What if Bowie was the only normal person and we were all weird

You can't talk about Bowie in the early 70's without talking about Mick Ronson.

Rick, as a songwriter and producer for nearly 40 years, my study of Bowie is well over 50 years now. I garuntee you that the more you look, the more fascinating layers of musicality will appear. It never ends. Both musically and lyrically it is nearly unmatched in the 20th century. I recall in 1973 being dog eared hearing the strange chord changes that at first 50 listens baffled me. And still I’m finding more and more. The jumps of styles from album to album are mind blowing. He stayed flawlessly true to his gut. The record label and fans be damned. If you followed, you learned lesson after lessen. His long time pianist Mike Garson is a dear friend so I’ve had the privilege of learning the influences and mechanics of his work and it runs as deep as any philosophical master of our times. Having Mike as a guest on your show would be fantastic as his genius would be a fascinating treasure for you to search through. “All the Young Dudes” still brings tears to my eyes with it’s profound beauty. Thank you

Bowie - a reputation that keeps growing. When I was 10, Starman was released, and I was an instant fan. 51yrs later, I'm so glad I chose the right artist. He opened a window to the big world outside. He enriched my life and still does.

Bowie is the most harmonically complex popular musician of all-time. He flirts with everything from time signatures, to modes, to modulation, to modal interchanges and all of it interacts with the melody flawlessly. He essentially progressed from The Beatles while paying respect to them and never looked back. Cohesively, the Beatles are the greatest of all time ... singularly Bowie is the best for me.

Decades later, this song still gives me the butterflies. Between the chord changes, the verse, the vocals, I knew that great, dark truths were being communicated.

The members of Mott the Hoople apparently couldn''t believe it when Bowie offered them this song. They couldn't believe he didn't want to keep it for himself. It is such a great song, but they did such a great job with it also. The dead guitar lead and Ian Hunter's vocals are stellar. Plus the claptrap is almost like a funeral march. I thought from the second I heard it it was a Bowie song, even though I didn't know much about music at the time. Bowie also sings backing in the chorus I believe.

I still have the half packet of confetti that was dumped on the audience when Mott the Hoople played "All the Young Dudes" as their encore at the Agora Ballroom in Chicago July 27th, 1973. It was Epic.

David Bowie didn't die, he just returned home ✌️

Bowie could make a 3 minute song epic. Just a wave of emotions and tempos in a short span of time.

One of my favorite bridges is David Bowie's song "Changes" How it slides into that bridge, in a melodic sense is sublime...I don't know whether it is odd or conventional but it just sounds so perfect to me. "Strange fascinations fascinate me Ah, changes are taking The pace I'm goin' through"

Bowie has so many unique songs. Ashes To Ashes is up there for one of my favorites.

Another masterpiece written by DB and Mick Ronson.His unmistakable voice in the chorus as well

It's a perfect sentimental rock single, so evergreen. David was the best.

As soon as Rick started talking about a Bowie song with a strange chorus, I hoped he was talking about All The Young Dudes, because it's very dear to me, and has been since I was 17, 53 years ago. One of the most perfectly conceived and executed pop records of all time, I'd argue. Hugely inspiring.

I work with Bowie in the studio once. I'll never forget the experience. He was truly amazing.

I loved the way Bowie's loss was so impactful to Rick, when talking about the internet, it really hit home what a remarkable artist he was. He's really never truly gone.

The chorus is so Beatles inspired it almost feels deliberate from the harmonies up to the lyrics, love it!

As a 14 year old in the 70s the David Live arrangement really got me. So beautiful!

Ian Hunter is severely underapreciated - his songwriting as a solo artisit is stellar - and he's still going strong.

Bowie's background vocals are always brilliant. There's an entire episode in there.

One of the stories I heard about this track is that the guys in Mott The Hoople were thinking of breaking up, and Bowie didn’t want them to, so he gave them this song. Which turned out to be their biggest hit. If it’s true, I think that awesome…

Space Oddity always gets me. Would be just as mind blowing if it came out now. Really unique.

I saw Bowie on his last ever tour - and he played this song! A truly original artist - sorely missed!

There’s very little new music that grabs my attention, nothing inspiring but today I watched Rick Beato’s breakdown of “All The Young Dudes” a song that was released in 1972. Rick dissected this song in such a way that it’s very nearly a brand new song for me. AND the story of how this song came into existence thru David Bowie! Rick’s breaking down of this chord progression has really excited me in a very tough time in my life. I’m going to learn these chords and play along with the record as a therapy, a sanctuary until these dark clouds pass. Thank you Rick, Your videos bring inspiration and good distraction for people in ways you’ll never know. Keep On Truckin’ jack james ~

"Golden Years" - Unexpected changes as the chorus progresses, yet it makes sense, and then the bar of 2 at the end. He really was a great composer.

