People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
Jamel--Bowie changed both his appearance and music several times over his career, as Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, etc. Some of my favorites were from the early 2000's, when he was finally David Bowie for a while. At Live from the BBC, my fave there is a live performance of my fave song of his, a love song, titled Absolute Beginners. Hope you ill look that one up. He was so good in that concert. That was his best band ever. Thanks!
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
Oh Ziggy. I was asking myself where is all the Bowie? And assumed it was all blocked. Bowie fans are legendary. It is now about to hit. He was a genius. Life on Mars if I was forced to choose just one. Forever missed.
So happy to see you doing Bowie! Strap in, you're in for a ride.... soo many great songs. The man probably had one of the greatest and most interesting careers in music.
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
Bowie was probably one of the most unique entertainers to ever live.....always unique, always changing, & always brilliant!!! Some other suggestions for Bowie, it Let's dance, & Fame, both are very funky & bring out his amazing vocals!!!
My great Uncle Buford Jones is a world famous sound engineer who mixed Bowie's live sound for years. The day after Bowie passed away this was his post on FB. In or around 1973 upon returning from touring with Skynyrd and ZZ Top (my rock roots), Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I said "maybe"..... Showco said "oh yes you will!"......"OK!. A couple of weeks later, I found myself terrified being introduced to David in his dressing room. He welcomed me so kindly and sincere where I began work with the friendliest , most caring, abundantly and uniquely talented person I would ever meet! I thank you again David for the many tours, smiles and laughs that followed with you trusting your sound to me! A privilege and an honor that shaped my career forever. I thank you for the countless wonderful memories including jammimg on guitars one night! God Bless You David and your family and may you rest in blissful peace!
Now we're talking!!! Can never have enough Bowie in life, loved him and very, very fortunate to have seen him in person about a dozen times. Such an immense catalogue, but personal favourites are 'Heroes' with its Berlin Wall references and 'Life On Mars' which described how I felt about myself as a young woman. Thank you, Jamal ✌🏼
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
Finally listened to this highly heralded work of David Bowie. WOW. What a voice. What a production. Yep, tears here.I wish he had his guitar out there in space with him.
I love, love, love your reactions!!! You dig deep into the lyrics, and you GET IT!!! "Planet earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do..." You understood that lyric perfectly.
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully... The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂 I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found: 'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")' (This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎 Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
I want to thank you, a 56 yr old here, Grew up listening to most what you reacting to, but in the essence of growing up, just enjoyed the music for what it was, good music. Now, at 56, slowed down a bit, listen a lil more critical, lyrics, vocal performance, production, arrangements, overlays, etc.. You and other reactors have helped me enjoy this great music all over again. I THANK YOU
My favorite Bowie song. There has never been anyone like him. You can listen to great rock, amazing Motown, you can sing and dance and have a great time. Then Bowie comes on and you really have to pause, look and listen. You have to absorb it.
My absolute favorite. He has an awesome musical trajectory. You should check out a little from each stage . Genius music at every turn. He influenced countless after him and will continue to for generations....
Yes! Some David Bowie! Please consider reacting to more. Start with "Let's Dance", "Young Americans", "Fame", "Ziggy Stardust" "Life on Mars" and "Golden Years" would be my suggestions. He was such a beautiful soul with so much talent and a vast range to his musical style. Thank you for your videos as always.
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
The thing with Bowie is that every album sounds different from another; his style changes between each one. You could (and should) go down this rabbit hole for a long time. ;) Try Diamond Dogs and Hang On To Yourself.
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Hi Jamel, im a minner from Chile and I have always been indentify by this song. When you go far from your home for money or passion some times you felt this way man. Thnx for all your reaction.
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
One of the greatest rockers ever reinventing himself over many decades reinventing ! My favorite album David Live - lots of his best stuff ✌😎 I bet I've listened to the whole album start - finish 1000X easy !
Oh hell yes! Reacting to the space god himself! It is funny that you compare him to Freddie Mercury, because he did the song "Under Pressure" with Queen, and that is one of my all time favorite songs (and videos).
