David Bowie - Space Oddity (REACTION)

[@DavidJacobsvo]

To understand Bowie you have to understand that he had distinct phases in his career, some of which were uniquely different. In fact, for many of these phases he embodied a character. Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, ect. Each character had his own style and attitude. This is why Bowie was special artist. I don’t cry when rock stars die but I cried when Bowie died.

[@billherman7294]

So well said

[@MySnottyattaC]

I cried too.

[@susanmurray7654]

Lot of people did, especially since we didn't know he was ill. He went out on his terms, God Blessed us for giving him to us.

[@bookhouseboy280]

"or else took a long leave of absence and forgot to check in." - Bowie

[@davidbanks736]

Spot on!

[@StaciaAmnaber]

There is NOTHING like a reactor that actually understands what is happening in the music. Do you know how many reacted to this song and just didn't get it? I appreciate you 2 SO MUCH. You should have a THANKS button for donations. THANK YOU

[@roguealien]

My thoughts exactly! These two guys are exposing so much depth in the music!

[@royalway12]

For sure.

[@kraig7777]

I like that they actually really LISTEN to the music, instead of just watching the video. Most real classic rock songs came out before videos so any video that goes with them is irrelevant to the song. Like in this one they didn't say a word about what David looks like in this period, but they talk a lot about the actual awesome music happening. Like that bass line (Herbie Flowers played bass, and Rick Wakeman played keyboards!).

[@tomcurtis8431]

Absolutely! These two are so good at this.

[@StaciaAmnaber]

@@tomcurtis8431 So good at this!!

[@BigC.]

The early 70’s were such a great time for rock music.

[@Beau_T_McBoatface]

And then the record companies all went corporate and ruined everything.

[@An_Cat_Dubh]

And Soul/Funk as well.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

... Except this wasn't even the 70's yet. Released in 1969 a few days before man 1st stepped on the moon.

[@davidhornbeckmusic7487]

Late 60’s to early 70’s was certainly a magical time.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

I find that UK music genre decades stagger calendar decades e.g. 65 to 75; then 75 to 85;

[@mrmiscast]

Bowie was an original...

[@darrylbennett4297]

This is the edge of an extremely deep and rewarding rabbit hole. Bowie is an original, his own genre. He’s to alternative rock what Johnny Cash is to Country, what James Brown is to Soul, or Marley is to reggae. They all transcend they’re genres.

[@billybrien7397]

You hit that on the head all those artists on a different level for genre. For groups I would add zeppelin to this list but these guys already know that..

[@urbangardener66]

A masterpiece of a song, so early in Bowie's career. It great watching you guys discover the great music of the 70s that us old foggies almost take for granted.

[@arjaylee]

Bowie was an absolute genius

[@handsomestik]

RIP Davey and Prince. Miss you brothers

[@MaddyN999]

Bowie was a chameleon, he constantly reinvented himself. So damn sad we lost him. I’d love for you to react to Bowie’s song “Life on Mars”. It’s magnificent! Rick Wakeman plays piano on it.

[@kraig7777]

He played keyboards on this song.

[@johnanderson8096]

These Two Gentlemen are in a League of their Own... as Usual... Well Done.. Thank You!!!! ✌✌🌍🌎🌏✌✌

[@davidcopson5800]

They are the League of their Own Gentleman.

[@gernblanston5697]

Going down the Bowie rabbit hole, get ready for rock's true chameleon genius. Virtually every album was a great departure into new genres and innovation. Brilliant, brilliant artist!

[@SusanHeaton]

Snowbama

[@Frankincensedjb123]

If you ever do a Bowie retrospective, you will find a wide range of styles and influences. He was a constant changeling. One of a kind.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Space Oddity is a play on words taken from “2001 a Space Odyssey”, one of the most popular movies of the day. Bowie was a special sort of artist - he’ll continue to grow on you! Credit to Mick Ronson, a fabulous guitar player, and very under-rated! Peace

[@tonythegoodman]

If u remember 2001 a space Odyssey ..how about The Man Who Fell To Earth..David Bowie movie..

[@knightngail1]

You can't put Bowie in a box. He was a musical genius!! RIP 🖤

[@XtheMystic244]

David Bowie defies defintion - he strode through the seventies like a collossus ! He was effortlessly perfect in every genre. Such a fabulous artist and a sweet down to earth man.

[@chrisreed3572]

Strode through like a Collossus!! Indeed bro…he owned that decade, shaped it, lived it, discarded it and then into the 80’s, time to make some money…

[@324cmac]

My favorite David Bowie song. I had a movie going in my mind as he sang. Very creative and unique.

