The Man Who Sold the World: David Bowie & Nirvana REACTION/ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 335)
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- čas přidán 14. 02. 2022
- #DavidBowie #Nirvana #TheManWhoSoldTheWorld
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm listening to The Man Who Sold the World for the first time. First, I'm reacting to the original version by David Bowie. Then, we look at Nirvana's cover version from their MTV Unplugged performance. It's a fascinating lyric with a harmonic palette that is more nuanced than I expected. Enjoy!
Reference Video: • David Bowie - The Man ...
Reference Video: • Nirvana - The Man Who ...
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I heard in an interview that David was so sorry not to had a chance to talk to Kurt and ask him why he chose exactly this song. He sounded so saddened that he couldn´t do that.
At some point, you've got to do "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", from the same show. It's a cover of the old Lead Belly song "In The Pines". Doing both would be a great comparison.
Kurt based his on Leadbelly, who's version is also called Where Did You Sleep Last Night, agree both Leadbelly's and Nirvana's versions are excellent.
I’m not a Kurt fan in general, but I have to hand it to him on his vocals in Where Did You Sleep Last Night.
This was an amazing cover by Nirvana...
Yep this for sure, vocal masterclass.
Get the chills every time I hear that song. You can see his pain.
Both versions give me goosebumps even after hearing them a hundred times before. David Bowie was a genius.
There is so much Bowie out there, please delve into it, please. I miss his musical genius so much.
For Nirvana, suggest you listen to “Where did you sleep last night.” from that same live album. It’s an old blues cover which he delivers in such a hauntingly beautiful way. I would say it also foreshadows his death knowing what we all know now.
The Man Who Sold The World is a very overlooked album,and i feel a very important one in Davids career
Yes, _The Width of a Circle, All the Madmen_ and _After All_ are absolutely fantastic.
{:-:-:}
Agree.
Yes, probably his best Lp after Diamond Dogs! But even now quite unknown.
It's the one where he'd discovered hard rock.
@@boojum "And then it was time to put on a dress and make a heavy metal album". I think I have this from Paolo Hewitts book Bowie Album by album).
Doug, I'd be interested in your take on the chord structure of David's song LIFE ON MARS? Rick Wakeman, who played piano on the song, commented that David's way of composing and how he didn't stick with predictable rock chord structure, but focused on the chords being determined by the lyrics so where one might assume the structure might return to the tonic, he'd completely alter that notion and move to a completely new key so that the lyrics would be given its true expression, but it's never jarring and makes perfect expressive musical sense.
Great suggestion! Such a powerful, unique song. Nothing else like it.
Wakeman had offers from Bowie and Yes to join their bands. He chose Yes as we know, but it's interesting to think about what he would have done with Bowie as a full member of the Spiders from Mars.
@@cobbycaputo3332 Rick greatly admired Bowie’s approach to working in the studio. He basically said he never worked with anyone who was so focused and knew what he wanted to do from the start. He would have grown restless working with David just like he did with Yes I believe. Life on Mars is fantastic!
@@pwethman1 Eh...Bruford had similar complaints about working with Yes so there is probably some truth to it
Life on Mars is in the key of F changes keys up to the bIII (Ab) then using that chord as a dominant 7th to then change keys to bVI (C#) then changing keys down a minor third to the IV (Bb), which only has 1 different note than the original key to set up back up easily for the tonic, if that makes any sense
“It’s almost like sophisticated folk music” i think that’s a good description of psychedelic folk/rock in the late 60s, which David was influenced by at the time he wrote the song
I think he was referring to how Cobain did it
@@nickfanzo maybe, I thought he he was talking about the song writing and the chord progression
@@user-hy1bk3gw7w maybe both 🤔🤔
@@nickfanzo possible
Makes a lot of sense considering how Space Oddity, outside of it's title track, was very much a folk/folk inspired album.
TMWSTW, as an album, was basically that folk music growing up, getting weirder and more mature, and honing a much sharper edge.
The reason Bowie was exploring themes of insanity is he had a schizophrenic half-brother, Terry. The original US album release cover featured a cartoon of the asylum he was committed to; Cane Hill. Bewlay Brothers on Hunky Dory also deals with the theme. Terry committed suicide many years later by jumping in front of a train. Bowie’s track ‘Jump They Say’ refers to the incident.
