David Bowie - Five Years (Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972)

David Bowie performing 'Five Years' on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972.
Taken from Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars released in June 1972, which featured the singles Starman, Suffragette City and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.
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About David Bowie:
David Bowie redefined musical genres and the potential of live performance for generations of music lovers. Creating and discarding a variety of personae and restlessly challenging musical boundaries, Bowie released timeless albums including Space Oddity, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust…, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, "Heroes,” Let's Dance, Heathen, The Next Day and many more. Blackstar, Bowie’s 28th and final studio album, was released on his 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. David Bowie died on January 10, 2016, two days after the release of Blackstar. His body of work, his influence on the worlds of music, art, fashion, film, theatre and beyond, and his legacy of innovation and reinvention will live forever. 2022 kicks off with Bowie at 75, a celebration of his 75th birthday with the Brilliant Adventure box set, the previously unreleased Toy, the 50th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust and a series of special events.
#DavidBowie #FiveYears #ZiggyStardust #Bowie

[@hasonmorris4968]

Bowie never died he simply went back to his home planet, Earth was just part of his tour. Be thankful Human

[@Blacky474]

Bowie was another one of the greats.

[@FabianMacGintyONeill]

I love the theory that David Bowie's lifespan (1947-2016) was the greatest period of human prosperity in history because he was around, then once the 'Ol Starman succumbed to a very human disease everything started going back to the brutal old days of war, mass disease and dictatorships. Miss ya David

[@JamesHaydenSr.]

*Mr. Bowie Would’ve Really Appreciated Your Comment, & How Elegant and Right To The Point It is, Yo; I Can Almost Hear Him With a Sigh of Satisfaction, Saying “Yes, Some of Them Did Get It, & It Wasn’t All For Naught”👩🏻‍🎤”HE TOOK IT ALL TO FAR”🎸”BUT BOY COULD HE PLAY GUITAR”‼️🚀 🪐 🎼:🎶

[@Bernacide]

❤❤❤

[@TheJoscelyne]

"I never thought I'd need so many people..." That line never fails to hit me in the gut.

[@SAHB]

And how do you feel about this song to day 💞

[@carolynbarnes7098]

I am with you on that! Can't stop listening to this. When he says his brain hurts a lot..

[@hazelwray4184]

@@mick6721 'short fat people' - I've noticed that throughout his career, he'd forget a lyric. Here though, I'm not sure; think he was being mischievous.

[@TheFlamingBridges]

@@hazelwray4184 I reckon he did it on purpose

[@keepingup2952]

@@SAHB More than 50 years later, it turns out he was wrong and that it was just another British Empire move to feed people a dose of demoralization so that they would develop a propensity for substance abuse as in the heroin trade coming from the golden triangle established by the assassination of Kennedy and the subsequent war.

[@lisagermano3934]

"Was that okay?" he asks at the end of the song. Yes, mister David Bowie, it was. I know I speak for many when I say you changed my life for the better, perhaps even saved it. Eternally grateful. ❤️

[@kimberleybradley7837]

Eternally

[@honestguy7764]

He was a nice guy. He’d propably chuckled whe he read your comment

[@pastaslut]

i love him so much

[@SarahMJordan]

Could not agree more

[@michaeljones9316]

Beautifully said

[@jplelectrical9328]

One of David’s most underrated songs. Simply doesn’t get played enough on the radio

[@eduardoduarte232]

Amazing song. Glad doesnt get play so much.

[@Johnnywhamo]

Classic rock radio thinks every band only has 5 songs and they've played the same FKN songs for 40 plus years.

[@karenmossbryan7932]

Radio? Start your own

[@el_wumberino]

@@karenmossbryan7932 Yep. Who needs radio these days.

[@markrae1317]

This song is not underrated in the slightest!

[@markrae1317]

Talent. Sheer fucking talent. No auto-tune, no overdubs, just four fantastic musicians making brilliant music.

[@sexobscura]

Are you okay

[@NashSpaceRocket]

So who's playing the lead guitar you can hear near the end??

[@sexobscura]

@@NashSpaceRocket It was really Angie Bowie, but Bowie didn't want to give her any credit for his work in any way at all

[@ECCENTRICERIC69]

@@NashSpaceRocket The vocals are live played to a backing track I believe and definitely no auto tune with Bowie!

[@mjf8897]

the whole vocal take is an overdub. that isn't a live band playing. they're pantomiming. lol - derp.

[@pstmdrnslze]

This is the most touching, heartfelt, emotional live version I've ever seen Bowie do. In fact it's probably one of the most emotional performances ever. "Don't think you knew you were in this song" 😢

[@patxi601]

2;37 Here he says "in my song"

[@MegaSickcat]

His voice made you believe every single word he sang.