[@YunieDeen13]

this dude had more influence on other artists than any man alive, always groundbreaking

[@susanmurray7654]

David Bowie art teacher was Peter Frampton's father. David Bowie too Peter out on tour which helped Peter get back in the game. Released Frampton Comes Alive shortly thereafter. David was a giver man. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tina Turner. Look it up!

[@andreaaase1065]

Luther Vandross is another who got his start with David Bowie! He arranged the backing vocals on the Young Americans album, Bowie’s self-described “plastic soul” album. Another amazing song from that album is “Win.” Can’t wait for you to get there, but take your time with Bowie. Some of his stuff will grow on you.

[@susanmurray7654]

@@andreaaase1065 yes I saw him on stage in a video, I had forgotten.

[@steveullrich7737]

The complex sound effects that he produced for this song are spectacular and fit perfectly this science fiction like space story of an astronaut lost in space. It also has a psychedelic like sound. David was an amazing artist and clearly ground breaking for 1969.

[@willblood7082]

The word genius is throwing around too easily, but Bowie truly was a genius! I’m 62 , so all of my teen years were in the 1970s. I loved his music since the first time I heard it space oddity when I was 12 years old (‘72) when my older sister played it for me. A lot of guys thought he was weird, gay, etc. and would make fun of me for liking his music, but I didn’t care, he was a true visionary, musical genius who would always push the limits in everything he did whether it was music, androgyny, reinventing himself and drugs.

[@chitownlee]

He wrote this in 69, he was inspired by the the moon landing that year.

[@krisdoggett483]

Starting from the beginning huh? Cool!! This Song was released in the summer of '69 like five days before the Apollo mission to land on the Moon. Rick Wakeman of Yes played keyboards for Bowie then joined Yes after David's 'Hunky Dory' album in 1971. The strings you heard was the mellotron played by Rick.

[@thefoodmercenary]

Around 14 years from 68-80 this is what we listened to. The talent level of the average band/performer was insanely good, topped only by the sheer volume and diversity of style they generated as a whole. This is why my generation growing up with only a few radio stations in the country trying to play it all taught us and in some ways jaded us to what great music is. It's exactly why we look at so many of the current popular artists and laugh/chide at their belief they are actually good at this art form. Love your break down and appreciation for true talent.☝😎

[@bennymartinez5532]

Good times. I was 12 yrs old in 1972

[@thefoodmercenary]

@@bennymartinez5532 I was 15.

[@smilerpink]

This was his first big hit. His career spanned decades and had distinct phases. This was early 70’s soft rock with some soul and psychedelic elements. Later, he did semi disco (“Fame”) or dance club (“Let’s Dance”). Every genre he touched he did with high quality, stretching each one a little. Never stopped growing as an artist. Charisma oozed off this guy. Kind of performer you couldn’t take your eyes off of. Here is a live version of a personal favorite that I think has been used in films. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKS8oWynaLaBl7M&pp=ygURYm93aWUgaGVyb2VzIGxpdmU%3D

[@jonathanseed6978]

Actually, this came out in 1969.

[@davidcopson5800]

@@jonathanseed6978 True, but it got the number one spot (UK) in 1975. This video was made in the 70s.

[@OnlyGoodMusic_]

@@davidcopson5800 What does it have to do with when it reached number 1. That was a re-release, in 1969 it reached the top 5. The video was made at the end of 1972 and that re-release was not released in the UK, but in Oceania and North America. And I would like to highlight what I said at the beginning: What does it have to do with when it was number 1? To give an example, The Who had 14 top 10 singles, but no number 1. Duran Duran's "Rio" was not number 1, but it spent 25 weeks in the top 10. Among hundreds of other examples I could give. This was Bowie's first top ten hit in 1969, the impact was enormous! He won awards, including an ivor novello, was invited to events and even met Princess Margaret.

[@darikmatters8866]

In the 50s 60s and early 70s the entire western worlds hearts and imagination were completely captivated with space exportation. Everything from Tail-fins to clothing and music to popular TV (Star trek, the jetsons, Space 1999 etc) .. It was complete wonderment and excitement. A truly magic time.. I remember the first moon landing and building my own Lunar Lander model

[@mateostaplez7497]

To put this in context, the Stanley Kubrick classic film 2001, A Space Odyssey, had been a sensation in 1969, the same year that Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and then in 1970, Apollo 13, the “successful failure” had just kept the world captivated. This was Bowie’s “what if” the Apollo 13 astronauts HAD been stranded in space?

