David Bowie on The Man Who Sold The World and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) / includes Lulu's version!

David Bowie on writing The Man Who Sold The World and about Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
This is part of an interview broadcast in 1996 on Dutch TV.
Video start with Lulu's version of the song. Then it switches to a small fragment of Kurt Cobain singing the song on MTV Unplugged after which Bowie talks about writing the song and claims he was 19 when he wrote it! In fact he was 23.
Full interview here: • David Bowie interview ...

[@francisfrain6385]

David Bowie was just 19 when he wrote that song. Holy shit

[@AgustinDavidF]

A Geniuos, period.

[@toninhopavan2]

Is that true? Damn... this music is fantastic

[@adamlindeman523]

@dezessete Without a doubt. What made him stand out more than most was how articulate and compassionate he was. He was also a damn good actor.

[@MetroPolo1]

He was 23

[@Honestly__now]

talented no doubt and wise for his age

[@coryklein84]

Bowie is the definition of why musicians are called Artists

[@Brummeo]

Musicians are called Artists. Bowie is the definition of 'why'.

[@coryklein84]

@@Brummeo wow bro. Good job on rearranging the words of EXACTLY what I said

[@Brummeo]

@@coryklein84 Exactly bro; rearranging the words I said. What good... Wow :)

[@coryklein84]

@@Brummeo hahaha

[@coryklein84]

You forgot the word "on"

[@nickfanzo]

Kurt bled his heart out on unplugged, it’s amazing.

[@michelguevara151]

can't stand it. maudlin smackhead pretending to be deep.

[@azdaze227]

@@michelguevara151 "smackheads" can be some of the most tortured souls on the planet. Amazing music doesn't come from a comfortable, happy life where nothing goes wrong. Find me a famous rocker who never did drugs and changed music as much as nirvana did.

[@kenon6968]

@@azdaze227 Frank Zappa.

[@brainatstake]

@@azdaze227 "sir this is a wendy's-"

[@katana2seppuku]

Im pretty sure during that show he was having withdrawals but he took another drug to keep him level. It’s so sad, how he got to the point of needing it to live

[@thomascharles44]

Bowie was a genius. He could write a sci-fi novel in a 4 minute song

[@Boatfam4]

I suppose he more-so captures the feeling of it more than the story itself

[@donk6985]

Metal Gear

[@mistertoast2552]

With Nirvana it sounded more Like a Ballad sang by an old man and i think that's beautiful

[@FuckGoogle2]

`Well he was nearing the end of his lifespan, an old soul.

[@koitorob]

To me it sounds like he just can't be arsed. It's frankly fucking depressing! I could easily see him taking his own life listening to it!

[@masa_g_]

wow dude, you should join him then

[@jonburrows2883]

I know Bowie was always cool but he looked incredible around this time

[@winterbird4447]

Good dental work and a lot of confidence.

[@dcrea9416]

Most people wouldn't look as good as he did if they did the amount of drugs he did

[@IzzyKain]

Clean and healthy. I love this period as well.

[@emilylidie5120]

he appears a young god in these years

[@Leonardo_Amaral]

Yeah, and he was almost 50 at the time, 48 actually, and looking pretty good even after all the drugs he used

[@jeanpaulsinatra]

Looks like his flirtation with Buddhism paid off, because it sure helped him reach nirvana. Thank you, I'm here all week

[@quadradomus]

Rimshot/bada-BING! Nicely played, Michael Wright.

[@jeanpaulsinatra]

@@quadradomus Radiohead weren't best pleased about it, tho. They turned him in to the Karma Police

[@jeanpaulsinatra]

Luckily he was able to hide out with a little help from Boy George

[@logankeystone1616]

🦋🤍😂👍

[@kewlbreez77]

...and afterwards his karma ran over his dogma...

[@conors4430]

I just think that Nirvana version is a masterpiece, musically, mood wise, the arrangement, everything about it. The guitar is just haunting and the bass scaling up and down is just unbelievably captivating

[@Kraluth]

I prefer the character of the original, but it's rare that any song has two legendary versions to choose from.

[@astroboy3002]

Nonsense

[@tigergreg8]

👍

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Conor S: True, it's the definitive version. As good as the original is Nirvana nailed it best.

[@RajHK8]

Yes. Even Kurt messing up the outro, it was perfect

[@russphilbrook9719]

I really like Kurt's and bowie's version but the whole unplugged album is still haunting sometimes for me to listen to and makes me sad cause I was around when that first showed on MTV

[@anda6963]

U bet.. I still remember the sad day l switched on mtv and heard of his death. This whole album is just pure my teenage years for me..

[@ericharmon7163]

@@anda6963 yup. I was 16 when I saw Smells Like Teen Spirit on MTV. By some weird timing, I caught its first airing. I dropped everything. I waited for it to come on again so I could record it and play it for my friends. I was a huge Metallica fan, but it is Nevermind, and Pearl Jams Ten, that was the soundtrack of those days.