[@seandrew7837]

True Story

[@doanhaiang1081]

Couldnt be more true

[@rangers-loyalist321]

yip so true my friend

[@donnyposey5179]

I'll go along with that statement. 🖖

[@hw343434]

Yep, Bowie and Lennon had that ability where they used their voice in a way in which it seemed they were speaking directly to you

[@mickydee7502]

Mick Ronson on the keyboards, jesus, that geezer was so talented, i'm not even joking.

[@Edward-rw3kq]

Truth.

[@chrisjames6327]

Mick was a classically trained concert pianist. Some of the piano he played on other people's albums is iconic - such as, he played the famous piano on Lou Reed/Perfect Day

[@LoveBoatPirate]

A Beautiful Soul.

[@lillywhite5650]

Could play so many instruments. One of the best, but underrated guitarists ever. Complimented Bowie like nobody has since. Loved him as a teenager!

[@melvinpuddock8774]

How about the fact that he arranged the strings on the song Sea Diver. On the Mott the Hopple, All the young dudes album. Multi talented. Great!

[@relief7510]

i like seeing the attitude of "smiling and waving and looking so fine" ...a line so ingrained in my head for so many years

[@karenmossbryan7932]

Like waving not drowning

[@ChristianMichel-q6m]

me three

[@mrpickles9691]

Remember it from hi school

[@richardkemp5550]

I'm a drummer, and believe me, that beat is a lot harder than it sounds. Go Woody!

[@a.c.4732]

Yeah , but once you've got it, it pops out everywhere : table , armchair , coffee cup , steering wheel .... But yes , you go, Mr Woodmansey !

[@a.c.4732]

Mr Kemp - you've really started something . I'm sitting on the train, staring blankly out of the window , and suddenly my fingers start tapping on my leg ....

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

You're absolutely right.

[@siamesevodka]

Sadly, the only one in this video who is still alive :(

[@norahmeriah2539]

I Just thought i would like to learn it❤️🥁

[@nathelm]

This man kept me alive when I was a teenager. I wore his albums out. David Live, The Rise and Fall of Zigy Stardust, Diamond Dogs, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). If he only knew. Miss you.

[@HansBerger-m3d]

low, heroes... we all miss him

[@lewisner]

This was before he got his red mullet. When he did , a lad at my school got one and was immediately sent home.

[@terryo5672]

Why do we not have music genius like this anymore?

[@IHateThisHandleSystem]

It's actually a very complicated answer. I would recommend researching "The Five Stages of Empire" and reading "The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy". But to give a ridiculously over simplified and short answer... We are simply in the stage of a failing society/empire that (starting in the late 1960's) was unable to maintain the environment needed to produce such artists. Today we are living with results of such failure. The disparage between the "golden age" of the past and the dystopia that awaits us will be sever indeed, likely worse than that between the height of the Roman Empire and the depths of the Dark Ages.

[@Raelven]

Mass brain death. Mass soul death. Yet we live.

[@Mark-td5ux]

God sent him to us, so few prophets.

[@lizrivers4422]

Because there's only the one: Bowie.

[@ВладимирСен-ц1л]

Because our motto is “more”

[@David-uf8ex]

One of David’s most powerful songs pure brilliance

[@jeanpierremercurio3969]

Pour toujour dans le coeur de beaucoup de personne mercie david

[@SAHB]

And it is

[@danw1374]

It was influenced by a prophecy made by American christian minister William Branham in the 1960s who said that humanity would cease to exist in 1977. Bowie wrote this song five years earlier.

[@clubmogambo3214]

@@danw1374 Wow, that's one amazing tidbit of info!!! Thanks!!!

[@milenariarr8329]

💯.

[@Arasteele]

"If you're sad today, just remember the Earth is over 4 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie."

[@a.c.4732]

I've often thought that - lost track of how many times I played this LP as a boy : H-D ,Ziggy, A-S etc 50 plus years down the line , I'm still word perfect on each and all of these / his lyrics : however ... the History / Geography / Science books-homework etc etc faded many many years ago ; well, they didn't really last that long in the first place ! That said , I slipped "fleas the size of rats sucked on rats the size of cats" into one of my English A Level essays . I should have given him a credit, I know , but I don't think he'll mind too much .... It wasn't just Bowie though , was it ? Our generation seemed to have so many different genres of music to choose from , all individually crafted and played by genius musicians . No electronic wizardry which makes what you hear nowadays all very questionable . Great fashions , easily accessible . . Films / Movies . Sport where everything was "financially" within reach . Mork & Mindy , even ! Maybe I'm just too old for this world but I look around me and wonder - what is left , really ? Love to Corinne Schwab for getting Jonesy through soooo much "stuff" . And , apologies for droning on . Played this song , looked out of the window : pouring with rain , again . I think Five Years will do me nicely , thank you very much .

