Many David Bowie songs often seem to clash in terms of style. Bowie is renowned for his chameleon-like ability to change his look and sound to reflect current trends. He has released songs influenced by many different genres, from soul to heavy metal.
Bowie, born David Jones in 1947, has had a long and distinguished career in the world of rock. He has experienced many successes and failures in his music, but keeps his work constantly evolving. He has released over 25 albums in his career and has worked as a stage actor, movie actor, singer, songwriter, musician and music producer.
"Space Oddity" (1969)
This was Bowie's first big hit song. The lyrics were about an astronaut lost in space, but the tune was so perfect that Britain used the song to accompany the TV broadcast of the US moon landing. The exposure turned the song into a hit, but it was a short-lived success for Bowie.
"Starman" (1972)
"Starman" was one of the many hits from Bowie's 1972 conceptual album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust. The elegant, electronic song tells the story about an alien savoir that descends to Earth to help comfort and inspire hope in humans.
"Fame" (1975)
A cut from the 1975 Young Americans album, "Fame" was inspired by a jam session Bowie had with John Lennon. The soul-inspired song was huge in the US, though it was only somewhat popular in the UK. The tune has been remixed and rereleased on many Bowie albums since its initial release.
"Under Pressure" (1981)
"Under Pressure" was Bowie's first released collaboration with another band. Bowie and the popular rock band Queen, originally met to collaborate on another song, but ended up writing and recording Under Pressure instead. The song was released on Queen's 1982 album, Hot Space.
"Let's Dance" (1983)
"Let's Dance," from the 1983 album of the same name, was Bowie's biggest commercial success. The catchy song set Bowie's metal influence aside and followed a more "mainstream" sound. A line in the song, "Let's sway, under the moonlight, this serious moonlight," inspired Bowie to name his tour for the album Serious Moonlight.
"Jump They Say" (1993)
"Jump They Say," from the 1993 album Black Tie White Noise, was another top ten hit for Bowie. The jazz-influenced tune was a deeply personal song that expressed Bowie's emotions for his schizophrenic half-brother who had committed suicide in 1985.
I'm Afraid of Americans (1997)
A surprise hit from Bowie's 1997 album, Earthling, "I'm Afraid of Americans" made a splash when a remixed single released in the US became a hit. The remix was done by Nine Inch Nails founder, Trent Reznor and drum/bass artist Photek.
References
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000309/bio
http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/612:191/1/David_Bowie.htm
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