David Bowie was a chameleon, always changing and innovating and yes he can sing. He was my first concert experience at 13 and it was fantastic. He has a huge catalog of great music that is very diverse.

Such a classic. David could ALWAYS saaang: check out his version of "Wild Is the Wind"!! Epic.

So totally awesome! Rick Wakeman on piano & the BRILLIANT Mick Ronson on Guitar & arrangement. He was the true genius of the Bowie sound..

Bowie was a genre unto himself. Greatest art-pop-cabaret song ever.

Every song on Hunky Dory is a gem. This is his last album as a long-haired folk rocker, the last album before the personas became his signature. The song "Changes" from this record, one of his biggest early hits, presages all that was to follow.

My favorite Bowie song. I’m so glad you guys liked it too. ❤

One of my absolute fav Bowie tracks. Pure genius

His duet with Bing Crosby...he CAN SING

This song is deep on so many levels. David Bowie was a trendsetting legend for over 5 decades.

He was a true GENIUS/LEGEND!!! I was a lucky lady to have seen in concert…late 70’s at MSG! Miss you David!🙏💖🙏

One of my favorite, if not my favorite, tracks from Bowie. From songfacts: The lyricism is very abstract, though the basis of this song is about a girl who goes to watch a movie after an argument with her parents. The film ends with the line "Is there life on Mars?" Bowie has labeled the song "a sensitive young girl's reaction to the media" and added, "I think she finds herself disappointed with reality... that although she's living in the doldrums of reality, she's being told that there's a far greater life somewhere, and she's bitterly disappointed that she doesn't have access to it." The lyrics also contain imagery suggesting the futility of man's existence, a topic Bowie used frequently on his early albums. >> Bowie came up with this after he was asked to put English lyrics to a French song called "Comme d'habitude." Paul Anka ultimately bought the rights to the original French song and rewrote it in English as "My Way," later made famous by Frank Sinatra. "Life On Mars?" uses practically the same chords as "My Way" and the Hunky Dory linear notes state that the song is "inspired by Frankie." In 2008, Bowie recalled writing this song to the Mail on Sunday: "This song was so easy. Being young was easy. A really beautiful day in the park, sitting on the steps of the bandstand. 'Sailors bap-bap-bap-bap-baaa-bap.' An anomic (not a 'gnomic') heroine. Middle-class ecstasy. I took a walk to Beckenham High Street to catch a bus to Lewisham to buy shoes and shirts but couldn't get the riff out of my head. Jumped off two stops into the ride and more or less loped back to the house up on Southend Road. Workspace was a big empty room with a chaise lounge; a bargain-price art nouveau screen ('William Morris,' so I told anyone who asked); a huge overflowing freestanding ashtray and a grand piano. Little else. I started working it out on the piano and had the whole lyric and melody finished by late afternoon. Nice. Rick Wakeman [of prog band, Yes] came over a couple of weeks later and embellished the piano part and guitarist Mick Ronson created one of his first and best string parts for this song which now has become something of a fixture in my live shows."

This is from Hunky Dory '71-'72, the album before Ziggy (his break through album). Same backing band. It has a folk - rock feel in parts (lots of 12 string guitar) and influenced by Dylan. It is a block buster and regularly comes out on top of polling of fans. Personally, it competes with Station to Station as his best album, though ziggy is in the mix. P.S. Bowie is a wonderful vocalist!

Bowie's style changed pretty much every album, so you gotta listen to more of him to fully comprehend his genius. If you want another showcase of his singing skills, listen to the Sweet Thing suite!

1971 guys, from Hunky Dory album. Love your reaction! Every Bowie album is extremly different, he was a restless creative soul never staying in one spot for long, allways curious to explore new paths. There is no one like him, simply put

This is my favorite Bowie song. Love the arrangement & Bowie's voice. The man is an alien who we were lucky enough to bask in his presence for almost 70 years. This song is also the badus for an English cop show of the same name. This is early Bowie, but Bowie always changed it up about every 5 years. Don't pay attention to the haters, Bowie can sing, but he does have songs where he is more into the art than sounding like a brilliant singer.

Arguably the greatest artist of all time. PERIOD.. YOU ARE SORELY MISSED.MR.JONES. A fearless rebel and pioneer ...Musically and culturally.

I love this song! Every bar is a chromatic transfer. And the lyrics moves me. And the video has recorders!

I love that David mentions the Norfolk Broads, where I was born.

Listen to Wild is the wind ..then you know he can truly sing !