[@Arasteele]

@@a.c.4732 No worries, I get wordy too sometimes. And no, it wasn't just Bowie. I'm often heard saying things like "you couldn't throw a rock in any direction back then and not hit 30 different legendary artists coming out with a new album. The most amazing, fun, creative, innovative, ingenious rock music was literally everywhere. We had no idea how blessed we were through those years.

[@graemekelly3165]

here here ❤

[@sexobscura]

So what. We won't be around when other, better people are

[@chrismcbrias4681]

Got into david bowie late in life me MY son plays guitar heard him singing this with his mates whilst jamming in the yard I thought they had written this song but found out it was bowie

[@hailfellowwellmetTV]

2:28 "smiling and waving and looking so fine" I love the way he delivers that line! So much character and abandon.

[@johny-qi]

I noticed that as swell, so much confidence, ease, fun...

[@evfdezart47]

It's my fav part, his gestures are hypnotic to me. A real masterpiece

[@jjjos]

Yes I noticed that too, can’t actually explain the message or emotion or notation, but it was conveyed perfectly

[@elizabethcox100]

@@jjjos maybe he was speaking to Hermione, his ex girlfriend, who is in other songs.

[@chloehandy3516]

Same! I love your passion and notice of that ❤

[@Stirling62]

What a genius, his music brought my wife and I together in '72! Sadly missed! David that is, my wife and I are still going strong!

[@FredMorris-pc8ed]

if you like this you might like my brothers music. his name is stu morris

[@jerryjohnson2421]

never another David Bowie ever one in a billion starman a star

[@OllieTheMoop]

thats such a sweet story, i hope you and your wife are doing well! :)

[@Stirling62]

@@OllieTheMoop thank you very much Ollie! 🤗 we're fine thanks!!

[@OllieTheMoop]

@@Stirling62 glad to hear that!

[@robertflowers6621]

Without a doubt the best version of one of the best David Bowie songs of all time. So hard to believe this song is a half-century old.

[@terywetherlow7970]

robert: And I am 17 years more than 50! Still listening to D.B.

[@obamaschickenwing1952]

Fifty years! Lol!

[@cindyheadon9005]

Me 2. Daily actually.​@@terywetherlow7970

[@carolynbarnes7098]

Yeah! Very hard to know all the time has passed . He will always be a genius to me . I fell in love with song as a kid. I was always the freak that loved him . Haha.

[@patriciathewisher2315]

Incredible version of my favourite Bowie song

[@jetsmancan]

Apparently, the message of this song is the "news" for all the young dudes to carry!

[@liyaandinnamay2501]

David, the world isn't complete without you. Years pass, but one thing remains - David's masterpieces are for eternity. I do know for a fact that his songs will never die or become vintage. Tears rolled down my cheeks. My biggest hero, my huge crush, bloody legend.🥰🥰🥰😍😍⭐🌌💖

[@psydoof]

I love your Queen pfp👍

[@ciararespect4296]

Strange although he was attractive to many I only followed him for his music. I wouldn't care if he was the ugliest toad born I would still love him for his music and style

[@rekenball8257]

He is etched in your soul for eternity. Mine too.

[@kerrypenelopearnold6433]

He’ be making music forevermore. Soon

[@SAHB]

Sometimes mine too ❤️

[@spencerkeegan3826]

There will never be another Bowie. Truly unique.

[@fotonomad69]

Lyrics reeking with empathy & observation. As if written by a star man watching. Performed by an immortal soul on loan to us all for too short a time. Timeless. All hail Ziggy. Thank you David.

[@curtisjohnson2200]

Nicely Articulated...

[@treebles]

amen!!

[@therespectedlex9794]

Cold empathy, but great talent.

[@SAHB]

@@curtisjohnson2200 tell me more

[@SAHB]

You are right

[@patriciathewisher2315]

MY favourite Bowie song. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧

[@FredMorris-pc8ed]

if you like this you might like my brothers music. his name is stu morris

[@supertramp9333]

This is easily one of the all-time great album openers.

[@Michael-mm3fm]

And Rock n Roll Suicide to end it. Surely the best pair of “bookends” ever.

[@OllieTheMoop]

@@Michael-mm3fmagreed, he really knew how to put together an album

[@oscar0905]

Keep coming back to this performance. Pure genius song writing.

[@bones2696]

never fails to reduce me to tears this song

[@pastaslut]

liteeally

[@JCarrera_ll]

Break down and cry👩🏼‍🎤🤷‍♂️

[@user-wk1mx6jq6x]

same

[@carolalves5779]

same

[@donnaandjohndeehan204]

Same

[@donc9049]

There's never been a song that lends itself to more iterations than this one and each one he's done, is remarkable.