So sad. You can hear a lot of material from these experiences. The one I relate to the most is wondering when you yourself will also become the things that plague your family. Be it big or small. I'm glad Bowie lasted a decent amount of years to surpass it, but I certainly wish he was still here.
@@cebrinpitts Don’t know if you’ve seen it yet but this theme is explored in the new movie, Moonage Daydream.
@@simonspeak9288 I haven't yet. Looking forward to it!
His whole family had issues with mental health. His father was a depressive. One of his half sisters had major issues, too. And of course, Terry. Bowie was always afraid he would end up the same.
Bowie Suggestions: The three albums Bowie made with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti in the late 70s are musically very interesting. I would suggest "Warszawa" from the album "Low". It's a bit of a deep cut, so if you want to go with something a bit more well known, go with the title track from "Blackstar", Bowie's last album.
Yea the Berlin albums
Why stop with just the 3?. "1. Outside" done with Eno and one of Bowie's most talented backing band lineups ever in the 90s, is probably the most progressive record he's done, which I'm sure Doug would enjoy at least parts of. He should try tracks like: "A Small Plot Of Land", "Voyeur Of Utter Destruction" or "The Motel" Better yet, he should listen to all 4 Bowie/Eno albums in their entirety. I would also recommend the title track from "Aladdin Sane" & the title track from "Blackstar", or better yet, the entire album.
@@chrissimpson6017 agreed. His Outside era music is challenging at first but very rewarding if given a few listens.
Heroes also has Robert Fripp on it. (Fripp had disbanded KC three years earlier.)
Lodger has Adrian Belew on it, just before KC was reformed.
Doug also ought to check out Eno's early ambient work, since a lot of the pieces develop, and Eno claimed he was a "non-musician".
Yep. Low, and Scary monsters, would be very interesting topics for this channel.
Kurt Cobain was playing a very rare 1959 Martin D28-E, Nirvana surprised a lot of people by avoiding the expectations that they would not take the Unplugged format seriously. Their set list avoided many of the more raucous tracks, the subtle arrangements didn't seem to fit the grunge scene, but they weren't afraid to play with the format, this track being the most divergent from the acoustic set theme. There is a reason why this and Eric Clapton's Unplugged sets are the two that are the most well-received and best-selling; they both played well with the format and made them their own.
That's interesting. I always thought he installed his own pickups for that custom 'homemade' sound. I never knew about the D28-E and looking at it now, it's definitely the same guitar.
I would add a third Unplugged set to your pair: Alice In Chains. I still get goosebumps and teary eyes from this one, too.
18, not 28. And, I heard that Kurt insisted on running it through a Fender Twin Reverb because he didn't feel comfortable playing acoustic, so they hid it like a monitor in front of him
Hey Doug. Glad you've finally done some Bowie! He had many style changes, but was almost always artistically interesting. I'd recommend you next do "Station to Station" from his Thin White Duke period...10 minutes long, but a lot going on both musically and lyrically. I think you'll appreciate it!
Seconding your suggestion with enthusiasm, my friend ! I've seen a couple, not much, reactions about this song, and there's so much to say about it !!!
Wonderful suggestion, spot on fella!
I wonder if perhaps “Cygnet Committee” from David Bowie. It is quite unique and never heard nowadays. Melodic and sophisticated but exploring themes that are dark and riven with guilt and disaster.
Or “Life on Mars” for Rick Wakeman’s delightful piano and Bowie’s effortless poetry.
Have always like Cygnet Committee.
Cygnet Committee would also get my vote
I've always liked that whole album.
I recommend Bowie's Station to Station (1976) from the album of the same name and the Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing(Reprise) suite (1974) from the Diamond Dogs. Truly amazing pieces of music. Really happy you finally did something on Bowie. I was really looking forward to this.
Excellent reaction! You gotta do Bowie's Aladdin Sane, the piano on it is crazily good, think you would love it!
Good suggestion.
@@cobbycaputo3332 Second your second
Perfect for Weird Wednesday!
Aladdin Sane is his best track in my opinion.
Thanks, Doug. Great analysis. I really loved that - both versions.
Would love to see a whole series of originals and their covers! Keep up the great work Doug!
Dude my third video of yours so digging you now especially these two songs goodness gracious love you
The start of Bowie and those creative characters and personas percolating under the surface. What did emerge is one of THE greatest body's of work of any artist. He was that good. Following his journey from this point on will be a very rewarding experience, Mr Daily Doug.