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
Such a HUGE loss.....miss him tremendously....absolutely love him....what a talent...so lucky to have walked this earth with him...truly blessed.....rest in peace Mr.Bowie....
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
When I was six years old, I walked into my mother's room and this was on the television. The next day I drew my first recognizable portrait - of David Bowie. I'm a professional artist now. :D His music reaches people of all ages and walks of life, for sure.
Watch Bowie in "The Man That Fell To Earth". He's an alien that is trying to save his own planet and comes here. It was made in 1976. There's things like OLED screens and other technologies that don't exist for decades.
cspringer333 when I was living in NM, I apprenticed to become a live sound engineer. The spot where he actually falls to earth is on the property of the guy I was apprenticing with.
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
You are right about Bowie and Freddie Mercury. They are singers and performance artists both. Geniuses. This is the first Bowie song I ever heard. I heard it on the radio while I was in the car with my mother. LOL Crazy. I loved Bowie from that moment. When Bowie died, the online news had as its banner, Planet Earth is Blue. I knew as soon as I saw that that Bowie had died.
I have listened to this song for over 30 years and never picked up on the "planet earth is blue" as a sadness commentary until now. I love how watching reacts breathe new life into music I already know.
It's a "double entendre", and you're a double genius, and that's why we love you Jamel :-)
Did I Get it Right✌🏾🧔🏾✌🏾
@@jamelakajamal It's pronounced (on - tahn - dra)
Usually one of the two meanings in double entendre is sexual.
@@JimDorman Just the tip?
@@JimDorman She asked me for a double entendre so I gave her one.
"It's like him and Freddie Mercury could be distant cousins or something..."
* Under Pressure starts playing in the background *
People believe this song is about a drug trip, because “ashes to ashes” mentions major Tom being a junkie. But “ashes to ashes” released 11 years later and was in part a response to the popular opinion that the public’s interpretation of “Space Oddity” is that it was a song about a drug trip. The truth is Bowie was fascinated by the true beauty and horror of space travel and what an astronaut had to endure. The idea that in order to experience the most beautiful sights one can imagine, one had to endure the immediate underlying horror of death, separation (from all of humanity) and loneliness that was omnipresent.
Well said. Thanks for sharing that.
I agree.
It is interesting what different people will project onto a popular song. In the 60s space travel had begun to be a popular concept, afterward that slipped away as culture shifted to value other things. It's ironic that those who disparage others with higher goals as individualists are actually all about the navel gazing, consumption, and dissipation themselves. We went from a culture of engineers and scientists to one of shoppers and wasters in a decade.
Bob Riemersma Bowie said it was inspired by seeing 2001 A Space Oddessy (Arthur C Clarke)
Well spoken
He loved playing games with people as to what he meant, especially of they came up with an interpretation that he didn't expect or intend.
You’re discovering also why Bowie’s death hit so many of us so hard. He really was the peak genius of rock.
Thank you!
Exactly!I I cried like a baby when he died.
It really did hit me. I didn't realize what kind of effect he'd had on me.
Bowie was not just a fantastic musician, but a true artist with genius and intelligence. We miss you, Star Man.
David Bowie album “ the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust’s” is considered to be on of the best albums of the 70’s. A masterpiece of well arranged songs.
First album I ever bought, lol after hearing him on a small tinny radio on radio Luxembourg ...saved up months to get it ...played it down YMCA in Aberaman disco (so called) still play the CD 51 years later ....wonderful.
Suffragette City was my perennial favorite, wore out the vinyl
Agree Rise and fall my first album five years I could listen to all day
Not many people remember David's alter ego for about a year was Ziggy Stardust. The first time I ever heard him and his band was as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. I have to admit I prefer David Bowie to Ziggy. But he had to get it out and it made for a great album. The man was a genius. He was a mix of sexy and smart with a great singing voice. As he got older, he just got better. Miss you Sir. There is a hole in music that yet another legend has left and cannot be filled.
@@markdunn1464 Ditto!!!!!
His song Let's Dance is damn good, great groove and Stevie Ray Vaughan plays the guitar solo in it.