[@anthonyv1719]

David Booooie is one of the most diverse artists. Able to adapt to trends before they came. Some loved em, others not so much - but no denying his talent and ear for music.

[@CTPhil]

I have been listening to this song for over 50 years, and every time I just marvel. Bowie was just Bowie, I gave up trying to understand his music, I just accept that he was a master on a level well above me He went his own way and there will never be another like him.

[@theivory1]

His person, his music, as unique as you can find.

[@louisnixon3625]

Sunday mornings around here ! AIRPLAY BEATS MARATHON ! Can’t beat it ! Mississippi 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@stevenmurano7863]

His first hit single …from ‘69. You guys really need to go down the rabbit hole that is Bowie’s catalog. For my money the greatest artist of out time. He did not put out a bad album in the 70s. Every one fantastic! I would listen in chronological order

[@davidcopson5800]

Good advice.

[@targetshootr]

He made some mind blowing records in the early '70s, Moonage Daydream being one of my favorites. The whole Ziggy Stardust album is an all time great.

[@martinellis7156]

I heard "Moonage daydream" for the first time tripping on LSD and Mick Ronsons guitar will stay with me forever - the '70's in England was an amazing time and place. We lived for the music..

[@jameshunter7303]

Bowie was lit. Massive supporter of black artists in the early 80’s when MTV (which was the front runner in driving what was popular) would rarely if ever play black artists. He challenged the channel over this. He’s got an extremely deep rabbit hole

[@Rock_Snob]

Bowie was from the future and everyone had to catch up to him… but by the time that happened he was on to his next incarnation! Great reaction gentlemen!

[@donnaabbato508]

Saw him sing this in concert!!! I’m Blessed!! 1977! He even had a “spaceship “ drop from the ceiling !!! So theatrical !!

[@ahronlong9846]

Bowie is the greatest. The 70s stuff is the most popular, and maybe rightfully so. But 90s Bowie is extremely underrated. Talk about artistry and reinvention, he’s the gold standard. I look forward to watching Bowie blow your minds repeatedly.

[@Grizazzle]

Yup. This song belongs in EVERYONE'S collection!

[@mikemicrael5749]

Love your reactions. David Bowie has one of the most eclectic catalogs and will keep you very busy. You will need lots of Black Coffee live. 😁

[@zigman63]

Its hard to explain how groundbreaking Bowie was with everything from sound and production to his amazing voice.

[@kimzwolinski9919]

My favorite Bowie song ❤

[@davidcopson5800]

Mine too.

[@robertprice6830]

Bowie YES. Go through the Ziggy Stardust album. One of the first concerts I saw. Can't remember if I was even a teenager yet when I saw it.

[@user-mw3mb2uv8n]

One guy wearing a Toronto Blue Jays baseball hat with Pink Floyd album cover in the back listening to David Bowie sing Space Oddity in 2024, well shout out to these guys for warming the heart of this old guy and putting a smile on his face watching your reactions…thank you, young Gentlemen 👍

[@mariaportengen2959]

A great classic from David Bowie, one of his best! 🎶🎶❤️❤️

[@samuraijacques952]

I've only ever paid attention to his voice on this but yeah listening to the bass guitar🤯 dude is killing it

[@bert0522]

This is the era of Bowie that will live on for ever. Jim

[@wpollock1]

The lyrics are so cool....He goes from "SITTING in a tin can" (spacecraft) to "FLOATING 'round my tin can" as Mr. Tom floats away. Great call on the bass....I never noticed that before. These remixes are so good!

[@davidcopson5800]

If you're in space, always return to bass!

[@williamlovett619]

Another classic

[@wdrauch]

Truly one of the most beautifully brilliant songs ever recorded

[@brendahhstiles9992]

This man was innovative all through his career and continued until the day he died.

[@steddie4514]

Wow, with everything else you're reacting to DB is right up there with the very best. You'll be astonished at the variety of music he produced.

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Ziggy Stardust! "STARMAN"...."PANIC IN DETROIT"...."Gene Genie"...."LIFE ON MARS"!!

[@LesSmith45]

Only two word Bro!!! Rebel Rebel! Next Bowie song! One of the best guitar intros ever

[@maxbrazil3712]

This tune is like an entire Pink Floyd album, pure genius.

[@allisondownes7481]

Great reaction, guys! Yes, everything about this song is amazing - and unique, as is with David Bowie.

[@paxonearth]

I love the Bowie song, "Queen Bitch."