[@adrianblack608]

I was working at The Alley in Chicago when he died. I was doing a shift when it was announced and I saw so much disbelief on everyone's face that worked there and who came in.

[@joshshrum2764]

It’s very haunting because it’s the last thing Kurt, ever did, and what pains me is he even said he was planning a new album at the Rome MTV unplugged.

[@joshshrum2764]

@@ericharmon7163 Alice In Chains, at all?.

[@Rhidalgo789]

I prefer David's version, but Nirvana did what very few can do successfully: make it their own. One of the best covers ever.

[@thebudgetgamer]

It often comes down to which version you heard first

[@Muzzle801]

I'm not into the "You're Faaaaayece to Faaaaayece" contrived pronunciation in the Bowie version. (says the Mancunian 🤣) Therefore Kurt takes this one for me on that and cutting the fluff out and making it acoustic. Overall though... Bowie wins for penning a song that's always going to be great whichever version you prefer.

[@raungelyubos1977]

Both version has an impact to music

[@LucyWest370]

@CrazyFish yeah Michael Jackson put a lot more stuff than most other people put in their cover with his Beatles cover. It’s really just his voice that changes the man who sold the world

[@epictetus9221]

@CrazyFish "Made it their own?" Right, instead he just played and sung it in his own style. :D

[@elduderinounemployed3438]

Is it just me or was Bowie like the coolest guy who ever lived? Even his looks, he's like an alien.

[@arsen5479]

He was one of the coolest for sure.

[@andibenson6834]

Speaking of aliens, was that Joe Satriani on guitar ? Sounded like him. Bowie could always spot the great guitarists. Stevie Ray Vaughn played on China Girl and Let's Dance

[@angelamaryquitecontrary4609]

You're right, he was. Facts!

[@chloefpuff]

You are right.

[@skullbleu8166]

A beautiful alien.

[@Yrrats]

I love it when artists have so much respect for each other.

[@barstow_]

Everyone’s talking about the unplugged version, you’re all sleeping on the live and loud version

[@hectormunoz9517]

@Sergio Balaguera yeah one he’s awing at the end it’s such a trip

[@LocalGambler]

Live and loud version is the best by far!

[@MarvinMonroe]

Speaking of that, the fast version Polly is great too

[@petestanton1945]

Woah thx 4 the tip all, never herd of L&L, def sleeping, will check it out

[@barstow_]

@@petestanton1945 glad to wake you

[@ohaleceiffel]

How is it that Bowie looked AMAZING every day of his life? The man barely aged, and then died.

[@mpgski9598]

You must have missed his cocaine addicted anorexic years. It wasn’t a good luck.

[@cremGeoff]

Still can't believe he's not with us 😞😓

[@RootinrPootine]

This was 25 years ago

[@jessesparks7424]

I remember seeing a picture of him right when Blackstar released. Everybody commented on how amazing he looked, and he died a couple of days later. The man was ate up with cancer and still looked like a million bucks.

[@eliteteamkiller319]

That bone structure was godly.

[@ceciliale8240]

Nirvana’s cover is and always will be my favorite. Haunting and beautiful. RIP Kurt

[@abrahamhernandez8959]

I do prefer Kurt Cobain/nirvana cover so well performed 🎭

[@TheAceaclubz]

I honestly think Kurt took that song and made it his own and perfected it, he was a huge Bowie fan and I think it was his way of showing his love of Bowie’s music

[@Ac0ustics0ul]

I love the McCartney esque bass line in Nirvana's version

[@blackwash]

Yeah love that too... That's actually in the original Bowie version.

[@DrDomich]

I love McCartney-esque in your comment

[@scottworkley2046]

For sure.

[@duaneday5474]

Awesome guy's!

[@nomchowski8297]

Yeah, Nirvana songs in general have the same level and quality as the best Beatles songs or Bowie songs.

[@marezzare76]

"He wrote it again". Unconsciously, Bowie gave credit to Nirvana. At the end this song resurrected in another essence thanks to Nirvana. This made Bowie's genius more obvious to everybody and Nirvana's immortality more intense. Thanks for posting this interview.

[@Vingul]

yeah yeah yeah... let's not get too excited eh

[@astroboy3002]

Pft

[@samsmith4216]

I picked up the same thing. Not many artists have shown in one mistake the proof his ego let the song go and the respect he had for Cobain's take on it to a point he could have written it. Love Bowie.

[@kremasag6612]

@@Vingul elitism isnt a good thing, especially when your david bowie is showing otherwise

[@Vingul]

@@kremasag6612 do you know what elitism is?

[@jessiehermit9503]

Kurt's version makes me feel like he's calling _himself_ the man that sold the world, but I don't get that feeling from Bowie's version.

[@domcusco360]

Very very true

[@misha9604]

Great inference wow You're right

[@jamesvancam]

Bc his death made it ever so eerie, that's why I love it. It is a haunting reminder..