Starman, Golden Years, Ashes to Ashes, Heroes.....he is beyond.
Definitely Ashes to Ashes, the follow up to this song.
D Mac Ashes to Ashes is maybe my favorite Bowie song. Jamal definitely needs to listen to it
I can do without Golden Years.
Beyond beyond! The Best!
'Rebel Rebel' was released the same year as 'Killer Queen'......sort of the height of the whole Glam thing. David sang the song 'Under Pressure' with Freddie Mercury......about 7 years later.
I came here to recommend under pressure also
Me too!
Oops... Jamel already reacted to Under Pressure with Bowie. It's under the Queen playlist!
th-cam.com/video/zkidtw2KxFk/w-d-xo.html
Above is the link to Queen/Bowie Under Pressure reaction.
I burst into tears watching this. It’s like David’s spirit singing to us. We are blue, we miss him! God bless his beautiful ethereal soul❤️
Am I the only one who gets a little teary eyed when listening to this?
No 😂The “though I’m past 100,000 miles” bit and “tell my wife I love her very much, she knows.” Every time...😢
No. And this is what I listened to over and over after I heard he’d died which made it even more emotional.
No
I just did get teary eyed and I'm from back in the day
nope it gets me every time
Bowie was such an exceptional artist. 💝
David Bowie was such an impressive talent, that Bing Crosby did a duet with him on his 1977 Christmas special. They did Little Drummer Boy. 😎
Kaye Whye thank you for mentioning that. Two masters, two different generations and two different styles but they performed a classic version of that song.
Love that song Kaye!! 😃❤️
That was awesome when I was a kid too!
I had forgotten about that, but now that you mention it I do recall the performance clearly. It didn’t seem that odd to me at the time, but looking back through the 2020 lens, this duet seems surreal or almost impossible. At the time Bing was an old act and from a completely different genre and Bowie was still pretty young. Now they’re both gone. Kind of trippy and a stark reminder that Father Time is undefeated. Thanks
I had read the back story was that Bing wanted to perform Drummer Boy, but Bowie being younger thought it was old fashioned and didn't like the song. So, the different writers on the show got together , and wrote "Peace on Earth" as Bowie's counterpoint to Bing, literally, on the fly. Bing never got to see the special because he passed away 5 weeks after recording it with Bowie.
Loved his song "Golden Years" and "I'm Afraid of Americans"...
"I'm Afraid of Americans" freaking rocks!
"I'm Afraid of Americans" is great, would be great to see Jamel react to that!
The Jean Genie is a great David Bowie song!
48 Years old, this song. Still sounding fresh as ever. And Bowie.. he'll never stop being a hero of mine.
51 years
@@ricardo_miguel13 You are right. Don't know where the 1972 came from.
@@avanoosterhout8397 The film was shot in 1972 probably..
@@ricardo_miguel13 there was a film from 69 where he doesnt have dyed hair--exc vid with the space stuff
52, agreed brother!
One of the best songs ever written. David Bowie has hundreds of great songs.
I first heard this song on a walkman in the back of my parent's car when I was 8 on a road trip to Pittsburgh. I played it over and over because I had never heard anything like it. Years later I became a music producer and had number ones on iTunes and top five albums on Billboard. This song might have planted the seed.
Bowie from the 80's... "Let's Dance" "Modern Love" are great tunes..!
Listen for SRV's distinctive guitar in "Let's Dance"
I agree. Niles Rodgers producer of that album. Bowie's 70's stuff was great... Like the song: Fame.
@@maryscaggsdane1978 Really??? I didn't know that.
@@2869may go give it a spin ... video shows Bowie, but your ears will know it when you hear it! (Wiki it if you're still too shocked to believe it!) 😉
With Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitar, the entire "Let's Dance" album kicks some major ass!
He made the stunning video 'Lazarus' as he knew he was dying. What a genius - what a loss.
Lazarus really pushes my understanding of grief. Like, it's really captivating to see someone grieve their own death.
Please, react to this!
I couldn't listen to anything from Lazarus for about 2 years. It hurt so much when he passed.