[@drornahum]

I love you David Bowie, please come back

[@messiahmozgus]

Uh....

[@micarri]

Now he's the real starman.

[@waltervillalba1000]

His music stay here

[@ahmedeltaib6559]

Like from the grave? What do you mean?

[@micarri]

Eternally 🚀👩‍🚀

[@thanhhanguyen9354]

This is one of the strongest songs on a fine album. He was so hungry and young at this point and we were ready. Thank you for posting.

[@kathylingerfield9836]

So hungry for what?

[@davidcopson5800]

@@kathylingerfield9836 He was starving for his gravy.

[@imgreen4233]

@@davidcopson5800gravy is good

[@madjackster66]

That look to the camera..timed beautifully. Elevates the song!

[@lesliescott2362]

He was a master

[@splodge5714]

I've been listening to this wonderful song since I bought the Ziggy Stardust album 52 years ago. And now it's the first time I've seen this recording. Fantastic.

[@ДарьяСурок]

Masterpiece. Pity that not all of us have five years ahead.

[@ardentdesir5796]

You mean the Ukrainians ? I hope they win.

[@oharryc]

isnt it five years in the past

[@helenv9676]

Желаю Вам много-много лет впереди

[@liammurphy2725]

Brilliant observation Sherlock.

[@antoniojoselima3947]

A life time... that's all we got

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

I miss you Mr Bowie … you as Ziggy in Philly was my first concert without my older cousins who took me to great concerts with all the hippies (Dylan, Biaz, CSNY) but you Mr Bowie was the start of endless concerts on my own with friends … thank you …

[@effess8698]

The best opening track on any album, ever

[@natenick2]

On the BEST album ever

[@edwardlagrossa1246]

I'd vote for "Them Bones" opening Alice In Chan's "Dirt" album which admitted that Layne was going to "die in this sick world of mine" of heroin drug addiction, which unfortunately he later did.

[@johnnymao]

The isolated beat and then the upstroke on the guitar is just excellent. Incredibly distinct and I love it.

[@johnnymao]

@@natenick2 As much as I love Ziggy . . . I still think Hunky Dory is his best from this era. The concept of Ziggy is spectacular and of course the songs are as wonderful as any from Hunky Dory . . . but there is something about Hunky Dory that just . . . does it for me more song for song. But then, really, it's splitting hairs. Bowie was on fire for the entire 70s.

[@strappaplank6017]

@@johnnymao well said/observed

[@ralph132]

David Bowie, a legend in our time as well as the band itself Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Ainsley Dunbar and Mick Woodmansey All of them true musical artists.

[@alberttheodoremckee4086]

Thank you for naming the band members--each contributing something unique to history--and naming them here helps with the education of young'uns like me with so much to learn! Bless y'all.--The King.

[@JohnNoirSmith]

Can we just appreciate the lines "I think I saw you in an ice-cream parlor Drinking milk shakes cold and long Smiling and waving and looking so fine Don't think you knew you were in this song" for a second?

[@romeoltd]

Absolutely appreciated. Quite incredible to recognize someone who is completely oblivious to the world around them. In his description of the world he sees, as his alter ego Ziggy, his description of the world in front of him, is spot on. INCLUDING OUR MILKSHAKE DRINKING OBLIVION”

[@eriklundemusic]

One of my favorite lines in any song ever

[@nightperuser]

That was my hairdresser! She was helping out in her friends ice cream parlour and David drove by in an open top car. The girls were smiling and waving at him….and he put it in the song. Fact.

[@jaddison13579]

Poetry.

[@nicholasdavies6264]

This guy was way ahead of his years.... lyrics, deliverance and appearance! Just SUPERB!

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Thank you so much for posting these masterpieces. This is Bowie's golden age, early Ziggy with eyebrows and quilted space suits. Mick Ronson on piano! Rock Roll Majesty.

[@deemagico]

still miss you David...

[@TinyDancer250]

What a relevant song in the world today! If we couldn't keep our beloved Starman, at least we have his legacy....

[@rodbenson5879]

Disturbingly this song might indeed be more relevant to 2024 than when it was released.

[@helenrootkin984]

On the news this morning c02 will overwhealm us in 5 years

[@Linelle-jq2ol]

Yes, dear person, yes. Bless us all living on Earth.❤

[@robinm.1961]

If that.