[@Banewasright]

I actually feel the opposite, I feel like he’s talking to the man who sold the world

[@domcusco360]

@@Banewasright I think he's meeting someone else, then in the chorus he says in his head to him "you're face to face with the man who sold the world" so it sounds like he's the man who sold the world

[@peach_total]

what’s wild to me is that bowie’s musical career extended beyond kurt cobain’s entire life, both before and after

[@PantomimeHorse]

That's an insightful comment, thanks.

[@misterwtf7380]

Bloody hell that's a good point

[@alanmalcheski8882]

And yet he's not really famous. He's like, Tony Danza famous.

[@misterwtf7380]

@@alanmalcheski8882 ????????

[@alanmalcheski8882]

@@misterwtf7380 He was big, back in the day, and then he wasn't in anything big for decades. He's Bob Dylan famous. Better? It's not like Tony Danza isn't famous.

[@yankeeclipper28]

Still to this day, David Bowie, just incredible across decades.

[@joshshrum2764]

Expect a pretty bad 80’s catalog, but still yes i agree.

[@yankeeclipper28]

@@joshshrum2764 Let’s Dance 🔥

[@Boppsta712]

Everything on Blackstar is excellent

[@TheseBitchesWantNikes]

Awesome profile pic

[@NK-bz9wb]

Deftones ain't too shabby either

[@orestmakar8562]

Kurt’s vision of this song is so well performed that it seems like he has written it, knowing what his life will come to and how it would ultimately end. The stage setting the mornful chelo and the sorrow in his voice make this song the anthem of the tortured artist and romantic disillusioned about reality but holding on to his ideals to his last breath.

[@apope06]

Beautiful writing here

[@yukoncornelius6176]

I agree. That’s always been my interpretation anyway. Also the junkie mindset plays in too, addicts literally will give up anything for their fix. Kurt was no different and was known for romanticizing and justifying his addiction. Yet another reasoning behind that line might be a callback to the old phrase “sold his soul to the devil”, that Sammy Davis Junior was known for. Selling your soul is like the be all end up moment in messing your life up right? Well, Kurt didn’t just stop at his soul. He sold the WHOLE ENTIRE world in this insane hyperbole. Or he could be saying that he sold the world on his ideals and mindset? Which is probable considering Nirvana defined an entire generation. Then it’s followed up by “oh no, not me I never lost control” which is telling you he never lost control, but the truth is he never had it in the first place. And maybe didn’t even want it. In the following section he says, “I could’ve swore I died alone a long long time ago” which could be a reference to the concept of ego death. Kurt was a Buddhist (obviously) and the concept of Ego Death is a reoccurring theme in Buddhism. And if my guess is correct, and you know anything about that religion, then he definitely wouldn’t have wanted control, or fame, or wealth, or anything other than his predestination/destiny. The timing and expression in his voice are what makes this track stand apart. Kurt was a genius Eccentric who understood language is a very malleable thing, albeit being very troubled as well. In just three lines (THAT HE DIDN’T WRITE HIMSELF, MIND YOU), just interpreted. He was touching on topics and feelings that millions of books have been written about and couldn’t quite capture. So next time someone tells you Kurt was just a junky or dumb or that his lyrics make no sense, then you can show them this. If someone claims to be a fan and says that nonsense lyrics bullshit, they’re dead wrong and missing the point. Nirvana deserves all the credit they get and he will forever live on as an enigma. They designed the entire band around stirring up controversy and making people think a little.

[@tedl7538]

Lovely description, Orest.

[@nycriotgrrrl6110]

Just because you're paranoid. Don't mean they're not after you-Kurt Cobain/ song: Territorial Pissing

[@alexanderlindsey7134]

Its like he knew Courtney love was about to murder him

[@x0rn312]

What's fascinating about this is you can see David Bowie get low-key emotional when he talks about Kurt Cobain

[@aleidadigregorio6581]

The nirvana cover is what got me into Bowie, and all the versions of the song give different vibes, different feelings, it's like when in ancient times people would not write tales but only tell them, so that the stories got a little bit different everytime they were told.

[@SemiglossOyster]

Just like Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt, the shift in perspective from a young energetic man to one at the end of his rope changes the feel and meaning almost entirely. Both beautiful covers rewrite the original creators art, can't think of many covers that feel as raw like these.

[@johncollins211]

Yeah Kurt's was a shift to someone young and at the end of his rope.

[@LMB925]

RIP to you both. Two of the greatest. I hope people are still listening and talking about these great men in 200+ years. Never will they be able to understand their impact to those living in the same world.

[@shoesncheese]

Nirvana's Unplugged version is played from deep within the soul. You can feel it in your heart and in your gut. It's personal. It is more than song in Kurt's voice; it is a prayer, a confession. It's alive. Bowie is a genius and his voice and talent are irreplaceable, but Kurt found a connection to something that even Bowie didn't know was there when he wrote it.