My favorite Bowie song by far!

Rick Wakeman, from the band, YES, did the keyboard/piano on this album. He said in an interview that when Bowie played him this song on an acoustic guitar, Wakeman said to him, that is the greatest song I've ever heard [i'm paraphrasing there].

Don't forget about his guitarist Mick Ronson, one of the most underrated guitar players ever. The guy ripped!

🤩 The StarMan! 🤗 Watching him perform was like watching Freddie. 😍 The command he had over an audience was unreal. 😵‍💫 We all became transfixed & mesmerized from the moment he waltzed on stage. 🤔 This is a hard song to sing because you are literally harmonizing, yet singing in the same key somewhat. But its 1 of my favorites. 🥰🐰

He has so many great songs it's hard to pick a few! I like Panic in Detroit, anything from Ziggy Stardust, Ashes to Ashes, Wild is the Wind, China Girl. I can go on and on.

If you want to hear some more Bowie with amazing vocals I recommend "Word on a Wing" or "Lady Grinning Soul". If you want to get back to some funky Bowie then I recommend "Station to Station" or "Fashion". If you want to get back to some hard rock Bowie I recommend listening to "The Jean Jeanie" or "Cracked Actor". But really you should react to the entire Ziggy Stardust album if you haven't done it yet. That's really the album that is one of the greatest ever made, represents his essence and the one that made him a star.

This is the epitome of art-rock.

Yes (before Yes) keyboardist Rick Wakeman was the pianist on this masterpiece.

It seems Bowie can sing; Who knew?! Me: He has a great, great, great, great voice. I really enjoy your videos comrades. Brilliant song this Rick Wakeman's piano and the orchestral pieces are gorgeous. He has a UK No 1 hit with this 3 years later on in the beginning of Bowie mania (UK version). Got to give respect to the person who dug it out as his next single, from the archives. I'm exactly the right age to be a Bowie nutter. I'd do him as a specialist subject on Mastermind. 2nd round. I anticipate coasting to victory in the first round with Steely Dan,

More than any other song, the one I hope you do most is the title track from "Station to Station." It is absolutely epic. So musically adventurous & filled with great lyrics.

I love this song- always have!

The greatest of all time, Fell in love with him at age 13. I am now 63. Never a dull moment or repetitiveness. A genius. His range is off the charts. Listen to Lady Grinning Soul.

I have loved Bowie since '73, one of my first LPs was Aladdin Sane, my favorite song is Time, I am lucky to have seen Bowie live on almost all of his tours

such a great song

Yes bowie can SING. and yes he changed often…but he didn’t (usually) just do what was happening at the time. He often dictated what was happening at the time. His voice definitely changed…noticeably around Diamond Dogs it started getting deeper. Anyway, you want to hear some masterful bowie vocals….Lady Grinning Soul, Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet thing, Wild is the Wind, Fantastic Voyage. I always tell those new to bowie that they should start at the beginning and listen chronologically so you get the full effect of how he constantly changed and moved…

'The Man Who Sold The World' album is also a masterpiece.

As others said.. Wild Is The Wind.. magnificent vocals.. truly

Yes, this is very early, but the band, for the most part, is the Spiders From Mars, with notable piano work by Rick Wakeman of Yes. His vocal style changes with each album, I think much of his best work was on Hunky Dory and Space Oddity. Keep listening, Bowie was a true master, and he attracted other great musicians to his stuio recording sessions. This song, by itself, the basic theme and lyrics, was great. Rick Wakeman found a way to make the great even greater!

This is a great period of Bowie!!!

YOU GUYS SHOULD DO THE ( BING CROSBY / DAVID BOWIE ) CHRISTMAS VIDEO CLIP 😊 BUT YEAH, BOWIE WAS AWESOME AND LIKE I'VE SAID HIM AND ELTON WERE ON TOPPPPP OF THE ROCK WORLD IN THAT ( 71-75 ) BLOCK👍, CONCERTS, CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, ETC ETC, ESPECIALLYYYY ELTON OF COURSE!😊 AND DAVID HAD HIS OWN CHARACTERS THAT HE PLAYED IN CONCERT, R.I.P. ☹ TO A MUSICAL GENIUS AND A GREAT ROCK LEGEND! 💯

You guys should watch the concert video of Bowie's "Serious Moonlight" tour. It's the best live concert I've ever seen.

This is 1971. He does whatever is going on - that's right. Mostly, he was doing it before it was going on. A trend SETTER!

