 when I was living in NM, I apprenticed to become a live sound engineer. The spot where he actually falls to earth is on the property of the guy I was apprenticing with.
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
Nice one Jamel! This had a Beatles in space vibe when I first heard it. I love Bowies diversity and artistry. When you listen to his song Lets Dance, he takes you on a whole other journey.
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Yeah - Madonna tried a decade after Bowie. And though she was clever at shifting her image & visual asthetic, she never wrote material that could stand up to Bowie's music and lyrics. He was a true original. Brilliant.
@@mwfmtnman agreed but you gotta look at the influence Sly Stone and Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and P Funk had on Prince .. Sly Stone is the father of psychedelic funk, James Brown is the father of soul and jazz funk .. James Brown had influence over all of the above ... I love Herbie Hancock also but he started out in Jazz with Donald Byrd and Miles Davis and was later influenced by all of the above .. Hahaha I love funk so I could go on and on .. Disco came along then and played older funk songs from GAP band and so many others .. early MTV really made GAP Band and other older bands come back to life post 1970s .. I'm so-so about most Disco. When Micheal Jackson came along I was never super impressed because he just copied the other artists I'd heard for years before .. Micheal Jackson was not really a pop musician, if you listen to his music from Thriller forward he mixed Rock n Roll and a lot of styles together .. In Rock n Roll, The Stones and RHCP really tried to live up to these foremention originals of the 60/70s. I hate MTV btw lol ..
Finally listened to this highly heralded work of David Bowie. WOW. What a voice. What a production. Yep, tears here.I wish he had his guitar out there in space with him.
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
Bowie was probably one of the most unique entertainers to ever live.....always unique, always changing, & always brilliant!!! Some other suggestions for Bowie, it Let's dance, & Fame, both are very funky & bring out his amazing vocals!!!
It's a "double entendre", and you're a double genius, and that's why we love you Jamel :-)
Did I Get it Right✌🏾🧔🏾✌🏾
@@jamelakajamal It's pronounced (on - tahn - dra)
Usually one of the two meanings in double entendre is sexual.
@@JimDorman Just the tip?
@@JimDorman She asked me for a double entendre so I gave her one.
"It's like him and Freddie Mercury could be distant cousins or something..."
* Under Pressure starts playing in the background *
You’re discovering also why Bowie’s death hit so many of us so hard. He really was the peak genius of rock.
Thank you!
Exactly!I I cried like a baby when he died.
It really did hit me. I didn't realize what kind of effect he'd had on me.
Am I the only one who gets a little teary eyed when listening to this?
No 😂The “though I’m past 100,000 miles” bit and “tell my wife I love her very much, she knows.” Every time...😢
No. And this is what I listened to over and over after I heard he’d died which made it even more emotional.
No
I just did get teary eyed and I'm from back in the day
nope it gets me every time
David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Suffragette City was my perennial favorite, wore out the vinyl
Agree Rise and fall my first album five years I could listen to all day
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
@@markdunn1464 Ditto!!!!!
People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
Well said. Thanks for sharing that.
I agree.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
Bob Riemersma Bowie said it was inspired by seeing 2001 A Space Oddessy (Arthur C Clarke)
Well spoken
He loved playing games with people as to what he meant, especially of they came up with an interpretation that he didn't expect or intend.
The world hasn't been the same since David Bowie left us...RIP Goblin King 😭
Labyrinth has one of the best original soundtracks ever made. I still listen to it a couple of times a year.
Oh I know I cried my eyes out when I heard bout his passing there will never be anyone else like him so greatly missed RIP Goblin King rest easy
He didn’t die, he went home.
@Michelle - true. The mothership called him up.
My favorite Bowie movie Labyrinth he played Jared the goblin king.
Bowie was not just a fantastic musician, but a true artist with genius and intelligence. We miss you, Star Man.
48 Years old, this song. Still sounding fresh as ever. And Bowie.. he'll never stop being a hero of mine.
51 years
@@ricardo_miguel13 You are right. Don't know where the 1972 came from.
@@avanoosterhout8397 The film was shot in 1972 probably..
@@ricardo_miguel13 there was a film from 69 where he doesnt have dyed hair--exc vid with the space stuff
52, agreed brother!
I STILL GET CHILLS WHEN HE SAYS 'YOUR CIRCUITS DEAD, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG'
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
I used to think he sang "your circuit said there's something wrong". It made enough sense that I never realized I was mis-hearing the words.
Same
I feel like everyone must get chills at that part
Will never forget where I was the morning I learned that David Bowie died. I broke down and cried. 😔
Same here. Unfortunately I was at work.