[@elataweebe8100]

Absolutely, very well summoned.

[@selenium-ai]

Exactly! Well-said - Kurt sang it so convincingly that it sounds like he wrote it!

[@melaskan7286]

Kurt and Bowie are some of the biggest influences and (kind of) role models for me so hearing this is really something

[@justina7300]

2:19 damn they didn't let him get out of frame for a split second haha

[@donnamariedavidson5065]

Lol that was funny

[@Quintinu]

Lol I didn’t see that

[@HooliganDeem]

To be fair, this is also a close-up of the actual footage. The subtitles are Dutch, which I speak, and there is clearly another line missing each time.

[@justina7300]

@@HooliganDeem The full interview is in the description.

[@NitroCigarette]

''HE'S GOING FOR HIS DRINK TRACK HIM''

[@mikecross1474]

I did not know Lulu had covered this tune. God it's shit.

[@rianpuckett8540]

yeah actual dogwater

[@blood3agle564]

Haha agreed

[@blood3agle564]

I thought it was decent at first then she went, "OhH nO" and I was like, "shit. 🙃"

[@anakinskywalker70]

Thanks for writing this comment so I didn’t have to

[@fajam00m00]

Honestly, even the live Bowie one at the end comes off overdone and pretentious. I like his record version though. But yeah, you just can’t beat Unplugged in New York.

[@thenationaltimelyactionhou9328]

David Bowie was 19 years old when he wrote an incredible song. I’m 22 and still trying to finish my first book!

[@googelle7555]

David's bassist, always forget her name, but what talent ... ❤

[@mediagroove]

Gail Ann Dorsey

[@damonhines8187]

@@mediagroove thank you, I had the first two parts right-ish; at least I was right that Gale Anne HURD is a movie producer: the Terminator series, the Punisher films, Aeon Flux, Tremors, Armageddon and the Abyss, among many more

[@michaelw6277]

I think I like Cobain’s take on the song for the same reason I’ve come to prefer Johnny Cash’s version of ‘Hurt’.... they’ve stripped the shine from the songs and drilled into a rawness that the writers didn’t see their own songs. Trent Reznor’s ‘Hurt’ just sounds angsty to me now while Bowie’s version of this song has a glitter to it that seems inappropriate.

[@zeallie9992]

I see them as two sides of the same coin. NIN version is that of a young man trying to figure out life and all it's pitfalls and Cash's version is an ode to the life he lived.

[@JaredDeinlein]

Well said 👏

[@johnmcminn9455]

There may be a reason his "new version is so weird! First of all ,Nirvanna made it a hit in 1993, Bowie didn't need to out do Cobain, because he left tat era behind and acknowledged Cobain as giving a new life to the edginess of the tune. He responded with a version that shows exactly where his sound was, when ever this was filmed, and how much he changed to exactly what you said . A polished songwriter with more of a pop commercial appeal ! I get the impression Bowie felt he could do as weird a version as he wanted, and show off the more mystical side of the tune

[@StEvEn420BrUlE]

Cash's version of hurt sucks

[@HorseloverFat1984]

@@StEvEn420BrUlE Big Lebowski, just like your opinion gif...

[@devingrubbs]

The performance at the end sounds like Metal Gear Solid music. Cool to hear Bowie's thoughts on the song and Nirvana's version, though. Crazy that he wrote this song at age 19!

[@XTorinX]

Well in MGSV, they used a cover of this song by Midge Ure which is by far my favourite version of this song.

[@joshshrum2764]

It’s literally in Metal Gear Solid 5.

[@joshshrum2764]

@@XTorinX Midge Ure’s version > Kurt Cobains version > David Bowie’s version.

[@devingrubbs]

@@joshshrum2764 Yeah but I mean this particular rendition sounds a lot like MGS2 bgm that plays when you're sneaking around.

[@janejones2727]

I fell in love with David Bowie in the 70s when I was around 7 years old. And I still love him. And miss him!

[@Stoneheart_sapphireeye]

I love Bowie and Nirvana's version of this song. Bowie sang like he was telling the story of a guy who meet a man who sold the, as a kind of radio storyteller from the beginning of 19th century( whats make sense, since he is the writer of the song) and Kurt sang like he was the guy who had been face to face with the man who sold the world, as someone who impressed him so much that he can't forget. Perhaps, because of his state of mind at the time, Kurt had some sort of sadness in his voice when he sang it.

[@xcphonetic9318]

3 weeks later everyone's getting this in their reccomened

[@sentientidea1780]

lol m2k

[@xcphonetic9318]

@@sentientidea1780 ayy

[@elmo7608]

Yep

[@danielwarren3138]

Lol

[@guy_in_the_moon]

Yep

[@gregthackray]

It's David Bowie's song but I like Nirvana's version, I must admit. I watched that Man Who Fell To Earth, other night. First time I've seen it as an adult. I was listening to Nirvana's BOTBS earlier, while lifting weights too, though I'd completely forgotten it was Kurt's birthday! I feel like they've both gone home now. Kurt had those alien blue eyes, even as a kid and felt like he was an alien baby which had been dropped off, and David Bowie had that otherworldly look and presence too! : )

[@mjt1517]

And persona...don't forget Ziggy Stardust.