Oh my friend, the journey of discovery you have ahead of you with David Bowie! I highly recommend "Life on Mars," as it's arguably one of the greatest songs he ever wrote (and it's a cheeky little middle finger to Paul Anka). The most reasonable interpretation I've seen of this song (and the reason that Cobain chose it) is because it reflects a tension between who a celebrity is and the public's expectation of who they're supposed to be. I always saw it as Bowie having a conversation with his pre-fame self ("I thought you died a long long time ago") and affirming that the core person, the pre-fame Bowie, is still alive and in charge.
I am so so so happy to see you go through my musical journey: always expanding! I love your channel, Doug. I wish I had a fatherly / "unclely" figure like yours in my life. You have a great persona(lity) on the videos, Doug. I never get tired of your analysis. Thank you so much.
David Bowie "Station to Station"
Wonderful, as always! If you're considering Bowie... please do Life On Mars off Hunky Dory. There is tons of interesting harmonic movement on this piece... and Rick Wakeman played the piano on it!!
I love how Bowie sings differently on each ear on that song, one pure, one distorted.
And if you're into looking at a cover version go outside the box with AURORA playing live at NRK.
There is lots of great David Bowie music. His great strength was that he was always exploring: music, rock, soul, German rock and shifting personas. Among his best work was his concept album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the Berlin Trilogy Low, Heroes, and Lodger, and his last album Black Star. His top songs, Changes, Space Oddity, Golden Years, Fame, Lets Dance, Station to Station, Cat People, Day in Day Out to name a few.
Love that you did both versions!
When I was young ( 62 now )we had a band, we played covers and also our own songs. At that time it was curious to see that most of the bands that were starting out used to cover Bowie, and so did we. When you asked new rooky musicians why, why they used to play Bowie. They responded, man, with Bowie you learn and work a lot, there are many unexpected changes, there is no song the same as another, it is very good for learning, practicing and rehearsing.
I was the drummer and I was always a big fan of the first Bowie.
Hundrets of hits that you can check.You did one of his best àlbums the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars , good start , then.
Life on Mars, Space Odity, station to station , Young Americans, Cracked actor , Ashes to Ashes ,Diamond Dogs , All the madmen ....
Best live concerts Ziggy in Hammersmith Odeon 1973 , Diamond Dogs Tour , Serióus Moonlight París.
Keep on rocking guy
Greetings from Barcelona
Excuse my english
This whole unplugged concert is amazingly good! Great review !
Interesting comparison and glad you’re thinking covering both artists. Both deserve a lot of attention
Good one Doug! Big Bowie fan here, glad you've started. To counterpoint other comment's, I really love Bowie's post 2000 stuff: Slow Burn is amazing (with Pete Townshend), and his last work: Lazarus, and Blackstar
Bowie also gave this track to Lulu who had a UK chart hit circa 1973 with it, the best version i've heard is a cover on Metal Gear V. Bowie albums to look at would be Hunky Dory and The Rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust, if he'd only made these 2 albums he'd still be a legend.
I especially like Lulu's version - her vocal has a little bit of an edge to it that suits the song well.
The whole Nirvana MTV Unplugged is such an amazing experience to listen to. Many of the songs are covers and this was to create something unexpected to the audience. Dave was not into the idea that it should be acoustic and he would play a smaller drumkit. He played with T rods sticks and not the average drumsticks. Since he is a hard hitter he had to play more relaxed because the rod sticks would break hitting hard.
I love your really intuitive critical insights into David Bowie’s headspace during this period. For a long time fan such as myself it’s gratifying. And musically pointing things out that are really interesting as well. Dichotomies, Etc
You will be interested to hear that this was really the product of his genius as he didn’t have lyrics during the production, went to the washroom over lunch and hashed these out last moment, as was often his wont in-studio.
Gotta love the guy
He was also known during thisperiod to have been laying down first take vocals which is 90% of what you hear on this album as well as for example Ziggy Stardust which is what makes Each song such a performance piece and Ken Scott, producer of ZS, whose résumé included the Beatles and many other fantastic singers, said that no one else was even close to Bowie in this regard. Wham bam thank ye ma’am.
To continue on the Original/Cover theme, you should look at Hurt by Nine Inch Nails and then by Johnny Cash.
I was 12 when I watched this concert live. It was life changing musically. Still a favourite concert for me and my favourite of Nirvana's sound. Beautiful and haunting.