We all did. I felt my heart break. How could the world exist without him?
I fell to my knees, he was a brother.
A lot of us did.
still making me tear up...
I burst into tears watching this. It’s like David’s spirit singing to us. We are blue, we miss him! God bless his beautiful ethereal soul❤️
Bowie and Bing Crosby sang a masterpiece together. "Little Drummer Boy". Christmas wouldn't feel right without it.
Seriously the only Christmas song I get excited to hear!
Yes, a true masterpiece.
Love that!!!
Best Christmas song
YES!!!!! My favorite!!!
He made the stunning video 'Lazarus' as he knew he was dying. What a genius - what a loss.
Lazarus really pushes my understanding of grief. Like, it's really captivating to see someone grieve their own death.
Please, react to this!
I couldn't listen to anything from Lazarus for about 2 years. It hurt so much when he passed.
OH MY GOD I want to see this reaction.
Starman, Golden Years, Ashes to Ashes, Heroes.....he is beyond.
Definitely Ashes to Ashes, the follow up to this song.
D Mac Ashes to Ashes is maybe my favorite Bowie song. Jamal definitely needs to listen to it
I can do without Golden Years.
Beyond beyond! The Best!
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
It's awesome =)
I loved it and it freaked me out in equal measure 😂😂😂
he was a chameleon, he adapted to every generation of music
Every generation of music adapted to him
a chameleon blends in, Bowie was the trendsetter, ahead of the curve of all genres or music.
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
I came here to recommend under pressure also
Me too!
Oops... Jamel already reacted to Under Pressure with Bowie. It's under the Queen playlist!
ua-cam.com/video/zkidtw2KxFk/v-deo.html
Above is the link to Queen/Bowie Under Pressure reaction.
"Young Americans" will knock your socks off.
That or Fame
Absolute must!
A better one is "I'm Afraid of Americans".
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
With vocal arrangements by Luther Vandross.
One of the best songs ever written. David Bowie has hundreds of great songs.
Check Bowie out singing Under Pressure with Freddie Mercury, great duet.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
David Bowie was such an impressive talent, that Bing Crosby did a duet with him on his 1977 Christmas special. They did Little Drummer Boy. 😎
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
Love that song Kaye!! 😃❤️
That was awesome when I was a kid too!
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
Here's another rabbit hole. He has so many good songs, here's some more:
The Man Who Sold the World
Changes
Suffragette City
The Jean Genie
Fame
Golden Years
Heroes
Ashes to Ashes
Let's Dance
All good suggestions!
Golden Years was in the movie A Knights Tale with Heath Ledger
Don't forget Life on Mars ua-cam.com/video/THz5x0dS5fc/v-deo.html
Add Starman to that list and maybe wild eyed boy from free cloud and you got me
With everyone else's permission i shall add some more awesome ones to the list:
Starman
Young Americans
Life on Mars
Quicksand
Five Years
Queen Bitch
Oh, you Pretty Thing!
I feel like there are more someone help me out😣
David was a perfectionist at everything he did, sang, right down to his shoes . Man had a style of his own. That's why we love him .....✌🧡
“Ashes to Ashes:” The sequel to “Space Oddity.”
Beat me to it. It should definitely come next.
Was going to post that too.. Jamal should definitely check out "Ashes to Ashes".. The Scary Monsters album is just superb..
An incredible song.
And "Blackstar". A sideways 3rd part of the Trilogy.
Ashes to ashes is the sequel of the song and after that yes later a guy from Germany make a song base on the the story of Major Tom ( and D Bowie her the Song and says : he Love the way he end the Story of Mayor tom .) Peter Schiling.
It seems like you may've missed the point, brother: Major Tom gave himself for space exploration; he didn't come back.
So was Ashes To Ashes about pre flight Major Tom then? Or about what the press discovered about Major Tom after he passed on?
Major Tom is about Bowie's alter ego which is addicted to drugs
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
The beautiful thing about music is you can interpret it any way you like
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
Chris Hadfield a Canadian astronaut does a cover of this on the actual international Space Station it's an amazing video.
saw that just this week - it was a pretty good cover - and amazing video...
I saw it the day we learned Bowie died. It was amazing
ua-cam.com/video/KaOC9danxNo/v-deo.html
He’s not sad because he’s lost in space, he’s sad because he has to come home!
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
Only David would do an album on his deathbed, utterly unique
Warren Zevon did the same.
@@brucedillinger9448 And Freddie Mercury.
and Johnny Cash.
Loved his song "Golden Years" and "I'm Afraid of Americans"...
"I'm Afraid of Americans" freaking rocks!