[@justinw1765]

Believe it or not, but a smallish percentage of Souls in human form, came in from other very different systems and groups. I used to have repeating dreams from age 4 to 5 I was on a spaceship and traveling from some place very far away to earth with a definite sense/feel of purpose. Then later other dreams, then experiences started to happen. Then confirmations and synchronicity with talented intuitives. And I also have unusual eyes. One of the "give aways" of these types.

[@gregthackray]

@@justinw1765 Hmm. A lot of pple seem to be aware of havin' similar lucid "dreams" these days. Annie Lennox is another with a similar kind of energy too. ; )

[@justinw1765]

@@gregthackray Lol, or maybe it's a Capricorn thing... 3 out of the 4 people mentioned are Caps--Bowie, Lennox, and I (and, oddly enough Bowie and I share the same b-day).

[@ewan80]

@@justinw1765 no one cares that you're off meds.

[@DTM-Books]

I sure miss David Bowie. Still shocked that he's no longer with us. The universe is blessed to have him among the stars now.

[@zoezzzarko1117]

What Kurt did for Bowie's song.... is the same as what Gary Jules did for Mad World. They both made their remakes... ethereal ❤💜💙💚💛💗

[@questionblock8949]

Bowie wrote this sold at age 19. That is incredible

[@tonyboleno8191]

that would mean he wrote it in 1966 and didnt record it for 4 years for some reason. its possible i guess, but i think bowie is slighly exaggerating here.

[@PathofCultivation]

And Cygnet Commitee

[@christineharrelson4831]

@@tonyboleno8191 Not at all. I have songs that I wrote years ago that I'll dust off and see if they're viable for revision/release. Most musicians have a lot of unfinished products to work with, and from what I understand Bowie was a very prolific writer in general.

[@tonyboleno8191]

@@christineharrelson4831 possible i guess. still, i dont believe it.

[@epictetus9221]

@@tonyboleno8191 Random

[@wizardmix]

The performance at the end is the most 90's seasoned musician thing I've ever seen. Every musician who had soul/feel in the 60s, too much drugs in the 70s and a lingering coke habit that ended in a Betty Ford retreat the 80s ended up with sunglasses, a curly mullet, digital slabs and a Parker Fly playing round theaters in the 90s.

[@devingrubbs]

LMAO I'm dead

[@gilmourvibes9078]

Haha that solo killed me

[@robbieclark7828]

@@gilmourvibes9078 god damn Adrian Belew over here with the solo lol

[@juliusebola9389]

haha

[@adyanneameh8648]

Aye what performance was that

[@evilcowboy]

Anyone ever notice Bowie had a way with words not only in his songs but in his actual speaking. Very elegant person.

[@murderc27]

I love Bowie for his humility even as basically the biggest star ever.

[@laflame4473]

The song that got me into Nirvana and a sense of happiness now I cry when I hear it... why is that? Who knows... not me...

[@eclectic505]

You looked into his eyes... thats why..

[@columbodalmas2800]

A friend of mine saw Bowie at Irving Plaza late 90s early 2000s and Bowie Played "The Man Who Sold The World" and all these kids screamed "OMG he's covering Nirvana!" And they weren't trolling. It always gives me a painful laugh when I think about it. Poor guy.

[@nehemiahzo_]

Nirvanas cover was amazing but that’s pretty funny lol

[@zabity]

David 'Poor Guy' Bowie

[@johnnydarko6187]

Kurt even says “that was a David Bowie song” right after playing it in MTV Unplugged ffs!

[@koitorob]

I think that just shows their age. I thought the same when i heard his version, but i thought he was covering Lulu. I'm 55. Her version came out when i was 9

[@kwabenabruni]

I was sitting in a theater once when Landslide came on and the girl next to me said "who is this covering Smashing Pumpkins"! lol

[@broncanomix2967]

Songs are like souls moving from one host to another.

[@kennethlatham3133]

I.....love....that. You nailed it. If you made that up, you're a bit of a genius. I'm going to pass that on and credit you. Songs and songwriting are my main passion in life.

[@broncanomix2967]

@@kennethlatham3133 My passion too. Stay with it. Or, it will stay with you!!

[@CatharticCreation]

love this, what an underrated comment

[@Eamonproductions-yg5jc]

Long live them both. Absolute powerhouses

[@Dadaadad268]

😂

[@AndyAcker]

I didn't connect with everything he did in the 90's, but always respect Bowie's viewpoints and willingness to embrace change and exploration.