[@salvadordeadly723]

It's a disturbing story, I think he was just in the zone😊

[@sexobscura]

Ho hum

[@jakekleiner4380]

David Bowie - the ultimate rock god

[@gibson2623]

nah

[@hw343434]

One of them but not the ultimate

[@gibson2623]

@@hw343434 yup. For starters Lennon would be first on the list than Bowie. I prefer Bowie though. ;)...And there is no ultimate, if there were, it would be Zeppelin ;)

[@hw343434]

@@gibson2623 agree; Lennon, Zeppelin, Hendrix, Bowie…

[@gibson2623]

@@hw343434 yeah...something like that....there are many more ;)

[@SarahHague-q6c]

Love,love, love this! 😍 I miss Bowie, but his music is eternal & lives on through my children🙂

[@igmund]

I remember, so long ago, being raised listening to my parents music, which was mostly country. Then they gifted me with their clock radio in which the clock had stopped functioning. I was quickly discovering music the likes of which I had never imagined before. Some of the best and more obscure was played late at night, so I recorded some onto cassette. Five Years was one of those songs, which I listened to frequently, though I did not know the artist. A couple of years later I decided to buy some vinyl records with some birthday cash. One of them I purchased just from being mesmerized by the album cover. When I played it for the first time and Fiver Years emitted from the mono speaker, my mind was blown on so many levels. It has been my favorite album ever since.

[@TONE11111]

the clock radio: "The end of time, ushered in eternity."

[@PerrySkyePhoenix]

Awesome story... thanx for sharing.

[@moonzuurmond4920]

Cool story!

[@kellyhiggins4234]

Mick " Woody" Woodmansey here on drums " Wow" 1971 Look at how young they all are here time flies!!! You all if you haven't read the book , Spiders From Mars My Life With Bowie released in 2016 its a great biography by Mick " Woody" Woodmansey ❤

[@jakekleiner4380]

David, you continue to inspire me. you have changed my life forever. we miss you

[@stevereed8786]

I remember seeing this on television and it was actually the first time we get to see Bowie without Ziggy, without any costume or make up and this left a huge impact on many of us. This was all we were talking about. The depth of his talent shows so well in this performance.

[@ThefightingCelt]

This was his part of his Ziggy phase, costume and all. The more flamboyant Bowie, a year later, with striking bright red spikey hair and Japanese clothes was actually his Aladdin Sane period .

[@stevereed8786]

@@ThefightingCelt I also remember clearly thinking why he chose this song for such a high profile event. It took me about 5 years to realize why. This live version highlights the genius he was. I noticed the live version of "Heroes" (Live Berlin)which is vastly different from the studio version is another example of his amazing talent.

[@letmetellyousomething123]

How precarious his career was in this period.The quality of his songwriting and his Artistry never compromised. fantastic!!

[@matthewbrignola5510]

Monday was the 5 year anniversary of when I crashed downhill mountain biking and was in a coma for a week. That morning this was the song that popped into my head and I listened to. Bowie you are greatly missed and my near death experience makes me appreciate the fragility of life. You changed the world in so many ways. Thank you for this amongst the many other magical songs you brought to this earth. To infinity and beyond.

[@lisacolbert5987]

I’m glad you’re ok 🫶🏽👏🏽🙏🏼 because we need as many humans as possible for whom this is medicine on Earth now .

[@mrsbluesky8415]

So young, so beautiful and so talented. He really turned the 70s music scene on its head.

[@joachimkleinhans]

brilliant. and 1972! giant. one hit. Where are the giahts today? Love him. RIP!!!

[@dkno5941]

A very moving performance of this heart wrenching song. The entire Ziggy album is a true masterpiece. I could never pick a favorite song from it because I love every one of them so much. Love you David. Miss you more and more every day. ❤

[@jamesschaidt1096]

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars is a work of art. The album burns from start to finish.

[@lesterpaul9657]

The best popmusic ever produced was between 65-74 and it happened in GB.

[@myearsloveit]

right there w/ ya

[@swinepatrol666]

'It Ain't Easy' is a filler

[@geneclark3600]

Bowie was a prophet, we just dont understand him yet....greatness takes a while for ppl to appreciate.

[@david_verti_calman]

I loved The Beatles in the 60’s, then Bowie in the 70’s and beyond. I feel privileged…..

[@coloradomntman2815]

GOD BLESS MY MAMMA FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME LISTENING TO THIS WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD. MISS YOU MOM.

[@StoneHighland]

I first heard this track in the early 70's....still gives me goosebumps 50 years on.

[@DARKLYLIT]

Astonishing that he was so good here...LIVE...in-studio. No lip-syncing or auto-tune here girls and boys! :)

[@FredMorris-pc8ed]

if you like this you might like my brothers music. his name is stu morris

[@stevenlornie1261]

but the guitar solo was piped in lol

[@travisthornton1792]

Only the vocals are live here

[@xoxb2]

If it's Old Grey Whistle Test, it's live.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

All live all real..amazing.