"I'm Afraid of Americans" is great, would be great to see Jamel react to that!
The Jean Genie is a great David Bowie song!
Suffragette City is just a stone cold classic. The Man Who Sold the World for atmosphere and a ton of influence (particularly on the grunge movement)
Suffragette City is a must
Wham bam thank you ma'am!
Maybe a comparison of Man Who Sold The World David & Nirvana.
One of my favorite movies-David Bowie in " The Man Who Fell To Earth " 1976
Great movie, I enjoyed him in Labyrinth as well
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
OMG, he started on Bowie. Down the rabbit hole we go.
And yeah, Bowie and Freddie have performed/recorded together.
David Bowie "Life on Mars" is a most.
Now take yourself back 50 years and imagine how odd Bowie looks.
When I was six years old, I walked into my mother's room and this was on the television. The next day I drew my first recognizable portrait - of David Bowie. I'm a professional artist now. :D His music reaches people of all ages and walks of life, for sure.
His song Let's Dance is damn good, great groove and Stevie Ray Vaughan plays the guitar solo in it.
David Bowie is such a legend......Try Fame, love that song.
Also loved that John Lennon was his backup singer.
Jeff Brisson love this song
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury plus Mick Jagger were three of the most flamboyant artists! Love em all! ❤️
in his early years like this, bowie always had bizarre looks...can u imagine him in about 1973?? parents freaked the fuck OUT!!
Lolol. They sure did and we loved it and him 😄. I remember seeing him for the first time when I was about 10-11on Don Kirschners Rock Concert show so 72’ or 73’. I was immediately drawn in and have never looked back. Still can’t believe he’s gone. RIP 🙏🏻🙂. And deep and abiding thanks 😌❤️
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
Bowie from the 80's... "Let's Dance" "Modern Love" are great tunes..!
Listen for SRV's distinctive guitar in "Let's Dance"
I agree. Niles Rodgers producer of that album. Bowie's 70's stuff was great... Like the song: Fame.
@@maryscaggsdane1978 Really??? I didn't know that.
@@2869may go give it a spin ... video shows Bowie, but your ears will know it when you hear it! (Wiki it if you're still too shocked to believe it!) 😉
With Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar, the entire "Let's Dance" album kicks some major ass!
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
“Heroes” is one of his best ... and always poignant.
Insane D his performance of “Heroes” opening the 9/11 concert at MSG was epic
David Bowie- "I'm Afraid Of Americans"...a track he did with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails...it's amazing
Any of his "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" period Is excellent.
My favorite album. The CD with the two bonus tracks of this one and Ziggy as demos recorded acoustically is a must.
@@danieljodrey709 Agreed!3⚡⚡⚡
The harmonies though. The look is a persona Ziggy Stardust. Stevie Ray Vaughn was in Bowies Touring band for his Glass Spiders Tour
Nope, it was Carlos Alomar and Pete Frampton that played guitar on the Glas Spider tour. Stevie Ray Vaughn played on the Lets Dance album though.
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
I recommend: "Under Pressure" - Freddy Mercury and David Bowie
Dubbed duet... very cool...
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
the Music Vid is the best one. i also recommend it
I thought he already had, but I think it's just Freddie and Queen live at Wembley.
You obviously didn't listen to him....
Imagine growing up with music like this and Pink Floyd.
I'm fortunate to say that I don't have to imagine it.
I did it.
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
I'm not too far from it, but it tok my BIL to introduce me to Floyd and Bowie came around later.
Me too. I bought Aladdin Sane and was just blown away but then heard Ziggy ...OMG what an album
Wish I knew just how freakin' good those good ole days were then.
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
David Bowie, to say the least, was an "outlier" to the human race (if you understand that word). I was always amused when he appeared in the movie The Man Who Fell To Earth where he played an alien. The amusing part is he already seemed quite alien. I also noticed you saying you hadn't seen the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. You really owe to yourself to see that particular movie, because there are many references to it in everyday life (even today), not to mention it was a totally ground-breaking movie at the time and even today. There are parts of it that are "very deep". Frankly, the last 15 minutes of the movie need to be researched to understand the meaning (maybe just after viewing the movie). The only place that I quickly found where the original movie can be viewed without doing some sort of "special" download (etc) is Netflix DVD. I actually just moved it closer to the top of my Netflix DVD list. I originally saw the movie in 1968 (in the theater) and elements of it are still active in my mind. It is worth the trouble to see it. Some of the scenes are soooooooo cool. Of course I must warn you this is coming from a former engineer, although 2001 was released before any of that schooling. :>) I hope you do work out a way to see the original 2001 movie. Good luck and as the saying goes "be good to each other", which I'm pretty sure you'll recognize.