'Young Americans' will bring you back even more brother x

Great reaction, guys! Although, truth be told, I can't help but notice the Traffic album cover on the wall behind you, and I'm really really hoping to hear some reactions from Shoot Out At The Fantasy Factory... "Tragic Magic" is an AMAZING funky song from that album. And "Roll Right Stones" is just about as epic as "Low Spark of High Heel Boys" is...... ( nudge nudge wink wink...)😁✌

_Something in the air._

David Bowie’s music was constantly changing. In fact, with each change he’d also take on a whole new look and a whole new persona. Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Halloween Jack, The Thin White Duke and The Blind Prophet, were the names of his 5 major characters names.

You want to hear Bowie sing? Try "Word on a Wing" or "Wild is the Wind". Both on the album STATION TO STATION.

Hunky Dory is such a great album: other great Bowie songs from different eras: Starman, Young Americans, Fame, Ashes to Ashes

Cranking on the great stuff. As others have mentioned, it was Wakeman (from Yes) on the piano. Mick Ronson (Bowie’s guitarist) arranged the strings. It was his first time for string arrangement, and he admitted to being nervous as hell, handing it to the professional players from the London classical world. Later on, one of Wakeman’s friends recalled meeting him at a pub when he finished the session, talking about his recording with some guy named David Bowie, and thinking the album would be pretty good.

If I may suggest; “Sweet Thing, Candidate, Sweet Thing (reprise). Best version, imo, is on David Live at the Tower Theatre, Philadelphia. Instead of dueling guitar leads; how about guitar and saxophone? I think it came out in 1974. When he became the Thin White Duke. 🖖🍻

You guys got to do David Bowie live album his vocal range on that record is amazing, best of all Sweet Thing.

Bowie is the 20-sided dice of rock/pop/soul, etc. Just depends on the roll.

The piano in this song is an 1898 Bechstein, and it was the house piano at Trident Studios. Played by the famous keyboardist Rick Wakeman, this song is a true masterpiece - not the least of reasons being the wonderful cinematic string arrangement penned by no less than Mick Ronson. The same piano featured on Hey Jude by The Beatles, as well as You're So Vain by Carly Simon.

Some rate Bowie the best singer of the era,,,,Its a bit subtle sometimes but listen and notice he is doing the right job in the song ,

If I had to pick a favourite Bowie, this would be it. A pattern I've noticed with 70's musicians since KZfaq came along so you can see their old stuff; incredible creativity with kinda weird lyrics in their few albums. The lyrics settle down as they go big time but the musical edge is lost. Can't have it all!

Another great song/album (Hunky Dory) from 1971

Ya, Che, your face was like “What is this junk?” I’m with La, I was very worried you weren’t into this. 😂 This is one of his that grows on you even more with time.

Bowie based his singing on Anthony Newley, English actor singer, filmmaker

David Bowie a toujours été en avance sur son temps

Any songwriter will tell you that Bowie is virtually unparalleled in his inventiveness with the pop-rock idiom: his harmonic and melodic genius is on a par with McCartney, easily. Anything Bowie between about 1968-1980 is solid, but 68-75 (before the coke nearly killed him) are the absolute peak years of his songwriting creativity.

Epic Materpiece!

You should check out the song Black Star from his album, also called Black Star, released just after he died. You'll see a ledgend still doing it after 50+ years.

His vocals on Drive In Saturday off Aladin Sane definitely worth a listen. Hes always been a favorite for me

This was my childhood music,in my bedroom with a little record player that looked like a small briefcase.and my dad shouting at the bottom of the stairs shouting TURN IT DOWN,lol

I love your commentary guys, it's clear you are music lovers.

It's fairly early. It's from 1971. And that's Rick VVakeman on piano, before he joined Yes.

Yes! He can sing, mostly one takes in the studio and without 'autotune'. Seen him live twice.

I agree with Bro in the grey hoodie. This was very early Bowie.

Genius is an overused word but he had it in spades. So many great songs, so many changes of character and styles. Try my personal favourite "Heroes".

Brilliant record.

There is a great version of this song sung by none other than Barbra Streisand on her 1974 album Butterfly. I highly recommend it.

Mick Ronson on guitar nuff said this is back when Bowie was awesome. Mick Ronson joined up with Ian Hunter the lead vocalist from Mott the Hoople and the pair had some great albums together, Mick is one of the most underrated guitarist/composers there ever was in rock. RIP David and Ronno you are both missed.✌👍

Would love to see your reaction to a live video of Bowie’s Young Americans!

