Top 10 Best David Bowie Songs
David Bowie is so good and these are his songs that made him good.
I refer to the studio version of 1969: this is his first success, and althought I have a deep knowledge of his whole production, I can hardly find other Bowie's songs with such a wonderful melody and perfect vocal performance. Differently from all of the songs contained in the next albums until the Berlin trilogy, in my opinion this is the only Bowie's song which does not feel the weight of time. The vocal incipit "Ground control to Major Tom" is probably the most fascinating one in the history of rock music. What's more, in its first version Space Oddity was written down when David was about 20 years old... Having composed such a masterpiece at such a young age is probably the most significative proof of his witness.
This is an obvious pick. This and heroes are number one by along way. This song is magical and makes people think they are in space. Major Tom is a great character. Ground control to major tom your circuits dead there's something wrong can you hear me major Tom can you hear me major Tom can you hear and the beautiful song goes on. It's also bowies magical flamingo Spanish guitar that makes this song incredible. I love it how ashes to ashes is like a sequel to this song.
This song is hauntingly beautiful. You can easily picture Major Tom shooting off into space, the ground control echoing in the background. Then suddenly his circuit breaks. "This is ground control to Major Tom. Circuits dead there's something wrong". Makes you want to cry out. This person- who you've imagined floating around confidently- is going to die. And "Tell my wife I love her, she knows..." Makes it all the more bitter sweet. Shame he died, it was such an amazing song.
"Far above the world
Planet earth is blue
and there's nothing I can do"
-David Bowie; Space Odity
This is a masterpiece! This songs has practically everything - great lyrics, haunting voiceovers, a beautiful melody, that Spanish guitar and the foreboding atmosphere! My 6 year old son was scared when he heard this first time in the car. He kept asking what happened to Major Tom! Truly a masterpiece!
This song contains so much more than lyrics, but anecdote to life. It is the most unpretentious and exposed piece of music that addresses the reality of existence. It expresses what we are all too afraid to say, too afraid to confront - it is a philosophical exploration. Ironically upon hearing this work of art, it brings you back down to earth but with a grounding of truth. Worth the listen and worth the transcendent experience!
So many great songs but this is my favourite Bowie song ever. The Hunky Dory album was my introduction to Bowie as a young teenager back in the early 70's and I remember playing it to death with Life on Mars? as the standout track on a great album. 'Heroes' and 'Space Oddity' are up there as close runners for his greatest ever song but this will always be my favourite Bowie track and brings back great memories of my long lost youth. RIP m8.
This song...it's so beautiful! It's got so much power in it, so much emotion, so much...it's so amazing. How can you not just have a child inside that doesn't soften like butter upon hearing the chorus of this masterpiece? Rest in peace, David Bowie, you were so awesome!
Memories of my youth. I never quite understood the lyrics but it had greatness written all over it. Wakeman's brilliant analysis of the structure of the song shows that musically it was just as unusual and complex.
This is, hands down, the best song by David Bowie. As much as I love Space Oddity, Changes, and Fame, this is one of the most powerful songs ever written. The lyrics reflect a feeling of hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. I know this song's mainly about two lovers separated by the Berlin Wall and how they feel that "we can beat them, just for one day". It's sort of when two people who have been divided finally have their moment together, and they don't care what happens as a result. I sometimes cry listening to this song as well. David Bowie just screamed out these lyrics with all the emotions in the world. That's what made him such a unique figure; his raw emotion, passion, and intensity. There's never going to be another David Bowie.
Who hasn't tried listening to this song while going through a tunnel?
I'm just sad that I discovered this gem of a song through Perks of Being a Wallflower. But this great song could easily be fitting for such a great movie. And this tunnel song has been one of the greatest pieces of music I've ever heard. I'm glad that David Bowie existed during my time, my only regret being that I should have discovered him earlier.