I binge listened to this and YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHT . for the better part of three months
Splendid, more Bowie please and thank you ☺
Thank you for analyzing this exciting song
Nirvana has a lot of interesting riff work, often utilising unique intervals for their power chords and slower melodic sections. I'd recommend Lithium, In Bloom, Heart Shaped Box, and Rape Me. I assume you've heard Smells Like Teen Spirit, but if not, definitely hit that first! Number 1 90s Anthem right there!
We used to say Kurt wrote backwards and sideways chord progressions, as opposed to forward chord progressions. What that means is the intervals are unique, and Kurt's vocal lines made for some very special tune-age.
Great video Doug. That Bowie album is one my desert island discs. Though I would suggest for your next Bowie reaction, "Life On Mars" from the Hunky Dory album, it has fascinating lyrics and a whole ton of dramatic chord changes. For Nirvana, I always loved the chords on "Heart Shaped Box".
amazing as ever!
Just found your channel and am kinda loving it. Would love to hear your take on Bowie's Blackstar from his final album. Anything from his Berlin period would be great too.
One of my favourite songs both from Bowie and Nirvana. I LOVE seeing people who deeply understand music pick apart, geek out and love the music that they weren't exposed to but that I was, and understand the complexity and everything going on behind songs I love that many don't appreciate. But I actually came to comment THANK YOU for using the term "died from s" and not the other way people express that. As one of the people on that side of the mental health spectrum, it's an appreciated and really important distinction.
Nirvana. On a Plain. One of my favorite songs of theirs. Sophisticated musically but accessible.
David Bowie's 20th album from 1995 "OutSide". This album is a trip!!
I absolutely adore Outside. I discovered it through the song I'm Deranged (which I had a brief obsession with) which was in the movie Lost Highway. As soon as I listened to the album I was hooked.
The chord progression in this tune always fascinated me. Still does. And I agree this cover is fantastic.
The Bowie song, I believe you'll absolutely love would be "Aladdin Sane." That or "Station to Station."
A very cool idea to put both tracks side by side. Thanks man!
A Daily Double Doug! Well done.
Bowie is a very deep rabbit hole. Once you get to Low, you're hearing instrumental work.
Nirvana - Aneurysm - my favourite song of this band.
Live at Reading - unmatched
Need to do an extended play on David Bowie's low or heroes
Nice segment!
Hey Doug, I've been a fan of yours for a few months now but this is the first time I've actually put the words together trying to say how much I appreciate your reactions. They say there's no such thing as "good envy" but in a very 'positve' envious way I have to say; I've always been impressed by that perfect pitch you display on your vids. Can't say if it's true or not, but you hear and say notes and scales the way I wish I could express in the way you do. I hear things, just don't have the way to translate them into this social convention we call music. Hope you read this.
One of the few songs that has an original AND a cover that are equally as good. I enjoyed your interpretations of the lyrics, too. Have a good Daily, Doug!
Where did you sleep last night” will give chills for sure , please hear it and enjoy it. Nice doing!!
The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974, who, according to biographer David Buckley, performed it in "a sleazy, almost Berlin cabaret style". Lulu was ex Mrs Maurice Gibb, Bee Gees.
Bowie did backing vocals on that version
i subbed because u did both versions of The Man Who Sold the World. Nirvana introduced me to this song first and then i heard DBs version afterward. i like both but Curts version moreso. Im a fan of both but i love MTV Unplugged (which is no longer on the air anymore). Rest in peace to both talented arists, i miss them & their music
Yes!!!! One of my favorite songs/covers of all time! RIP Kurt, love and miss you!
You could really look at any song on that acoustic album for your breakdowns because they're a little more subdued, may be easier to analyze, thanks Doug!
Man you should review “ where did you sleep last night “ Nirvana cover or should I say , Kurt’s melodic approach to that song . Haunting !
What a great musician Kurt was, how much more could Nirvana be? it's a shame to have lost kurt so soon in a very hard way. Time passes and he continues to be what he is, a phenomenon, so much talent, the type of musician who is a super star, there are not many like him left.
Epic song. Probably one of my top five Bowie songs.
One of my Nirvana favorites is Plateau For Bowie it's Heroes or Life on Mars but there are many to choose from for both.
Hi Doug, you might want to consider "The Width of a Circle" from the original The Man Who Sold The World album. The whole album is great with this the standout track.
YES! YES! YES!
