8 David Bowie Tracks That Changed The Landscape Of Music

David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust, the advantageous legend of music, though his appearance was often one of an extrovert, his silence on most media platforms was one of an introvert. His songs influenced musicians throughout the years such as, Joy Division, The Smiths, Guns ‘n’ Roses and the 1975.

His flamboyance had him coined as the “music chameleon”. Instead of relating to current trends, Bowie made them, and for many years dictated the style of pop music and many other genres. But now, the star man will be waiting in the sky.

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A perfect example of how David Bowie would shift the landscape to suit his style. To think this slightly morbid song came out in the early 70s – when the likes of Jimi Hendrix were only around the corner. The glamorous style of the video was only a fair summation of David Bowie’s aesthetically puzzling side of music. Lyrically, it’s flawless and is arguably part of the first truly big concept album.

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The alter ego of Ziggy Stardust was made fully extensive after much experimentation abundantly clear in songs such as Space Oddity. Starman featured the full unveiling of Ziggy Stardust – an androgynous man who had presumably been left in space for many years. Musically, the change between the verse and chorus are most of note. The shift from minor to major with the use of a very short middle-8 was something that became a staple in many musician’s song-writing.

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The gigantic ballad of ‘Heroes’ by Bowie propelled him into the major mainstream pop charts. Though he already has a stake of interest in that genre of music, the uplifting sound of Heroes was something that attracted people worldwide. It may have been covered a few times by more current artists, but the original is still the most powerful version.

The sound of Bowie rattling his throat to elevate his voice on the track is something that will never leave the ears of many of his fans.

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Sound and Vision wasn’t the biggest mainstream success Bowie had experienced, but was one that grew with his fans. The song featured on several adverts lately and so reinvented itself amongst younger people. Sound and Vision became the song that gained Bowie a lot of new fans without ever meaning to.

It is lyrically simple but also very clever. Bowie has, somehow, managed to write three minutes worth of lyrics based on sitting in his room. It may not have been his biggest triumph at the time, but it is a song that is widely regarded as one of his greats.

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It was hard to see how this song could actually go wrong. At the time of its release, both Bowie and Queen were at the top of their respective careers, so the joining of forces only spelt success. The song was a massive success becoming Queen’s second number 1 in UK and Bowies, third. Band shave went to cover it such as The Used and My Chemical Romance.

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This song became something of a legend. It’s infectious weirdness. The abrasive guitar, the seductive trumpet and the sombre sound of Bowie’s croons. Let’s Dance is a great of alternative club nights. Can you remember the last time it didn’t come on in a place with cheap beer and low ceilings? One of the greats released by a god of pop music. The guitar solo is immensely simple too. But such was David Bowie’s musical styling. The man who had eternal faith in his lyrics.

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The song offered a more rock ‘n’ roll side to Bowie. He put away the drag clothes and instead just distorted his guitar and went all out. The Jean Genie epitomised the sound of 2-bar blues at the time. It even led you to question whether it was actually Bowie given the severe normality of it all. Instead of the adventurous way of Ziggy Stardust, Bowie wrote something that wouldn’t sound too out of place on Rolling Stones record.

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An expansion on the strange ways of Ziggy Stardust, Bowie makes a reference of anger against Major Tom. The drama of it being that instead of being rescued, Stardust has been left on another planet to dwell. Pointing out that Major Tom is a junkie. Maybe it was a social reference to the fact that at the time when drugs were rife people mostly dropped their friends and instead focused on themselves.