Such a haunting, chilling song. I knew from first listen that it was about the Berlin Wall, but I later realized it was much deeper than that, it was raw emotion, it was his heart and soul poured out onto a paper with lyrics. The way he starts screaming the lyrics makes me want to scream with him, because this song touches me. It's truly beautiful. He moved us all to tears. (Or just me? I'm the only one crying? Ok)
Ground control to major tom? Brilliaint lyrics cearly that song is better then this? This song is about him being in a hotel by the berlin wall and seeing a random couple making out under a toe with a gaurd with a gun by the wall. Its his story for them to lovers who know they can not win but just wish to be heros just for one day. I like bowie I don't absoloutly love him like some bands and performers but this mght be the best song ever written.
"I watch the ripples change their size, but never leave the stream of warm impermanence. And so the days float through my eyes, but still the days seem the same. And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through."
I feel a deep emotional connection with this song.
The words and the way he sings this song makes it my favorite. After that, there are 20 Bowie songs that are my second favorite.
This is, without a doubt, one of my personal favorites. It's a beautiful song and it's something you can really get into.
I would label this as Bowie's signature tune because the lyrics describe everything that Bowie was all about.
One of those rare songs, along with the Gravity Falls theme, that I don't believe I will ever get sick of. It's so hopeful and comforting (and groovy).
Only at the 7th spot? This deserves to be at least in his Top 5 songs. It's the best song on "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars".
Starman... Don't you just LOVE that song... If you don't, then I will not be happy with you! Hope you do like it... So listen to me it's cool song!
My favourite from David! Such a classic and one of his best vocal performances!
The style, the energy, the groove... this song is pure bowie but a bit different from the rest of the other amazing bowie tracks. That is what makes it great for me, the songs SCREAMS bowie, full of vibes and that awesome brit feel, and despite being quite different from the usual bowie catalog, it is just the song that stands apart for me
I like pretty much every Bowie song, but ultimately this one stands out in my mind. Not only that, but thanks to this song and its correlating album, Ziggy Stardust is a household name.
The energy and emotion of this song along with the storytelling of Bowie fills me up with bliss. Totally underrated song
OK, it was between this and "Starman". Both are his best songs in my opinion.
Even just the bassline from this song was enough to give Vanilla Ice a hit when he stole it, and that was Vanilla Ice's only hit song. The epicness of Freddie and David's improvisations (those "um dum the de" etc started in a jam session) creates enough power for the buildings in the music video to rise up again.
No way should this be in. Simply get the Hunky Dory album and number it 1 to 10, that album is possibly the finest I have ever heard, bar none. Oh, and use the correct album cover please, not greatest hits, it an insult to all the original covers, ie. Hunky Dory. !
This is so great, the song written by David Bowie and performed by Freddie Mercury and David Bowie himself is a masterpiece of music mixed with legendary selection of words to make a rhyme. *pray hands*
Only legendary artists like Queen and David Bowie could produce a song so good. Not only the best David Bowie song, but one of the best songs of all time.
I love that this song is filled with various references which invokes multi-layer interpretation. Along the Picasso's pinks (roses), Bowie states his own view on being an artist and its position in society. Above that, I believe that his bitter sincerety is making this song so resonating. It is not only important because of the topic, but because of the way of speaking about it. I love it. It's probably my favourite David's song. Unique...
Song to be remembered from the first listaning. Unique and atmospheric. And the way Bowie crushed the legend he did create - no one ever did that, at least not in such painful way.
How it isn't in the top 10 I don't know. The lyrics are the thing that grab me, along with the music!
This blew me away when it charted in Aug 80. The song, the video, so different and amazing.
This song is so... haunting. The lyrics are crazy and the way they change the vocals are incredible. The instrumentals truly are something they must have thought about before doing, and the plot of the song is just so... haunting. It's all haunting. Listen to this by yourself. You won't regret it!
This magnificent, haunting, beautiful song went under the radar. But it's meaningful lyrics and amazing psychedelic guitar work made it my favorite song.
I love this song as well as the Nirvana cover I love the chorus it changes moods so quickly.
The guitar work in this is the catchiest and arguably one of the most iconic. Nirvanna even remade it. Clearly an amazing song that will be forever remebered.
This is currently ma favourite Bowie song and that's really saying something! Incredible contributions all round.