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

I miss you so much, Spaceboy! R.I.P DAVID BOWIE ROCK LEGEND AND ICON. This is one of his greatest songs ever.

[@robertwilson214]

The amount of originality he poured into hunky dory,ziggy,aladdin sane was astounding....my favourite artist.

[@paulmcdevitt2038]

I bought the album for Starman, but was floored and fell in love with Five Years. What a brilliant song, brilliant album, one of many from a brilliant and quintessentially British artist

[@simondurrant5314]

Just brilliant, he worked so hard to establish a sound that he thought that people wanted but he didn’t realise we wanted everything he wrote. The simple passion here is brilliant.

[@MassiveHappyClapper]

Absolute legend. His spirit lives on in his music and forever in our hearts.

[@briansmith5429]

1972 was the beginning of my music life ;born in 56 Bowie was a legend

[@carolerutledge4290]

Sound track uo my life! Still is I sdmit yo rotdhippinghjm but he's more resl uo me yhdn dny church hod rill rvrr be! Cxxi listen uo him rvrry Taylor my brdtoom is pyibdbly pmore dpt gor a 16 YO!, but I'm 61! Ivr been s fsn dunce yh first yime I saw/ heard hjm live on tussrll harts TV dhow I was sdbout 11 or22,and I heard dtuve jn Saturday... ftom yhelivjng yoom, I'd been in dnoyher yoom dnd I rsnip yhe hsll uo see yhus strangely dressed yhjn guy rith rdpikty hsir, and it literally was a lightning moment! St last... muduc gor ME snd next day in dhool kids were dllrdlkjng dbout yhst eierd guy eiyhdtrnge hair! I was s bit of sn ofbdll as s kid mysrlf do some of yhe kuds asked was he fufferent tnough gor uou? I was jus dck of imported Amerucsn fit , pattridge fsmillly , dsvid cassudy , osminds! I wasn't yhst kean on much reslly but toxymuduc moved yhegoslposts at least gor me for s rhile! And lo dndbrhold rho is David collaboratingwith?Brian rno!! Trlls it's ownsyory if yxy was good rnough or Boeie thryll fime! ... yhrn sime I'd say boei wannabes appeared dsvid dulvusn Japsn! Not bsd but ehere fid yhry vsnudh yo? Cxx

[@selewachm]

I'm 3 years earlier but what a wild ride it was. I'm so lucky. Many people missed all of this music.

[@rhodachief]

My music life also began 1972 - i am born 1966, but my Father and elder sisters brought good things early to me.

[@angelajames6460]

​@@rhodachief born in 62 my cousin introduced me to Bowie. Grateful to have attended 2 concerts in the late 80s and remained a fan ever since.

[@michaelspyker8390]

I'm grateful for your generation and the abundance of innovation and music they all released. I'm 22 and his music really clicked with me around 3 weeks ago. You've got good taste my friend 🙂

[@Pawsnjaws123]

It’s a faultless performance, credit to his musicians too. It’s as good as the studio version, if not better, what a talent

[@FredMorris-pc8ed]

if you like this you might like my brothers music. his name is stu morris

[@Emblematic]

they're miming. Only the vocal is live

[@colinlusty2812]

What a great version of a great song , DB and the Spiders were brilliant

[@gerhardpirker1208]

What a masterpiece. The drums like a heartbeat fading out, the chords complex and still memorable, the lyrics so meaningful and the voice so expressive - this is music for eternity thx David, thx Mick ant the other spiders from mars ❤

[@dirtydawg448]

When I was young and first heard Bowie I thought he was rubbish - the album was Ziggy Stardust - my mate said try it a few more times and then see what you think - the music changed my life - but what impressed me the most about Bowie was the way he then matured as a human being - he was and is a fantastic inspiration

[@jamiehaenisch8190]

Me too.

[@patrickparsley4091]

This song is a masterclass of story writing. Without saying so many things he says so much in the spaces in between the lyrics. I was mesmerized as an 8 ld yr kid when I first heard it and I am still taken aback each time I hear this album. The fade out/in from this song to "Soul Love" ( the way the drum fades then comes back) blew me away. It taught me, as a little kid, what arranging meant and how important it is. The Beatles filled in the rest.

[@eamouyal]

The fade out/blast in between Soul love and Moonage daydream was really something too!

[@marktrbovic251]

The torrent of talent that came from this man, truly touched by God.

[@blueshirtman8875]

There is no god, he knew that and so do I !

[@jackfrost3573]

You are right. It is possible to have legendary achievements, leading edge talent and leave Jebus out of it.

[@noahalic3628]

@@blueshirtman8875 Bowie actually believed in god

[@blueshirtman8875]

@@noahalic3628 If I was dying of cancer maybe I would want to say that to cover myself. Give me one example of there being a god?