OH MY GOD I want to see this reaction.
David was a perfectionist at everything he did, sang, right down to his shoes . Man had a style of his own. That's why we love him .....✌🧡
Bowie and Bing Crosby sang a masterpiece together. "Little Drummer Boy". Christmas wouldn't feel right without it.
Seriously the only Christmas song I get excited to hear!
Yes, a true masterpiece.
Love that!!!
Best Christmas song
YES!!!!! My favorite!!!
An absolute classic - great use of the Mellotron too The Mellotron on this track was played by Rick Wakeman
Haunting and cool
Jamel--Bowie changed both his appearance and music several times over his career, as Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, etc. Some of my favorites were from the early 2000's, when he was finally David Bowie for a while. At Live from the BBC, my fave there is a live performance of my fave song of his, a love song, titled Absolute Beginners. Hope you ill look that one up. He was so good in that concert. That was his best band ever. Thanks!
OMG, he started on Bowie. Down the rabbit hole we go.
And yeah, Bowie and Freddie have performed/recorded together.
My wife introduced me to your channel tonight, and I've really been enjoying your real sense of warmth and humanity as well as your love and willingness to go on these journeys that have already meant to much to us. I can only hope that with you leading the way and by your example many more people will learn to love these classic songs as well as the modern stuff that has come since. I always want people to understand what has come before while still appreciating the new, and thanks so much for what you are doing.
Yes I agree, jamel is unique
What I love is that I was able to pass down my love of ‘70’s music to my youngest son. This song gives me chills every time. We often sing a certain lyric from a song we both love or find funny. It’s a good thing to be able to share such a love of music w your kids.
Oh Ziggy. I was asking myself where is all the Bowie? And assumed it was all blocked. Bowie fans are legendary. It is now about to hit. He was a genius. Life on Mars if I was forced to choose just one. Forever missed.
Incredible talent!!! I’m so glad Jamel is getting to Bowie!!
So happy to see you doing Bowie! Strap in, you're in for a ride.... soo many great songs. The man probably had one of the greatest and most interesting careers in music.
Suffragette City is just a stone cold classic. The Man Who Sold the World for atmosphere and a ton of influence (particularly on the grunge movement)
Suffragette City is a must
Wham bam thank you ma'am!
Maybe a comparison of Man Who Sold The World David & Nirvana.
"The Laughing Gnome" - I remember about 4 years old in 1970, one of Bowie's first ever songs was a favourite! "Ha ha haa, Hee hee heeee, I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch meee"
It's awesome =)
I loved it and it freaked me out in equal measure 😂😂😂
David Bowie and Freddie Mercury plus Mick Jagger were three of the most flamboyant artists! Love em all! ❤️
Such a great musician and lovely person. Sad to lose him. You may not know, Jamel_AKA_Jamal, that the personnel on this song are all musicians that played with Elton John: Terry Cox on Drums, Herbie Flowers on Bass, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron and the great, late Paul Buckmaster who provided the musical arrangements on many of Elton & David's albums. The producer, Gus Dudgeon is also a feature between these two musicians....some great connections in music!
One of the greatest , by one of the greatest , reviewed by.... one of the greatest !.... thank you Jamel
Will never forget where I was the morning I learned that David Bowie died. I broke down and cried. 😔
Same here. Unfortunately I was at work.
We all did. I felt my heart break. How could the world exist without him?
I fell to my knees, he was a brother.
A lot of us did.
still making me tear up...
Bowie was probably one of the most unique entertainers to ever live.....always unique, always changing, & always brilliant!!! Some other suggestions for Bowie, it Let's dance, & Fame, both are very funky & bring out his amazing vocals!!!
My great Uncle Buford Jones is a world famous sound engineer who mixed Bowie's live sound for years. The day after Bowie passed away this was his post on FB.