Dave, I'm scared.
Don't worry HAL.
A cinematic visual symphony
Yes Jamel PLEASE do yourself a favor and watch 2001. It is an experience.
"That look he has... y'know?" chuckle. By the way they got a message from the Action Man: "I'm happy, hope you're happy too"
Ground control to Major Jamel, commencing Final Countdown, engines on. Check out Starman and may God's love be with you.
And to complete the Tom story, there's Blackstar, which is an experience in itself.
A very young Rick Wakeman on Mellotron adds that "spacey" feel to this song.
Who knew? Way cool info!
…and a Stylophone.
Piano on Life on Mars, too...
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
This song still give me chills. Takes me back to my Junior High days.....good times. 70s ruled!
Do Bowie's "Life On Mars."
Mickie Mouse has grown up a cow...
vonVile loved the US version of the TV series.
@@theubercaste UK version is way better.
vonVile the TV show? I liked the US version.
Bowie was such an exceptional artist. 💝
I love how thoughtful you are in your reactions, and how much you appreciate the musicianship of the artists. Lovely.
This is my all time favorite David Bowie song. Thank you for doing this, Jamel! Stay safe & stay strong 💜💜
An absolute classic - great use of the Mellotron too The Mellotron on this track was played by Rick Wakeman
Haunting and cool
Really dig your interpretation of songs and your music history. You've covered a lot of territory so far on your channel. Keep up the good work and keep your tin can floating on a steady course.
The genius of David Bowie can’t be overstated. His body it work proves it over and over.
Oh Ziggy. I was asking myself where is all the Bowie? And assumed it was all blocked. Bowie fans are legendary. It is now about to hit. He was a genius. Life on Mars if I was forced to choose just one. Forever missed.
Incredible talent!!! I’m so glad Jamel is getting to Bowie!!
Yes, Bowie makes you feel like you are floating "in a most peculiar way" 😃
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
One of the only UA-cam reactors who atually pays attention to and respects the music. Thanks J
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
One of my top five albums!
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
Arcrum42 even more impressive when, according to trevor bolder and woody woodmansey, every track was recorded in one take.
Every song on that album is brilliant.
"off course the earth is blue, but he's talking about this blue as in sadness". wow! I've never thought about it that way. great insight!
Blue planet
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
The reactions give us insights us fans may never have seen... thanks Jamel!
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully...
The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂
I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found:
'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")'
(This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎
Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
I love, love, love your reactions!!! You dig deep into the lyrics, and you GET IT!!! "Planet earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do..." You understood that lyric perfectly.
You oughtta check his songs "I'm Afraid of Americans" and his last video "Black Star" RIP Bowie
I loved his last album. It was a beautiful goodbye with a lot of love. He’s a star up there.
Lazarus was his last vid. It was heartbreaking as he visibly looks like he was in pain.
The thing with Bowie is that every album sounds different from another; his style changes between each one. You could (and should) go down this rabbit hole for a long time. ;) Try Diamond Dogs and Hang On To Yourself.
Diamond Dogs is probably my favorite of his albums
No one could reinvent himself like Bowie.
And Hunky Dory!
Yeah, he has mastered so many different sounds! @Cami Castle me too, love that folky album Hunky Dory!
@@DaP84 Absolutely! What's not to love? Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, Life On Mars?, Kooks, Fill Your Heart. Good tunes!
Jamel, I love your energy and positivity and I really enjoy experiencing music with you. Keep up the good work!
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
The songs sequel is "Ashes to Ashes".
Yes, Jamel should check that out too, and further along we have Blackstar which took the theme further, just before he died x
And then Peter Schillings', "Major Tom."
How about Peter Schilling's "Major Tom", does it count?
...and the next sequel is 'Hello Spaceboy'.
A prequel actually, Space Oddity came out in 1968 off the same titled album, Ashes To Ashes was off of Scary Monsters in 1979.
Under Pressure great collaboration with Bowie & Mercury
He did it: ua-cam.com/video/zkidtw2KxFk/v-deo.html
My great Uncle Buford Jones is a world famous sound engineer who mixed Bowie's live sound for years. The day after Bowie passed away this was his post on FB.
In or around 1973 upon returning from touring with Skynyrd and ZZ Top (my rock roots), Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I said "maybe"..... Showco said "oh yes you will!"......"OK!. A couple of weeks later, I found myself terrified being introduced to David in his dressing room. He welcomed me so kindly and sincere where I began work with the friendliest , most caring, abundantly and uniquely talented person I would ever meet! I thank you again David for the many tours, smiles and laughs that followed with you trusting your sound to me! A privilege and an honor that shaped my career forever. I thank you for the countless wonderful memories including jammimg on guitars one night! God Bless You David and your family and may you rest in blissful peace!