David Bowie: lead vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone, string/flute arrangements
Mick Ronson: electric guitar, piano
Trevor Bolder: bass guitar, trumpet
Mick "Woody" Woodmansey: drums
This is one of my favorite songs of David Bowie. I also get a Hotel California vibe from it, as well.
Another great song from the Guardians of the Galaxy awesome mix!
He looks so gourgous in the white jeans and no top and his moves voice are mesmerizing love that song..
A true masterpiece of the 80s, created by a guy from the seventies. He just wanted to prove a point to all of the hollow disco electro scene that he can do it better and deeper, and he did!
Such a hit, this tune has such an under-appreciated vibe. What a classic. So catchy, should be number 1
Simply a classic! So catchy! Should be in the top 5 at least!
Good, but overrated like Fame.
Possibly my favourite song of all time. Its desperate and frustrated vocals show my favourite side of Bowie's versatile and dynamic voice and the background orchestra is perfect. Despite being a short song, it feel like the personification of and anthem
This has got to be Bowie at his best. You can feel his heart and soul going into it from the first word to the last. Even though he has a long list of incredible songs, this is one of the few that manages to give me goosebumps every time I hear it, and I love it! The raw power and emotion of his voice is given off here more than any other song of his, so the fact that this is not even in the top 10 and it's my favourite of his, it has to have my vote. I'd also like to mention 'Fascination' from the 'Young Americans' album which is also amazing, yet not even on this list full stop...
Bowie pours his heart and soul into a few minutes of a heart-wrenching, emotional sound. Saying what we want to hear, what we need to hear, what we must hear. Helping us find the truth that has been buried deep inside of us for so long and awakening feelings we have been denying a say instead of confronting. Ziggy speaks to us, preventing the worst, in a way no one else can. The prophet of the future starman brings us hope: what was once fictional becomes the truth in ways we don't understand nor want, yet we accept them anyway. Ziggy Stardust comes into the lives of the teenagers needing help, feeling isolated, different, teaching us self-love, acceptance, hope and happiness, even his last words to us progect a message, proving our worth, he is the only one who understands, and that is why we love him. David tells us of his downfall in this song, and yet Ziggy is still there, supporting us to the very last moment. Rock n' Roll Suicide is the song I will forever turn to, it helps me ...more
This is one of my favorite Bowie tunes. The first time I heard of this song, I hesitated because of the title. But this song taught me not to judge a book by it's cover, because I love it so much now.
Mid-80's upbeat pop song, his most mainstream sounding "generic" pop style, song which is why Bowie said it was one of his least favourite songs, as it was one of his least creative. Yet it's still good! Genius
Bowie's best song, for sure. Absolute Beginners and Young Americans are almost as good, but Modern Love is still number one!
By far the best David Bowie song, should be at least in the top five!
By far the best song on the "Let's Dance" album.
Playfully braiding themes of sexual freedom, the generation gap and androgyny with his 'is he or isn't he' lyrics, Bowie postures like a young Roger Daltrey and rocks like Joan Jett (both compliments) in his guitar-driven rock anthem that has given courage to many to dress - and act -how they please. Thank you, DB.
This should be top ten. One of the greatest Mick Ronson guitar riffs, and the lyric, "You've got your mother in a whirl, because she's not sure if you;re a boy or a girl," just SCREAMS androgyny, which was class Bowie. And then how can you forget "hot tramp, I love you so" -- come on.
Rebel Rebel has one of the most well known guitar riffs! Not to mention the song itself is very well-written and is extremely catchy. One of Bowie's bests in my opinion.
Wow I would love to hear then 70 better than this. Clearly a top 15. It was 1 on the charts before. You are losing credibility quickly.
Such an amazing, timeless song - the best thing he's written for decades! Lots of people don't like it because it's so different to anything else... well ever. Definitely deserves to be in the top 10
Number 1 needed. I think this song is even better than Bohemian Rhapsody.
A wonderful, chilling song. One of the greatest Bowie has made.
This song is disturbingly amazing.