[@karendavis5449]

How fortunate, even though it was so brief, to be in this world for this. Bowie to have written it and Cobain to have re-recorded it and played on Unplugged-such an iconic song and time it became. RIP DAVID AND KURT

[@nickknight5543]

Saw Bowie twice. Once solo in 1987's Glass Spider tour (with Peter Frampton on guitar) and once in the early 90's with Tin Machine.

[@tyememesterokwhy2974]

Kurts has the effortless voice that gives the songs so much meaning

[@megansaltzman1815]

Bowie is drop-dead gorgeous

[@flyingardilla143]

He was about 48 in that interview.

[@questioneverything0]

Kurt really does that song justice and I think David realised this. He really made it his own. There's not many covers I prefer to the original, but nirvana's version of the man who sold the world is the best, in my opinion.

[@mikemole1167]

Kurt took a couple songs and made them his own. Man who sold the world, and I love her, where did you sleep last night . Amazingly talented soul

[@that_deadeyegamer7920]

His Leadbelly cover always gives me chills.

[@MJraviteja]

And i lover her❤️

[@Croissantrophy.meme.channel]

Also Love buzz and Turnaround, and the meat puppet covers he did in the unppluged

[@AS-lk8sb]

The lead belly cover is beautiful

[@featheryfemme]

And Love Buzz from Bleach and a few songs on Incesticide.

[@tedl7538]

Stunning piece of video in every way, thanks so much for posting!

[@GuitarHeroPhenomSux]

Would've loved to see Nirvana cover more of Bowie or even some Beatles songs. I think Kurt would've gave an excellent rendition of Ashes to Ashes or A Day in the Life.

[@macaroniart7523]

She said she said Would've been awsome

[@chemistryset1]

@@macaroniart7523 hell yes, top nomination - one of the Beatles most intense and best songs, yet I can totally imagine Cobain covering it.

[@derekmudd9331]

Ahh Kurt doing ashes to ashes would've been amazing

[@jsmoker10]

He does a cover of And I Love Her

[@rmv9194]

No, he wouldn't be able to pull off ashes to ashes, too technical for him. Or he would have made a crappy only power chords version.

[@ExMachina70]

Though I like Cobain’s finished version this takes nothing away from Bowie’s creative design.

[@heathernks8]

I got chills watching Bowie perform this again!😍

[@spicymcchicken2272]

This honestly has to be my favorite version of the song , just for the fact that its so mystical and trance - like , to me it makes the song hit in a way that shapes the story to be so eerie and mysterious I love it ❤

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

I never knew this was a Bowie song. As they say, you learn something new every day.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

As a guitarist my dream is to play that bassline just before the chorus....it's wicked!!! (Nirvana unplugged version)

[@Ravenholm337]

It still hurts that he's gone..

[@michaelbarnard3636]

Such a visionary artist, with immense talent, and yet he always possessed a down-to-earth soul. Miss him forever and I'm always inspired when I listen to his music.

[@jessica5497]

Bowie's songwriting is underrated af

[@heavymeddle28]

By whom? 🤔

[@jessica5497]

@@heavymeddle28 he's not an underrated artist as a whole. But his songwriting is, when people talk about Bowie they talk about changes ,exploration and fashion...they never talk about songwriting, bowie himself pointed to this, he found sad because he didnt care about fashion, everything was just caracters serving his vision as a songwriter, he didnt saw himself as a performer, more as writer. For example he was never invited for the songwriter hall of fame, different of many of contemporaries, i dont think he care that much, but It mattered to him more than any rock in roll hall of fame, so much so that he didn't even appear in his, and overall just fans who spend the whole stereotypical surface of (changes, fashion ...) To talk about his writing, few people even do that. That's my opinion, with some of his, and some songwriters anyway. Think what you want.

[@heavymeddle28]

@@jessica5497 I didn't mean to sound rude with my question. We're not so different. I'm born 71 and my big brother and sister played Bowie since I was a toddler too. He is my nr 1. Alongside led zeppelin and pink floyd. No. Im really curious. And yes... People put aaaaaall emphasis on his characters. Which is fine. But in my opinion it's like his songwriting is so good that nobody touches that subject. That's a given. Anyway... Last night... I have a small bar in Thailand and I put on "rock n roll suicide from the bootleg" a portrait in flesh" LA 74... People didn't even know who sang. One man and his wife said "this is beautiful. Who is it?" I said "elvis" and they believed me 😊❤️from Thailand 🇹🇭

[@kaiobikeg8749]

Hunky dory is such a great album.

[@killslay]

People sleep on the labyrinth soundtrack. Some real timeless, fun, catchy songs on that.

[@Sking-dk1wn]

Holy crap, this video is one month old? I can see it on my recommended vids 7 years from now.

[@CharlieDiamondMusic]

Superb, really enjoyed this!!

[@knaz7468]

I like both versions. My favorite version of Bowie singing this was on SNL. Really incredible.