@Rick Beato - Excellent analysis, Rick! Also interesting that apart from the last "Carry the Dudes" over the C chord at the end of each chorus, Ian is basically singing all the time in D major, despite the chords modulating underneath him rather like a wobbly canoe! PS: I joined Mott on keyboards less than a year after Dudes was released. I have never not enjoyed playing Dudes live ever since - it still raises the hairs on the back of me neck (and invariably raises most of the audiences arms)! And yes - you should interview Ian - at age 83 he just released an astonishingly good new album!

bowie's got the talent to make keychanges without the listener noticing it i always liked quicksand and couple of years ago i wanted to learn the chord progression and was surprised that the whole first verse was in a different key (and with weird chords i couldn't play then) than the rest of the song such a great composer

Bowie's harmonies were peculiar to him. Nobody sounded like him. And it gives you chills over and over.

One of his greatest songs was "Is There Life On Mars". Very intricate chord changes. Rick Wakeman played piano on that track and told his friend that evening after his session that he had played on the most incredible song he'd ever worked on.

When I hear the G-C-D-A turnaround at the end of the chorus, I think of several Queen songs ("The Game" and "Flash" among them) that use that same motif. Not surprising that in their hey day, Queen, Mott the Hoople, and Bowie were musical and personal contemporaries that influenced one another. All were masters of majestic, dramatic, and still quite hooky composition.

This was a hit when I was working nights at an ice cream factory in the summer of 1972, just before I went to college. It often played on the factory PA just as the sun was coming up. One of my favourite Bowie songs.

Many ppl have mentioned Ashes to Ashes but the whole Scary Monsters album is idiosyncratically marvellous, not least the title track but also Because You’re Young & of course Fashion

Mick Ronson was a huge part of what informed and inspired David Bowie. Also Peter Gabriel was a definite influence on him, both musically and with campo theater being used for stage presence... to some degree certainly that stage approach helped shape the music.

I think the Bowie songs always have that happy sing along factor with the perfect melancholic touch

Bowie songs pop into my head frequently. For that I am thankful. ✌

*Nobody* assembled groups of musicians and bands like Bowie. He brought people in to do what they do best and seemed to orchestrate some incredible music and band chemistry.

When I read your title I immediately thought of 'All The Young Dudes', no kidding. I love this video. Analyzing the relationships between a songs harmony and melody get us closer to understanding creative songwriting I think. On the A min you'll notice the vocal harmonies sing notes D and G I believe, which are notes at least an octave above the same played notes in that A min, which utilizes two songwriting tricks...(1) jumping up an octave and (2) giving the impression that the song is going upwards when it actually starts downward. (later the vocal harmonies also sing a third note(A). Bowie is a genius who also knew how to borrow from other musicians like Marc Bolan of T-Rex and Lou Reed. IMO Bowie discovered 'the essence' of Bolan's glam songwriting genius and invented Ziggy Stardust. Bowie idolized Bolan who was famous for doing his thing, before Bowie caught on to it. After he was through with the Bolan essence and Ziggy, he kept a band member rotation going of highly creative players whom he borrowed from. Zappa was well known to do that. A creative ear can take from others and extrapolate from it to create something that becomes their own. I believe bowie was a master at doing that. So,I have to also give Marc Bolan credit for ATYD as well.

'Starman' is my all time favorite Bowie song. Gives me goosebumps and tearing eyes every time I listened to it.

Saw David live many times in the 70's and 80''.s Will never forget the curtains coming up on the Diamonds Dog tour with David dressed as half man/half dog just like the album cover. Ziggy Stardust was also a wonderful tour. He was a consummate performer.

And to think he gifted this masterpiece to help a struggling band! Pure class. ✌

The separation in that recording ! Vocal, guitar, Hammond, is epic

There's a wonderful live version of this song performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. With Bowie on sax, Mick Ronson on guitar and Ian Hunter vocals, backed by the boys from Queen.