Nirvana's Entire unplugged performance is a master piece. Stand out songs I think you'd enjoy are All Apologies, on a plain and another cover called lake of fire. Have fun. Love you videos.
Maybe be Kurt covered this song because both he and Bowie struggled with their identity and expressed themselves through their songs, often creating characters to perform them.
I'm not sure about that. Bowie himself said that if you looked at all those characters he created to express himself through, you wouldn't find David Jones in any of them. He was just trying a whole bunch of things to see what stuck. Once something did stick, he felt like he needed to move on. On the other hand, Cobain, who really should have been listening to more Honky Dory than Rust Never Sleeps by the end of his life, couldn't help but worry about how others could see the faker in him. And he never did move on (though that last performance showed versatility I thought he was incapable of). He could have learned something from Bowie, who, as he said in Changes, was much too fast to take the chance to let others see the faker. Trent Reznor certainly listened to him.
This should be a new trend! The original side by side with a cover, what fun!! Definitely have a listen to Nirvana's Heart-Shaped Box, lots of different harmonics
Hi from France...I really like your reactions in general (especially all your prog rock reactions) and I'm so glad you came up to Bowie... he made so so many great songs that it's difficult to pick up one to recommend... Maybe you'd like Aladin Sane and its crazy piano solo... I'd really like hear u to react to it... Be safe, and apologize my broken english...
Great job Doug. Enjoyed your video. On Nirvana.. Wow theres so many great to choose from. I'd start with something off Nevermind. In Bloom, Lithium, Drain You, On a Plain (there's some interesting tonal contrasts in that). Crazy but also good could be Breed or Milk it (from In Utero). Grunge was great and I'd love you to check out Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. Great stuff, just great ;-)
So great to see you react to Bowie! I strongly suggest you have a go with something off of his next album, the iconic masterpiece tour de force, Hunky Dory from 1971. The entire album is brilliant, but the song that may just be Bowie's greatest artistic achievement is "Life on Mars". Bowie was an authentic genius and his work will be dissected for ages to come.
This video, back in day, DVD, Nirvana, will make you a fan. I like Nirvana bunches but this performance is is special & so accessible. As to Bowie songs, I don’t know where to start.
Enjoyed hearing the two versions back to back.
Someone has said Life on Mars (ft Rick Wakeman), The next album Hunky Dory must be worth a full listen.
You said it Doug, "Sounds like folk"
Guess you should give Steeleye Span a listen. I am sure steeleye/Maddy Prior fans can throw loads of stuff to listen to. :)
Excellent analysis and insights. Bowie suggestions: Life on Mars, Golden Years, Starman, Sound and Vision, Ashes to Ashes, Boys Keep Swinging, Jean Genie, Oh You Pretty Things, and Diamond Dogs. Some of my favorites.
One of my favorite songs of all time!
I was always a big fan of "Come As You Are", nice song with cool guitar effects.
One of my favourites by Nirvana, and one of their most harmonically sophisticated songs, is On a Plain. The vocal harmonies and how they blend with the chords is something really unique in their catalogue. I even love the vocal harmonies in Heart Shaped Box. If I remember correctly, Kurt insisted on thirds and even fourths in a lot of songs. It's been a long while since I last heard them
Glad you gave your ear to both versions. There is so much to digest from David Bowie so you'll have your work cut out for ya. As regards to Nirvana, my favorite songs by them are either Territorial Pissings (love the nasty guitar tone, as a thrash-metal enthusiast I had to include this one) and Lithium. Both maybe not the most interesting harmonic/melodic songs from their catalogue but still worth a spin if you want to experience the breadth of Nirvana
I was fortunate to have a chat with Bowie . A real icon and a huge influence to groups which followed, With his image and music and lets not forget the weird film parts and Labyrinth . . A very split personality from intelligent quiet man and glam music image with different coloured eyes . Nivana cover is brilliant too
David Bowie’s Vocals & Songwriting with Mick Ronson on Guitar
Perfect Together
Very good, keep it up!
Long time lurker, first time commenter...
People have already mentioned this in comments before - Cygnet Committee from David Bowie (probably also my favorite song of his);
As for Nirvana - Aero Zeppelin.
I really like the cover, I think Kurt really offered a very tasteful minimalist approach to that song. It had a stronger focus on raw emotion than proposing an idea as Bowie did.
Really two incredible and supremely versatile artists.