Finally! I have a few select songs I wait eagerly for my favorite reactors to cover! Life on Mars is one. This song is a masterpiece. Please check out his album Hunky Dory. It's my favorite Bowie album! Songs are phenomenal! I love early Bowie tunes! And you're right - he is a brilliant artist!

I never thought much of this song until my daughter when she was about 15yrs old explained to me what he was singing about, and the metaphors he was using...It took a child to make me appreciate what this art was about. She is so much smarter than I am.

The Hunky Dory album is unique, just like the Alien he was personifying in those days. If you like this, you'll love Kooks off the same album

In 1968, David Bowie's publisher David Platz was sharing a London office with another music publisher named Geoffrey Heath. One day, Heath arrived with a disc of the 1967 French song "Comme d'habitude", composed by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, and sung by François. Heath, , asked Platz for a songwriter to write English lyrics for "Comme d'habitude". Platz suggested Bowie, Bowie's translation, which was titled "Even a Fool Learns to Love". After Bowie recorded an unreleased demo of "Comme d'habitude" in February 1968, the song's French publishers rejected him, primarily due to his obscurity. Soon after, songwriter Paul Anka bought the rights to "Comme d'habitude" and rewrote it as "My Way", which was recorded and made famous by American singer Frank Sinatra in 1969. The success of "My Way" prompted Bowie to write "Life on Mars?" as a parody of Sinatra's recording. "That really made me angry for so long-for about a year ... eventually I thought, 'I can write something as big as that, and I'll write one that sounds a bit like it'." Bowie acknowledged "My Way’s influence in the liner notes for Hunky Dory, which state "Life on Mars?" was "inspired by Frankie". (Wiki)

Thank you to the Wizard Rick Wakeman for which Bowie asked would you like to join the band, Rick went on to join YES.. and Bowie years later said, aren't you glad you didn't?😊❤

RIP Shane Mcgowan

Ziggy ruled in that era of Bowie’s career. So innovative and interesting. This is when I become a fan. ✌🏼😎🇺🇸

This IS early Bowie. Off his 3rd album, "Hunky Dory." 1971. A year before he released "Ziggy Stardust," and became a rock superstar. "Mars" is considered by many, myself included, to be his best number. It grows on you.

This was right before his Ziggy Star dust era. His voice was young and high.

He had soo many great songs but my favourite is Moonage Daydream - a great showcase for Mick Ronson's guitar too

Reminds me of hanging in the Artemus in Philly in 73.

From his BIG breakthrough album, Hunky Dory 1971.... Pleeeeease!!! do the whole album, pay particular attention to the lyrics. Incredible stuff !!!

Hey guys, watch the documentary “ Five Years”! it helps you understand how David Bowie thinks when he creates music! he knew how each song was going to come out before he put one note to paper!🤯

I would suggest to this creative team of Airplay Beats that if they really like Life on Mars, they should also review Quicksand from the same Hunky Dory album. To this day I think it remains Bowie's most beautiful song he ever made.

For an even pretty early example of his great singing, check out the Ultimate Classic huge hit, Changes. I would additionally point out that I heard a story on the news today that the original scribbled lyrics on something for one of my favorite songs of his, also a hit, suffragette city, was going to go on the market today, and by today's prices not all that crazy, but they thought maybe in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. I wish you guys would react to suffragette City if you haven't already. I watch so many of your actions but I don't remember what you've done of David Bowie

He was a genius ❤ changed constantly. Always ahead of everyone else. And yes, he could really sing.

Tune 👌

Amazing

Very cool ! 🪬he different sauce. Good stuff fella s,he love’s space sci fi topic s👽✌️

One of my favorite tracks by Bowie!

If you want to hear incredible Bowie vocals, check out "Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)."

I could not name all my favorite Bowie songs lol... but here is me trying.... Ziggy Stardust (way too short!) Space Oddity, Starman, Life on Mars, Diamond dogs, Heros, rebel rebels, Panic in Detroit, I am a DJ, Changes..... and so many more... In fact I am off to make a Bowie greatest hit list on Spotify lol

That was Rick Wakeman (from Yes) who played the piano on this track.

David CAN sang. He was unique and groundbreaking in so many ways. A brilliant song with Rick Wakeman on piano.

Please listen to David Bowie singing with Bing Crosby on Bing's Christmas special. Beautiful vocals.

Love you guys and the banter - keep up the good work. Bowie is a legend!

Great song. One of Bowie’s best songs to me

You guys really are a joy to watch and listen to! I love love this Bowie period! So good!