Rick It was Mick Ronsons classical training and should of had co writers credit on a lot of Bowies tracks. His guitar work production n composing skills with Bowie. Check out Mick Ronsons film documentaries. Bowie and Ronson did the same thing on Lou Reeds Transformer album Best Wishes Kimball

I was just talking to my brother yesterday about how we never got to really explore Bowie's musical, song writing, and technical abilities through Bowie. He didn't discuss it enough. When people interviewed him, they focused on the personality. Not that, that is a bad thing. But, the depth of Bowie is almost endless. He was fascinating and super human.

Hard to believe that this song was released more than 50 years ago. Still sounds timeless!!

Cool! My all-time favorite Bowie song is Ashes To Ashes. I don’t know exactly what it is about it, but it absolutely captures me. For me, it’s best ever, no contest, but everyone has their favorites, right?

Way back in the day, an English kid I'd met, in trying to give me context for Bowie, described him simply as "a God-genius". ...and that is exactly how I eventually came to regard him, and have continued to think of him, ever since.

Lady Stardust is another song with beautiful and unexpected chord progressions, one of my favorites.

The first measure of the chorus is the same as the first measure of Bach’s Air on the G String. Seems like an inspiration.

As the Beatles broke up, I was 12 years old. I was very sad about that and when I heard "all the young dudes" in the radio (in a really bad quality, the receiving was sometimes very bad theese days) I felt that the Beatles are back somehow. And when I find out that this was written by David Bowie I became a Bowie fan, up to this day.

I must agree...this chorus has always felt to me, like it was the last chorus I ever wanted to hear, and it could literally play for eternity and not get boring! 'Hey Judes' outro chorus is a close 2nd!

The Bowie tune that always breaks my brain is Up the Hill Backwards off of Scary Monsters. The chord changes, the tempo changes... first I think WTF? Then how TF? But it's still a BANGER!

I love Mott the Hoople that performed this song.❤

Rick, you must do Moonage DayDream or Life on Mars. The melodies in those songs are unbelievable! Btw, his closing record had some phenomenal songs on it.

The first time I remember hearing this song it reminded me of the Beatles and Procol Harum...

Written as a gift to save Mott the Hoople……amazing tune, but in the 70’s we were awash in amazing artists….another great video Rick 👏👏👏👏👍🥂

The descending progression, particularly when the organ comes in, is very reminiscent of Procul Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale and, of course, Bach.

Not forgetting Mick Ronson who was responsible for much of David's (spiders) sound.

I always wondered whether this could be a nice topic: the 20 best songs with additional or dropped bars, like in songs by the Beatles, Burt Bacharach, Radiohead, Tom Waits, Bowie etc. etc. - because the impact of, for example, an extra 2/4 bar or, let's say, a circle of 6 bars instead of always 4 is astounding, and it's kind of a revelation to understand what is going on there. Btw, thank you for the good work.

Rick you really need to interview Tony Visconti if you haven't already. Tony was such a huge part of Bowie's genius and has lived such an interesting life himself.

I would say in my humble opinion that D.B. was the greatest entertainer of all time..this royalty blessed us all in our collective Era

A great song. It literally defines and represents an incredible era of music.

You truly are amazing Rick. Your dedication to and love of music and artists who create it and your continual gift to all of us, breaking it all down, giving context for appreciation, it's truly unparalleled. Please don't ever stop. Can I just say an eternal and undying thank you?

Holy crap, Rick! Your interview lineup sounds phenomenal! I’m looking well forward to watching them!

This song has enchanted me for years. I consider it a Bowie masterpiece. Can you imagine Ian Hunter's reaction when he realises Bowie wants to give him this song?

Thank you for giving this much credit for one of the greatest songwriters of our era. He truly was one of a kind and unique beyond measure.

Love this song. First time I heard it back in the day I wasn't aware of the Bowie original or the fact he wrote it, but I distinctly remember thinking it it reminded me of Life on Mars, of all things. There was something about how musically it took you on a little unexpected trip with the progressions. Unexpected, that was Bowie.

This song always puts a smile on my face ever since I first heard it as a kid, when it first came out. Such class, and that chorus is to die for. Catchy, emotive and as you said, majestic. Great video Rick.

For another sublime Bowie chorus look no further than Oh! You Pretty Things. Such an amazing song and one of the first ones that he wrote at the piano.

I still get choked up when I remember reading Bowie died. He gave us soooo much.