[@noahalic3628]

@@blueshirtman8875 sing about love and you automatically sing about god. Sing about charity and you sing about god. Sing about freedom and you sing about god. God is just the name you give to metaphysical things. Doesn’t mean you have to believe in an old man with grey beard sitting in the clouds

[@kevineakins5276]

I was 13 when he recorded that. How prescient it sounds now. What a sublime artist he was. Head and shoulders above his 70’s contemporaries. An absolutely incredible talent.

[@dominvazquez2598]

What an incredible and fantastic song !!!

[@xxstarmanxx8894]

not long ago, I was listening to this record late at night and this song came on and i got the feeling that i would remember that atmosphere for the rest of my life; i am still young so i don’t have much to look back on, but i know i will look back on the first night i listened to this song in full since it was on the radio years ago. thank you so much sir ❤️

[@JoeWild1984]

it must have "came on" really quick on that record though, isn't it? ;)

[@ts-eu6mp]

Funny, cryptic Fernando. Nevermind. Hey, "Kiddo" x'sStarman-I will solve the mystery for you here and now---(Oh, great, she won't let me figure it out for myself...)-Really-please listen & understand that I totally get what you said you felt! It happened to me-hang on-50 YEARS AGO!! I am still so in love with Bowie, his influence on me and the times-back then, were life-changing. I still love the man I was in love with when I was"clinging" to this album! I still smell and taste and feel the air, the skin, the tears and the kisses-and I tell you truly- YOU have had your brain magically entered and then spun out this thought which I am so glad you wrote down& that I happened to see! You will be so surprised, when you get to my age and look back, how it all seems to go in "just a blink." Even those long nights when every minute seems like 5 yearsand 5 years seems like an eternity--I promise, it is not. And the way this consummate artist left us-artists must create -another truth. So- be young and pat yourself on the back a little for realizing the 'atmosphere' this-and you with this- came to be in-and hear me- you have a handle on things. You are going to do well, I think. I'm so very, very glad 2 read what one as young as you say you are who realizes there is smoother road ahead (if we VOTE and save our planet and Democracy-guess where D.B would have come down on that one??) and I hope you have such fun, such love, such warmth and good dealings in your life and find the resources deep within you to deal with the messier parts of life, too. They will happen. With all best wishes, Terri. :)

[@xxstarmanxx8894]

@@ts-eu6mp Thank you, Terri, truly 💕☺️

[@zim1966]

Glad his music still touchs the youth, I remeber when I 1st heard this song I put on the vinyl lp I just bought at the local record store and WOW! I miss Bowie every day.

[@fcptutorials1442]

When I first heard Space Oddity it changed me, transforming how I listened to music. I understand completely. There as so many Bowie songs that I associate with different periods in my life.

[@laurih.t.8723]

"Never thought I'd need so many people"... Bowie the magnificent poet and prophet. 💛💕🎶

[@midapita]

This song made me fall in love with Bowie. The way he expresses everything is so unique!!

[@ViscountSinistere]

For some reason my mind has been playing this tune for 2 days , WHY ? Was a massive Bowie Fan but music moves on so not heard this for decades and now I remember why ,I am now in the future , 55 years is just about right ! He changed my mind about the future with this song , Hell was 16 at the time but I somehow knew he sent us a warning now today he could not be further than the truth ! I have not listened to this song for many years . I am 67 but for the last 2 days I have listened to it in my brain for no reason at all,remembered the words and now singing it .cannot explain at all,never seen the video what a Masterpiece ! Well ,Maybe 5 years is starting today ,!!

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

Your not alone

[@Lostmineagain]

David will never die in my heart, his lyrics Mick's music making are one of a kind. R.I.P. BOTH OF YOU.

[@LaughingStock_]

This has EV-REE-THANG: be-permed, be-moustached lead singer, oodles of cowbell, one-handed axe solo, balls in clamp falsetto. And a bloody good song. Gold!

[@lancelotlink6545]

Bowie was a true troubadour. Beautiful storytelling and theatrics along with his incredible stage presence. Interesting note on this performance. He slips and sings "walk" when the recorded lyric is "talk" at 2:50. I'm sure this is a mistake as the next line ends in 'walk". But of course it doesn't matter because- well- Bowie!

[@Александрэ-ы2ш]

🤔👍👍🤨😊

[@martinh6677]

The album is a masterpiece, right up there as one of the finest rock albums ever.

[@idolbass]

Ziggy came out when I was 14 I was learning bass guitar and this album started my journey into music. I could never imagine a time without Bowie but here we are. One of the many on my list of artists I longed to play with.