Hi Jamel, im a minner from Chile and I have always been indentify by this song. When you go far from your home for money or passion some times you felt this way man. Thnx for all your reaction.
Watch Bowie in "The Man That Fell To Earth". He's an alien that is trying to save his own planet and comes here. It was made in 1976. There's things like OLED screens and other technologies that don't exist for decades.
cspringer333 when I was living in NM, I apprenticed to become a live sound engineer. The spot where he actually falls to earth is on the property of the guy I was apprenticing with.
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
Thanks for posting this reaction! Love him!
This song and Heroes are spine chilling. We miss him.
Now go check out the song Major Tom by Peter Schilling.
German or English? (I prefer the original German, but the English version is excellent, too)
Mary Scaggs Dane, the English version is the only one I’m familiar with. Was a favorite when I was a kid. I’ll have to hear the German version.
“”Major Tom (Coming Home)”
@@maryscaggsdane1978 the German version for sure 👍🏻
Love that song but the chorus'melody almost feels like a Christmas Carol melody, at least the English version.
Check out astronaut Chris Hadfield doing this aboard the ISS.
That was epic. Thanks. I hope Jamel sees that.
I was going to comment the same thing. David Bowie loved Hadfield's rendition too
You beat me saying the same thing. If I am not mistaken its really the first music video that has been fully filmed in the ISS
@@corran950 I think you're right. And yes, ArmchairGravy beat me to it.
Love that one
Nice one Jamel! This had a Beatles in space vibe when I first heard it. I love Bowies diversity and artistry. When you listen to his song Lets Dance, he takes you on a whole other journey.
Always love love love your reactions....to anything!!!
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Perish the thought of Vanilla Ice. Every time I forget that idiot, someone reminds me of that moron.
Since you make the Freddie Mercury comment, if you haven't listened to Queen/Bowie's "Under Pressure" you definitely should!
I agree...You should for real take a listen to Under Pressure" if you haven't...
He has 🙂
@@maryscaggsdane1978 Good to know.
Ice Ice Baby.....
@@michaelshelton5488 nnnooooooo!!! ;-)
This is such a brilliant song on so many levels! Thanks Jamel
I think the word you're looking for is "ethereal"...heavenly or celestial; of or relating to the upper reaches of space.
First style maker in Rock n Roll, nobody ever caught up to all his evolutions in style. Did anyone dare try?
Yeah - Madonna tried a decade after Bowie. And though she was clever at shifting her image & visual asthetic, she never wrote material that could stand up to Bowie's music and lyrics. He was a true original. Brilliant.
I would say Prince came closest
@@mwfmtnman agreed but you gotta look at the influence Sly Stone and Bootsy Collins, George Clinton and P Funk had on Prince .. Sly Stone is the father of psychedelic funk, James Brown is the father of soul and jazz funk .. James Brown had influence over all of the above ... I love Herbie Hancock also but he started out in Jazz with Donald Byrd and Miles Davis and was later influenced by all of the above .. Hahaha I love funk so I could go on and on .. Disco came along then and played older funk songs from GAP band and so many others .. early MTV really made GAP Band and other older bands come back to life post 1970s .. I'm so-so about most Disco. When Micheal Jackson came along I was never super impressed because he just copied the other artists I'd heard for years before .. Micheal Jackson was not really a pop musician, if you listen to his music from Thriller forward he mixed Rock n Roll and a lot of styles together .. In Rock n Roll, The Stones and RHCP really tried to live up to these foremention originals of the 60/70s. I hate MTV btw lol ..
Bryan Ferry
David Bowie is an incredible artist....he re-invented himself and his music time and time again over the years...and all of it is AMAZING!!!!!
Finally listened to this highly heralded work of David Bowie. WOW. What a voice. What a production. Yep, tears here.I wish he had his guitar out there in space with him.
Jamal you are the most genuine and articulate reactors on the tube. Truly a joy to watch you discover the heart in classics.
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
history will be kind to him..... as big to the 70's as dylan was to the 60s.
You should check out Bowie's "Life on Mars," "Changes," and "Heroes." He has so many great hits!!
He did a reaction to Heroes.
David Bowie was an amazing artist. Glad you are getting to know him.
Bowie was probably one of the most unique entertainers to ever live.....always unique, always changing, & always brilliant!!! Some other suggestions for Bowie, it Let's dance, & Fame, both are very funky & bring out his amazing vocals!!!