I thought for sure the tune would be “Ashes to Ashes”! It’s so incredibly strange and quirky, and I love it. David’s music from his Let’s Dance era in the early-mid 1980’s is my favorite. “China Girl” is just a masterpiece of creativity and sophistication,. “Blue Jean” is in a completely different vein of Bowie style strangeness than anything else from that time. Obviously, “Let’s Dance” is timeless and awesome, and introduced the whole world to Stevie Ray Vaughan. David Bowie was uniquely innovative force of nature throughout his career. 👍

Rick I sure wish you would do “Moon age daydream“ then you could feature the genius of Mick Ronson! You being a guitar player producer it’s amazing to me that you’ve never mentioned Mick Ronson in any of your Bowie videos. I highly recommend watching the movie Beside Bowie you might even discover a new music/guitar hero.

All the young dudes isn't just a great song, but a great rock anthem. Something I deeply miss these days. Sometimes, i get the impression that all those amazing Bowie's songs are amazing because - in a way - there are songs within songs, and that's what makes them stand out, and makes us love them so much.

I love Mott the Hoople that performed this song.🎸🎼🎵🎹

My junior year hs Mott's All the Young Dudes & Deep Purple Machinehead. Mott seemed the definition of a pro working band, not superstars but excellent shows. Heard Starman that summer & saw Bowie at the Tower that Fall. Good days !

Rick, I feel the same way about Bowie. The loss, it's as if Bowie was a close friend. Someone who was always there and you could always count on and you never expected him to go so early.

Really enjoyed that Rick. Such a perfect track and all the better for it's simplicity.

There will never be another mind like Bowie's, he was simply wired differently to everyone else & his musical mastery reflects that fact. My heart sank the moment I heard he had passed, never been hit quite that way by the death of a person I had never personally known.

David Bowie it's probably shaped my musical interest more than any other artist since I've been playing music. So artistic, so eccentric, always so Bowie.

Thank you very much Rick Beato ! Study Bowie is a trip on his own, and Rick does a real full passionated insight to these special things ✌🏼

Love Bowie, particularly the Heathen album. Sunday is a fantastic song. Really enjoying your videos, lots to learn 👍

One of Bowie favorite songs was Absolute beginners. Thank for sharing.

Bowie was a master at key changes

One of my favorite Bowie songs too. I have loved "Dudes" since first hearing it in middle school in the mid-70s. As I read the comments, it looks like I'm not alone here!

Bowie had a way of turning strange into cool! One of my favorites is Rock 'n Roll With Me from Diamond Dogs. He does a very bluesy version of it live.

Bowie was a genius 👏

Can I say how great the recording of this song is? No where to hide if you have a crap melody, all sounds great.

One of the best songs ever written, For me it’s Totally London 70s era, Sadly never to be repeated, there was so much great music and musicians and songwriters coming out of London back then, It pains to be nostalgic I know, but it was the real thing, As was the late Great David Bowie 💔, and Mott the Hoople for that matter 🎸⭐️🌞❤️..Thank you Rick, it’s a real shame you never got to do a musical interview with David Bowie that would really have been something special ❤️❤️❤️

play this in band with my friends, love that chord progression, clever and works wonderfully with melody on chorus.

Rick you should do Sweet Thing --> Candidate --> Sweet Thing --> noise --> Rebel Rebel

So much Bolan atmosphere how the guitars are faded in this track ~ excellent song. So many colors and textures float in Bowie's melodies. What a great gift, get a song from Bowie ~ really, can you imagine? A true anthem song that never dies..... The passing of so many of the amazing musicians from my youth is becoming weekly news, .........being on the edge of 59, quite unsettling, to say the least.

Great video as usual, Mr B. Can’t wait for the Steve Gadd interview, saw him right before lockdown at the star-studded Ginger Baker tribute in London. HE was the one I was most excited seeing. What a recording history!

Great video, this was a great breakdown, I love this song so much. They are also some of the best lyrics Bowie ever wrote.

One of my favorite songs of all time. Another band with unusual chords and counterpoints is David Sylvian and the band Japan.

I remember learning this song on the guitar many years ago and being blown away by the chords and the progression of the chorus. So inventive, unusual, unexpected and utterly perfect.

Been watching all these interviews with people who knew Syd Barrett, but none of them get deep into his weirdness on the musicology or production sides. Would love to hear a breakdown on a Syd tune.

You are great! And it's is so enjoyable to listen to you taking about your wonderful musical experiences. Thus song with DB remains me of Bob Dylans "Life a Rolling Stone".

I’ve known this tune since the ‘80’s but never knew Bowie wrote it but once you mention it it I can totally hear it.

Hey Rick. Loved it. Did you know the line: “Wendy’s stealing clothes from Marks and Sparks” is a traditional British shop called Marks and Spencer. Forever know as Marks and Sparks. 😂