[@chadczternastek]

I wish I was born so much earlier. As I get older, I'm just turning 50, I'm really just appreciating and embracing all that great music from the mid 60's to early 70's. I mean you have the legend David Bowie, The Beatles in their creative prime, The Doors, Rod Stewart. Just those off th top of my head. I really underestimated Bowie and recently I watched the movie The Prestige, and Bowie made a appearance as Mr Tesla and got me just blasting Bowie. The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars is just a flawless epic album. Best one in my opinion.

[@carrerlluna66]

Ned in Spain, sayin HEY La and Che, you guys pick some of our favorite artists and this was a key song in Bowie's development. It first came out in 1969 using session players before he became Ziggy Stardust with his band The Spiders from Mars w Mick "Ronno" Ronson. The bass on this is by the incredible versatile and much recorded Herbie Flowers and Rick Wakeman of Yes is playing Synth. They reissued the song in '72 with this vid after he became a Glam Rock superstar.

[@davebrau]

Bowie was a singular man. Amazing production, considering the year it was recorded. I remember being in a grocery store parking lot in a car hearing it on the radio for the first time with my brother. Time stopped. We just looked at each other and said whoa and that was like nothing I ever heard before, but we liked it, but sure why. lol.

[@margiewilson4324]

Bowie was such a genius! I cried, too, when he died.

[@jdbroders64]

Bowie is/was a genius and top G talent. He was a beautiful soul.

[@56music64]

Great to listen to intelligent reactors. Thank goodness. Absolutely brilliant song and I was there for it aged 21. So blessed to grow up when I did.

[@donnaabbato508]

He’s a pure musical genius!!👍👍👍👏👏👏💕. Miss him!❤️

[@babylonsister118]

Got chills watching you guys react to this! Great one!

[@terenzo50]

It's performance art, not just songs or pop or rock. Bowie was an artist across genre definitions.

[@randyhochstein8455]

Brilliantly innovative, dramatically outlandish, and just so damned good. ♥️✌🏼😎

[@angelagraves865]

YAY!!! More Bowie, please! He was a genious and you can't go wrong with anything of his you choose, but I'm partial to Sweet Thing (sometimes combined with the songs Candidate and Sweet Thing reprise, which is a good version), Wild is the Wind, Ashes to Ashes, and Stay. 🤘

[@caroleann_2142]

MASTERPIECE Bowie the early years...🎉🎉🎉 again with Rick Wakeman 🎹🎹

[@spawn4582]

This beautiful thing was written in 1969, I like the first David Bowie, they are really very soulful and touching, this song is definitely in my personal playlist.

[@lindakessler8768]

I miss him being on planet earth...wonder which planet he's visiting now. 👍❤🤙

[@ednicholson7839]

This is Bowie's first hit. He was kind of a one hit wonder until a few years later when he became a superstar with the Ziggy Stardust album. His run of albums of Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Aladdin Sane are all rock masterpieces. Station to Station is his "plastic soul" masterpiece. You guys should listen to all these albums song by song. There are other great Bowie albums too, but their appeal depends more on your taste. For example, if you prefer a New Wave, post-disco sound then check out the Heroes, Low and Scary Monsters albums. If you want to hear Bowie at his most "pop" then listen to the Young Americans and Let's Dance albums. That's plenty to get you started.

[@turnsufficient4971]

It's an absolutely incredible song ! He did a version of this some years earlier and that version is pretty good, but this one takes the cake. It's a soundscape of sounds ! The guitar solo - at the end - when the guitarist hits the last note of the guitar solo - in the middle -- he turns the tuning peg/knob down -- that gives it that downward descending note. The bass player was definitely killing it and acoustic guitar sounds fantastic. The drummer played pretty awesomely too, but in parts of the song - he played minimalist and it was brilliant. Some times less is more. Great review guys - love it. If you look closer at Bowie in some of the close up video shots - you'll notice he has two different eye colors - it's natural and he was born like that.

[@NebulizerChi]

Great call on the double-tracking of the vocal. Keep Bowie-ing ---you'll never cease to marvel at the fact that the same human was the main creative force and decision maker behind it all...the sequel to this that came out 11 years later is called *"Ashes to Ashes,"* is sick af, and is, like, "You expect me to believe that's the same guy...?!?"

[@clifton8929]

Regarding the diversity of music (The Who, Zepplin, Marvin Gaye, Little Feat, ZZ Top, Allman Brothers etc.), no one is better with commentary on production, instrumentation, vibe, and feel than Airplay Beats. Y'all are The Old School Gangsters of the College of Musical Knowledge. Everyday 'Nothin' But Net' - no one works harder than you guys, and it's greatly appreciated.