The Man Who Sold The World is my second favorite Bowie album of all time, right under Low. It's a work of genius from back to front, with Mick Ronson and Tony Visconti having a lot of influence on the writing and arrangement. Bowie was kind of checked out for it due to being madly in love during it's production, so they filled in the blanks.
I highly recommend listening to the 2020 Tony Visconti mix of the whole album called Metrobolist, which this version of the song is sourced from. It's on Spotify. Blows the old original mix out of the water and makes everything sound like it was recorded yesterday.
This track always gives me goosebumbs and I tear up. No idea why, I have no history or backstory with it. It just gets me. Every time.
Love both versions of this song!
I love this major/minor interchanges... this reminds me one of my favorite recent artists Lisa Who... it's a alt-pop / alt-rock singer/songwriter.. the first track of her first album brings this major/minor duality. The song is in E major, but she always brings the chords of the parallel minor. Yes.. it's different from this song (which they change keys between the minor and the relative major).
The song is "Alles its gut"... From this same album "Das Rauschen in mir" is also a great song. From his later album "Du hast much wieder nicht gesehen" is an amazing quasi-prog journey.
I concur with the recommendations for Life on Mars. So many great songs. A bit later try Wild is the Wind. Bowie as a full on crooner. I nearly forgot the track Aladdin Sane (A Lad Insane). Some of the wildest piano ever on a pop/rock track.
It's amazing how an incredibly simple riff, just 2 notes alternating (with an added flourish) can be so beautiful & captivating.
And the guiro adds a sinister twist.....not evident in Nirvana's version.
Great as always! It'd be rad if you could check out something from Bowie's Blackstar album or most of his albums from Hunky Dory through the early 80's.
There is so much Bowie that it is hard to choose - and he was such chameleon that it is all different. The entire album Hunky Dory is impressive lyrically and for Rick Wakeman's piano work. Musically, Alladin Sane is brilliant especially in terms of the interesting somewhat avante gard things on piano.
Bowie is such a wide spectrum. You can find something you like across his discography no matter your preferences.
Nirvana did a bunch of covers (creditting on stage) on that concert. They wanted to give some exposure to others, while (being Nirvana) doing something different from other bands (that made accustic versions ofvtheir best hits).
Not to mention that most of Nirvana's music doesn't translate to acoustic particularly well. Though Tori Amos spun all our heads with her piano cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Station to Station to Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps) 5 albums of brilliance and includes the much loved Berlin Trilogy.
Nirvana's unplugged concert is a less gritty and more mellow take on most of their music, and there are more great covers in that performance. I'd recommend All Apologies if you do more Nirvana- it's iconic and anthemic, one of their best songs IMO.
CZcamsr 12Tone has a very in-depth analysis of this song, both from the perspective of David and Kurt. It explores the duality of being whom you are and who you used to be, as well as the ennui of being a success.
There's a reference to Antigonish, a poem from 1899 by William Hughes Mearns.
"Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there!
He wasn't there again today,
Oh how I wish he'd go away!" ... _etc._
If you want to do the other way around, a song that was cover by Bowie, you can listen to Amsterdam on the album Pin Up that is an original song by Jacques Brel. Both versions are excellent.
Wild is the Wind is definitely worth checking out as well. His best cover and one of his best vocal performances, IMO.
I would LOVE for you to react to the full albums of Aladdin Sane, and 1. Outside. I think those are the ones that would really appeal to you the most. Outside is very avant garde, and was written via long improv sessions.
Also, don't try to read too much into Bowie's lyrics, anything after Diamond Dogs: he learned early on thanks to Brian Eno to write lyrics that are more about the percussive nature of the consonants and the way the tone of vowels fit to serve the music.
They would come up with the instrumentals first, then mumble random syllables along with the melody they figured out, until it eventually worked it's way into real words. David Byrne does the same with Talking Heads. Trying to get symbolism from them, therefore, is a futile exercise.
On A Plain is really quite an interesting Nirvana song, melodically and harmonically.
Width of a Circle. If I had to pick a favorite Bowie tune. Thank you Doug for all you do! I suggest The Residents for a weird Wednesday.
Good job Doug for #TheDailyDoug. I'd be really interested in your analysis of one of my favourite (old) bands - It Bites, specifically a track called Once Around the World.
Oh I picked this track because it's got a strong narrative running through it which you seem to like, lots of key and time signature changes and is generally pretty interesting.