Just because he wrote it with John Lennon and it's one of his most popular doesn't mean it's one of his top 10 best. Really all this song is is a funky best with some lyrics.
This ones right up there with space oddity. I was surprised to see it this low. This was one of his big hits.
He wrote this one with John Lennon! Why isn't this track at least in the top 10?!
This song is so funky and it's just awesome why is it so low? Needs to be top 10
Now don't lean on me man cause you can't afford the ticket, I'm back from Suffragette City!
Now don't lean on me man cause you ain't got time to check it You know my Suffragette City
Is outta sight... She's alright
Should be in top 5. This was one of Bowie's favorite songs as he talked about numerous times.
His best. For whatever reason, this doesn't get the love it did in the 70's and 80's.
Should be in the top ten for the riff alone.
In times like this, coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war with Russia and Ukraine, amongst other things, it isn't to far fetched for us to empathise with David Bowie in 'Five Years'. The lyrics are some of the most emotive and descriptive ever written, and Bowie sings them perfectly, his voice dripping with raw panic. Backed up by the most incredible band (Mick Ronson, Woody Woodmansey and Trevor Bolder) playing the most incredible music, you can't tell me you don't love this song.
No no no. This song is too good not to be in the top ten if not number one. It's one of my favorite songs of all time not just by Bowie. The raw emotion and the sad story he says can be felt so deeply. I absolutely love the intensity and suspense that builds up in this song towards the climatic chants of the chorus. Criminally underrated
I'm not one for songs like this; sad ones, I mean. However, "Five Years" is raw emotion thrown right at you. It's chaotic. It's saddening. And, hell, it's a masterpiece. Lyrics and Bowie's classic voice make this a song I'll never forget. Very underrated.
The song was recorded in one take, completely breathtaking and utterly emotional. If you listen without the piano, you can hear the desperation that the song portrays...if you don't love Bowie's music, this song still speaks measures.
Underrated David Bowie song possibly unheard by many.
Extremely underrated and an absolute gem of a song.
Should be much higher. One of my all-time favorites.
Most songs are great, but this is a very special one.
I still don't know where he has taken the power to write, play and record this song. Great sax. It still brings me to tears when I see the video. I saw the musical in London, so this song has a special meaning to me.
This is a song of pure genius, the words of a man grappling with his own mortality. Knowing that this album was his final gift to the world just makes every song on this even better and more meaningful.
I enjoy this song very much. I don't understand how my dad could hate this song so much! He heard a bit of it, saw the music video, and immediately started talking crap. He still ain't know his daughter listens to him
Moving but not depressing it seems to say ok this is what is happening but I will still be around. Forever. And so it is.
Have always loved this song. It's hauntingly beautiful. He does everything with such feeling.
This song deserves a vote. Odd song, but insidiously affecting. Very underrated.
Why is this song not in the top 10?!?!
This song is really good and it was a success on the charts in many many different countries
It's silly and ridiculous, but somehow really magnificent and creative.
Love this song. Bowie at his creative best.
Classic pop bowie
Wonderfully divergent, even for Bowie and surprisingly evocative. This deserves to be in the top 10.
Should be much higher. Strange construction and constantly surprising.
No "Low" songs on the first page? I must be crazy... It's his greatest album
How is this number 32?
Station to Station (as the album) was a cocaine-induced trip. I don't know if it's Bowie's genius or just a stroke of good luck, but this wasn't a bad trip like many cocaine albums usually are. Station to Station embodies this trip and introduces us to the very bad man, The Thin White Duke.
It says a lot about Bowie's discography that this masterpiece is not even in the top 50. Such a compelling song and album. Number 1 for me.
Not sure why this is so low? this song is epic the emotion is so strong your can almost drink it.
Why isn't this in the top ten?! A truly magnificent song.
An underrated song from Bowie's discography, containing probably the greatest saxophone solo in the 70's.
The best choir-arrangement I've heard in a soul song. Luther Vandross and David Bowie created magic!
An absolutely brilliant piece of funky plastic soul. One of his best songs bar none.
The title track of this album is confident, in-your-face, and has great horns!