[@mateuszzakrzewski8]

How dutch tv made so many interviews in 90s with most popular artists and bands at that time...

[@gunnerglory]

Because they were all there for the hoes and hashish

[@Kevin-iq1xc]

@@gunnerglory Am Dutch, can confirm

[@mateuszzakrzewski8]

Yea but like really how and why

[@fernandooliveira6493]

with a microphone and a camera

[@mentugo]

@@fernandooliveira6493 hm, you might be on to something!

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

I like the way Bowie 🎶 s your fice to fice with the man who sold the hworld

[@ibnrochd6078]

Thanks for sharing this with us... everything bowie touches becomes gold, you can tell he knows it but he uses all the tricks in the box to be as humble as possible, laughing it off as a silly joke of a 19 year old, etc, ...man what a gentleman, what an artist...

[@crby101]

The fact that Bowie accidentally says "and the time that he wrote it" sums it up perfectly!

[@phadrus]

Maybe not an accident but double speak.

[@amerocker]

Kurt Cobain and Nirvana popularized this song and rightly so. Their version is epic.

[@michaeloutlaw4223]

I think you mean to say "re-popularized" this song.

[@Mr__Snrub]

Maybe in the US, it was already a big hit in the UK and elsewhere via Bowie and Lulu’s versions

[@philipm06]

Nirvana was crap, Bowie's the man.

[@mossion]

@@philipm06 Bowie would laugh at you as he was a total fan of Nirvana

[@nycriotgrrrl6110]

@@philipm06 simpleton

[@tedbartlettvideochannel5740]

Anyone notice how the sound of this eerily reappears on his last album just b4 he died?

[@22448824]

Well noticed. You’re right

[@alextryniski8597]

The sound of what?

[@tedbartlettvideochannel5740]

@@alextryniski8597 its the eerie avant garde sound of the music and at times his vocals that are similar. If you cant hear it Alex dont worry its just my observation

[@alextryniski8597]

@@tedbartlettvideochannel5740 no I definitely hear it, just realized what you were talking about

[@Leilafart]

What a perfect ending.... nice

[@Saikotfriends]

What a great song, huge respect to David for this amazing song

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

2 spectacular versions of a magnificent legendary song

[@kevinmcguinness6526]

It's amazing how many of these incredible documentaries about music are from Dutch TV stations. I'm sure it's the same one, because it's the same kind of subtitles. They also did an amazing documentary on John Frusciante. I"m at the point where I'm half tempted to learn Dutch just to appreciate these incredible pieces of work.

[@regularsherlock6237]

Nirvanas cover did just exactly what a cover is supposed to do. Completely changes the song makes it feel completely different.

[@rap3208]

They actually did the song it exactly as David's original version

[@fitless]

I have to disagree. I love Nirvana's cover but Kurt only slowed down the rhythm, which might come across as a big change. Check out Seether's careless whisper or Billie Jean by Chris Cornell or the Bates. Well, that's when you tear apart the original song and make it your own.

[@joelsalminen5309]

I disagree. A good cover is unique and belongs to the band who made it, but keeps the spirit of the original song alive. A complete change and a completely different and new version doesn’t make for a very good cover all that often, in my opinion. And that is exactly what Nirvana did btw, their cover was definitely Nirvana’s version, but they had similar energy to Bowie’s original.

[@lamardavis1942]

@@fitless I have to disagree with this. The slowed down rhythm and Kurt's voice makes it feel completely different, as well as changes in instruments and general melody.

[@PortofinoArts]

Always the humble genius, David. Love the jazzy version heard here. OOTW !

[@Xaroni]

I remember watching Lulu's version on the telly at the time!!

[@honkytrousers]

He’s a beautiful man

[@eagleman1542]

Nirvana's performance of "The Man Who Sold the World" at MTV (Unplugged) in New York was the ultimate version of this song, in my estimation. R.I.P. David Bowie and Kurt Cobain.

[@jeanpaultomolillo2821]

OUI !!!!!!!!

[@eagleman1542]

@@jeanpaultomolillo2821 C'est si bon, mon ami.

[@entropyfan5714]

I got this album & ziggy stardust at a garage sale when I was very young; let's dance was on the radio at the time. I have been a diehard fan since.

[@zedzero77]

2021 and still talking about this song, beautiful stuff here 😋

[@osovagabundo1]

The SNL version with Klaus Nomi was stellar

[@chloefpuff]

I live and die for that video.

[@sorryfortheinconvenience]

Much respect to Bowie. Love his voice and music but Cobain absolutely takes this and owns it. RIP to both incredible musicians.

[@22448824]

I disagree. Nirvana adds zilch.

[@sorryfortheinconvenience]

@@22448824 I disagree. Nirvana adds a different vibe and the touches of feedback are rough compared to the cool slickness of The White Duke. Zilch? I disagree

[@alukuhito]

No. Nirvana did a nice version which I enjoy, but I will always think of this as Bowie's song, as I listened to it many times before I ever even heard of the band Nirvana, as I'm sure Kurt Cobain did too.