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

GOTTA go down the Bowie rabbit hole. He’s sooooo important.

[@EC-dz3fb]

I absolutely love how you guys react to music. So much respect. ♡

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

This is just a classic Bowie song. Love it....there's so many Bowie tunes to do.

[@rbking9296]

Ziggy Played Guitar is another hard one from this album this is all from Bowie’s Ziggy Star Dust days I mean he was Ziggy he took on the whole Persona of the character…great times and a lot of great music during the time when this came out

[@jonathanseed6978]

The video dates from 1972, but Space Oddity featured on the 1969 album "David Bowie", later retitled "Space Oddity" when it was reissued. The song you're referring to was called "Ziggy Stardust" and appeared three albums later, in 1972.

[@davidcopson5800]

@@jonathanseed6978 You just saved me two minutes!

[@scottsnyder2726]

This was released in 1969 and got a lot of radio play. I remember thinking “what the heck is this” and wanting to hear it again and again. And wanting to hear more from Bowie. There was enormous creativity and innovation in music at the time. And lots of emerging musical technology. Bowie was, to some degree, an alien, that helped to shape rock music and expand it immensely. One of a kind.

[@OnlyGoodMusic_]

The Ivor Novello Awards created a special category to give Bowie an award. That song had a lot of impact, I remember. It's one of the best songs ever.

[@SolArc33]

'Loved groovin with you both and getting into this song! I've heard it over the years, but great insight (proven in the comments) about Elvis. God bless music.

[@darkmagus64]

That was a well crated, tasteful work of art, a precursor to Ziggy Stardust.

[@dolcenotte]

You would not be disappointed to go through his early '70s albums chronologically the way you have with Zep. The Man Who Sold the World, Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, all stellar no filler.

[@MichaelRivera-ns2dd]

Just an unbelievable all around musician period!

[@jennifermclaughlin5222]

Bowie is a deep rabbit hole, and I hope you dig all the way. Pure genius. I am loving you two!

[@ruthfejfar7836]

Thank you. After your welcoming with Zeppelin (sweet!!) this is an extended journey for me. Thank you, for the mind bending 70 yr old.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

Interesting release history. Originally released as a single in July of 1969, just days before Apollo 11 landed the first men on the moon. It went Top Ten in the U.K., but not even Top 100 in the U.S. In 1972, after Bowie had more success in the United States with the "Ziggy Stardust" album, and his new record label had acquired the rights to his previous albums, they re-released "Space Oddity" as a single again and it went to No. 15...

[@garyfallows1123]

Just a masterpiece, you can't say anymore

[@petersutton2182]

Lets not forget the brilliant lyrics 🙂

[@nflr92]

Bowie was a sort of reverse chameleon - he would always stake out territory outside of what most other artists were doing at the time. Always distinctive.

[@athab8256]

Music from my youth. I have always found this song to be haunting.

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

I'm kinda surprised you guys liked this so much. I love it but for some reason I didn't think you would. So glad I was wrong this time. 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@jaccilowe3842]

Imagine being 16 years old and this stuff was happening all the time! Great days!

[@DaisyAnnabelle65]

I saw David Bowie in concert in Seattle in the early 2000’s. I love this song, it makes me feel some kind of way. ❤️

[@mikehutton3187]

“The Jean Genie”, by Ziggy Stardust(Bowie) is a great song from back in those days.

[@matthewchambers-sinclair8772]

Bowie was a big part of those weird days in the 70s that were my childhood. Glad you appreciated his early efforts -- lots more there for you to discover and well worth the time.

[@craigsartstuff-craiglhaupt]

The complete CD/Album is wonderful!! You owe it to yourself to immerse yourself into it at one sitting

[@VintageTealDog]

Bowie - Stay (Live Nassau Coliseum '76) Trust me it’s a new level 🎼🎧 Much ❤️ to y’all

[@coinneachmaclellan3121]

ROXY MUSIC was another unique band from this era

[@itsmadfar]

Bowie: a musical prophet of his time. Brilliant, brilliant , brilliant. In my humble opinion, I think he was at his most creative in the earlier years. My favorite album is Hunky Dory. I know you guys would appreciate the hell out of it!

[@michaelbriefs9764]

This is a great example of early Prog Rock crossing over into Pop. This is a Space Opera-type song, with a very non-traditional vocal part, but there was a ton of mellotron and all kinds of other instruments. Wow. Such a cutting-edge song from 1969!

[@willo8794]

Bowie dropped in on Queen one day. Said let’s collaborate. Presto, Under Pressure. Legends