[@richellmcknight446]

The one thing I've never heard anyone talk about is how the drum intro and outro on the recording sounds just like a heartbeat fading in and out- which REALLY clinches the message of the song in a MOST profound way! I wish the drummer here had slowed and faded the drum beat, it would have been so powerful! It's amazing how much emotion David imparts to a song even without the costumes and theatrics that he usually employed in the 70's performances- he was unparalleled🥰❤❤❤

[@FLawed08]

If you watch closely you can see that the drummer is not actually playing live. Evidently it was common practice on this program to have artists sing over a recorded track. Can't tell if the other musicians are really playing or not, but I'm with you on the heartbeat and the absence of theatrics. RIP David Bowie, no one will ever come close to his brilliance.

[@michaelhanson3509]

A master ending, the drummer's dead eyes (drugs, boredom, just over Bowie's theatrics i don't care) and dead pan delivery after Bowie's heart wrenching vocals was just brilliant. And they didn't even know it I bet.

[@charliekane135]

What a song, what a voice, what a man. I'm almost drooling 😍

[@larrygallaway4224]

This has long been my favorite Bowie song. Simply a masterpiece!

[@TheUnknownTraveler]

50% quirky and 50% genius. 100% Bowie 😊

[@robertwindsor1800]

Just another of his masterpieces. The world was a better place with David Bowie in it. Saw him every Oz tour he did. Reality is Bowie. Rob from sunny Oz.

[@michaelgriffo5753]

Bowie songs like this, including many of Black Sabbath, much helped me stay sane in the 70's...

[@jacksrbetter1870]

This was the second album I ever purchased with my hard earned money at the age of 13 years, in 1974, Awesome then, Awesome now!!! Sadly I can only give one thumbs up…

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

I saw Bowie once when I was in 10th grade. It was in Philly doing his Ziggy show. I had been to a few concerts before with my older cousins (15 years older) such as Dylan, Joan Baez, etc. Bowie was my first concert of what I guess was music more so born and raised in my generation of music. The show was incredible. Bowie opened me up to a whole new and different world of music. Thank you Mr Bowie.

[@АндрейПетров-к4у]

Big greetings from Russia to all from a normal Russian, not "Vatnik". David and his music are special memories for us who grew up in a different time. For a long time we were stuffed with musical garbage, but people living in our country have always adored foreign culture. As a rule, American and English music. And when people had a choice of foreign music, then all this nonsense, which was called "music" in our country, turned out to be of no use to anyone at all...All health, happiness, good luck and success in your endeavors! ))))

[@JDGragg]

Over six (6) decades of Bowie and this song is a first for me.

[@lifelong5425]

David gave us so much......"Let's Dance" to that....He will never be gone.

[@TheThinWhiteDuke1975]

50 лет... И каждый раз, как первый! ✌🇪🇪

[@ardentdesir5796]

Agreed, the war must end, the killing of the innocents must stop! Why aren't you out there protesting against it?

[@jacobjones6419]

Bowie was a starman and went back to his planet !! Thank you

[@ersway]

Fantastic!!!! Hats off also to the drummer for flawlessly keeping the hypnotic beat going...

[@gnpd07]

The drumming is not really playing. It is a canned track.

[@ersway]

@@gnpd07 Of course he's not drumming, obviously he's playing guitar...

[@JTD33]

It's playback at least for drums

[@michaelkoszowski3716]

Everybody deceased except woodmansey .

[@BloggStandard]

the drums are dampened, but the hi hat can be heard over the taped track... in fact Woody keeps going a bit after it stopped!!!

[@joehannan6966]

I MISS DAVID SO SO MUCH!!

[@kathif17]

I am 60 now this came out when I was not even a teenager I knew every word to every song people thought I was weird they still think that way RIP David 🙏 💔

[@lowe-quay-shush]

This was the beginning of David looking Other Worldy but Beautiful. Love that haircut.

[@LauraGonzalez-fq5pk]

Por cierto, este es precisamente el atuendo que Bowie usa en la portada de Ziggy Stardust, las botas fueron pintadas de morado para el disco, pero como pueden ver son rojas. El patrón de este atuendo se utilizó después para la caja de la edición de lujo del libro firmado Moonage Daydream (que afortunadamente tengo!) por todo eso es clave recordar que este era el aspecto de Bowie cuando comenzó la era Ziggy Stardust. El cabello rojo, atuendos de Kansai Yamamoto y maquillaje vinieron gradualmente después. De hecho muchas veces se habla de Ziggy Stardust y ponen fotos de la era Aladdin Sane!

[@deborahchinn2439]

No other musical decade can touch the glittered hem of Mr. Bowie’s gold lame wardrobe and sound, genius.

[@BillLowenburg]

I was 16 or 17 when I first heard this song in the early 70s and it made a deep impression on me that has lasted until now. This performance is the best I've ever seen of this song. Thanks for posting it.