For this, my top ten Bowie songs picks, it’s my third rodeo! As the blog’s made a bit of a comeback (for now, who knows?!), it seemed like a fun thing to reprise.
I did this the first time on November 9th 2003. I took a second shot on August 20th 2013.
But first, a pic. That’s how we do it, isn’t it?!
And here’s the list…
01. “Heroes” (1977)
02. Life on Mars? (1971)
03. Ashes to Ashes (1980)
04. Changes (1971)
05. Absolute Beginners (1986)
06. Where Are We Now? (2013)
07. Starman (1972)
08. Jump They Say (1993)
09. Strangers When We Meet (1993 version)
10. Cat People (1982 version)
Breaking this down, this list and 2013 both diverge from 2003 a fair bit. But between 2026 and 2013, there are only four changes out of ten. 1 and 2 are the same. Ashes to Ashes replaces Ziggy Stardust at 3, because this was my first 45″ single purchase (sadly, it was vandalised by a “friend” in 1987), and why I left it off the previous two lists is quite beyond me. Changes replaces Station to Station at 4… just because. Absolute Beginners and Strangers When We Meet switch places—AB, to me, is such a perfect pop record and deserves a higher spot. Where Are We Now? moves up a place—it’s a classic, and the comfortable highlight of his troubled late period. Starman replaces Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide… I have a more consistent abiding affection for the former. 10 remains the same!
So not a radical shift. I guess my top Bowie picks are getting a little set in stone now!!
A shout out for ‘Panic in Detroit’ and ‘Drive-In Saturday’.
Great choices, especially Panic.
I was married on November 9th 2003.
One Magical movement from Kether to Malkuth
All excellent choices.
“Heroes” is also my number one, but to construct a definitive top 10 would be nearly impossible for me I think.
“Red Sails” would be in there for sure though along with “Always Crashing in the Same Car”.
Of the three later songs, I think I like Jump They Say best, but my own top ten would all be songs before 1990, by which time I’d stopped listening to his new releases. I’ve heard them since, but my listening habits have changed and music doesn’t penetrate the way it used to. Station to Station has long been a favourite song and album, so that would definitely be in there.
Not sure what my top ten would be, but this is a great playlist.