[@sorryfortheinconvenience]

@@alukuhito not sure I follow but no worries...to each is own. I listen to both and miss their musicianship equally.

[@Hollman36]

Every time Cobain covered a song, it became HIS song

[@EarlSmith2469]

I saw David Bowie perform this song in 1995 in Vegas (NIN was also on bill they did a Duet of HURT). Memories.2 Weeks prior I saw the Cramps first ever show in Vegas. Good times.

[@SexyWellness]

Still love you David. RIP. So happy I got see you at the very beginning performing Ziggy Stardust ❣️ Pure Magic!

[@toninhopavan2]

You can love or hate nirvana, but one thing they did right: They introduced david bowie to a whole new generation back then

[@alukuhito]

Um... All things considered, Nirvana was a Gen X band, and Gen X was very familiar with David Bowie.

[@toninhopavan2]

Yeah. Because lots and lots of young teenagers were deep fans of bowie in 1994. Yeah. Right Dont get me wrong. I saw bowie live when I was 16 in the 90's... but c'mon. All of my friends were there to see fucking no doubt!

[@alukuhito]

@@toninhopavan2 Nobody said anything about "deep fans". You didn't have to be a "deep fan" of Bowie to know of him back in the early 90s. Any given rock radio station played his music. He was a massive star in both the 70s and 80s, and he remained an icon until his death a couple of years ago.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

So did Vanilla Ice.

[@DD-gi6kx]

nirvana is to man who sold the world what jimi is to all along the watch tower they both took great songs by great artists and added their own vibe to them

[@nw6866]

God, I miss him. He is my fav male singer. I got to see his Glass Spiders tour in Philly and the whole first song I couldn't move because I couldn't believe I was anywhere in the vicinity of him. He is epic.

[@ChainsawDunDeez]

Kurts unplugged version was my favorite until recently...now its got high competition from Bowie with Klaus Naomi on SNL 1979..thank you youtube..

[@koitorob]

I've loved Lulu's version of this since the first time i ever heard it. Then some years later i read that David played the saxophomophone on the track and sang backing vocals on her track. Which was SO bloody obvious once i'd read that. Then after that i heard his copy of the song. THEN discovered that Lulu's version was the copy and David's was the original!

[@gamernotvalid9452]

Never even heard LuLu's version until this video nor have I even heard of her. That shit sucked idk what you're talking about.

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

Dude is using a Parker fly guitar. I miss mine like I can’t even describe. Best guitar I’ve ever owned.

[@DavidPiniella]

Reeves and Vernon Reid were the only ones I ever saw play those, and given how idiosyncratic and weird they both are it makes perfect sense. That's a really unique guitar. No one ever did it like Parker.

[@Bradgilliswhammyman]

Its a amazing guitar, I had the pleasure of trying one out back when Thoroughbred music was still around. must have been 25 years ago now.

[@ChrisTopheRaz]

@@DavidPiniella Actually you would be surprised how many artists recorded with that guitar. Even Trent Reznor uses it. Best guitar I’ve ever owned and when I picked mine up I walked in with the intention on buying a Gibson Les Paul ebony custom. After playing both side-by-side with a beautiful orange amp I walked out with the Parker fly deluxe and did not regret it at all. And I have a tattoo of a Gibson Les Paul Ebony custom if that says anything.

[@DavidPiniella]

@@ChrisTopheRaz I would assume that's Adrian belew's influence on trent, that makes sense

[@gdoggo2024]

I'll bet Bowie was happy with that live performance, the band was really tight. You'll always be my favorite musical artist, Bowie, RIP.

[@marccas10]

Knocked a few out to Lulu when the new catalogue arrived in my youth. Good times!

[@DaboooogA]

That version played in the outro is great

It came out as a B-side of a single from Outside back in 1995, I believe it was "Strangers when we meet". It was reissued last year in the "Is it Any wonder" EP. I think it's a live recording produced by Brian Eno who was producing 1.Outside back then. I love it too. ---> The Man Who Sold The World (Eno 'Live' Mix) [2020 Remaster]

[@SoilentGr33n]

I thought the same thing. That sporadic bass anchor is just fantastic. Reminds me a lot of the song Airbag from radiohead.

[@PeteOliva]

Blew me away, too. I had never heard that rendition. It's fantastic, I like the yet another character it gives the song.

[@groundedgameplayx]

@ Brian Eno is a genius, can't believe I never heard of that before!

[@Deanobucko917]

David Bowie and Gary Oldman both have aloof ways of answering questions.

[@Metoobie]

RIP David. I am fortunate to have grown up on your music, acting, and culture. Ziggy and Major Tom will live forever, floating, far above the world.

[@laserbeast8020]

millions of years later i just found out this was a bowie song right this moment.