In or around 1973 upon returning from touring with Skynyrd and ZZ Top (my rock roots), Showco informed me I would be going out with David Bowie. I said "maybe"..... Showco said "oh yes you will!"......"OK!. A couple of weeks later, I found myself terrified being introduced to David in his dressing room. He welcomed me so kindly and sincere where I began work with the friendliest , most caring, abundantly and uniquely talented person I would ever meet! I thank you again David for the many tours, smiles and laughs that followed with you trusting your sound to me! A privilege and an honor that shaped my career forever. I thank you for the countless wonderful memories including jammimg on guitars one night! God Bless You David and your family and may you rest in blissful peace!
Now we're talking!!! Can never have enough Bowie in life, loved him and very, very fortunate to have seen him in person about a dozen times. Such an immense catalogue, but personal favourites are 'Heroes' with its Berlin Wall references and 'Life On Mars' which described how I felt about myself as a young woman. Thank you, Jamal ✌🏼
David Bowie is such a legend......Try Fame, love that song.
Also loved that John Lennon was his backup singer.
Jeff Brisson love this song
"Young Americans" will knock your socks off.
Absolute must!
A better one is "I'm Afraid of Americans".
Or "The Man Who Sold the World". An amazing song that was also covered by Nirvana. Nirvana's version is great, but I still think the Bowie version is better.
With vocal arrangements by Luther Vandross.
David Sanborn's saxophone makes that song extra special
Check Bowie out singing Under Pressure with Freddie Mercury, great duet.
The rest of Queen participated too. John Deacon came up with the bass riff that started the song. I believe there are drums and guitar and some Queen production in there as well.
Bowie’s music had a profound impact on me growing up. It makes you think, as well as, making you emotional. It also made you dance. He is sorely missed in this period of time, when the world needs people like him. The world needs healers and thinkers, and he did both with his artistry. But, the world does have Jamel. ✌️
I STILL GET CHILLS WHEN HE SAYS 'YOUR CIRCUITS DEAD, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG'
Vincent, I get chills, and a few years earlier saw 2001 a space odyssey where the astronaut dies and floats into the void . I connected the two images and almost lost it.
I used to think he sang "your circuit said there's something wrong". It made enough sense that I never realized I was mis-hearing the words.
Same
I feel like everyone must get chills at that part
David Bowie- "I'm Afraid Of Americans"...a track he did with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails...it's amazing
I recommend: "Under Pressure" - Freddy Mercury and David Bowie
Dubbed duet... very cool...
Second a thousand percent. I think you may have already reacted to Queen's live version, but there is something truly spectacular about Mercury and Bowie in a duet.
the Music Vid is the best one. i also recommend it
I thought he already had, but I think it's just Freddie and Queen live at Wembley.
You obviously didn't listen to him....
Finally listened to this highly heralded work of David Bowie. WOW. What a voice. What a production. Yep, tears here.I wish he had his guitar out there in space with him.
I love, love, love your reactions!!! You dig deep into the lyrics, and you GET IT!!! "Planet earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do..." You understood that lyric perfectly.
Chris Hadfield a Canadian astronaut does a cover of this on the actual international Space Station it's an amazing video.
saw that just this week - it was a pretty good cover - and amazing video...
I saw it the day we learned Bowie died. It was amazing
th-cam.com/video/KaOC9danxNo/w-d-xo.html
He’s not sad because he’s lost in space, he’s sad because he has to come home!
Cristen Sieh not entirely sure about that. He has recorded it in stretches when he had a little bit of time on the ISS. They did however release the video eventually on the day he returned to Earth and landed in Russia.
Bowie loved that version. He helped him get the license for the song. According the wikipedia this song is only Bowie song he did not owned the rights.
David Bowie "Life on Mars" is a most.
"off course the earth is blue, but he's talking about this blue as in sadness". wow! I've never thought about it that way. great insight!
Blue planet
Well, thats the reason Major Tom broke the spaceship circuits, and give a message to his wife, he don't want to return to earth and he knew "the spaceship knows which way to go"... so, the Spaceship was ready to back to earth and Major Tom stop the return
The reactions give us insights us fans may never have seen... thanks Jamel!
Seriously, been listening to this song for over 50 years and never thought of it that way and Bam!! it is so obivious even in the way he delivers his vocals at that point. Thanks Jamal!
That phrase always intrigued me...I knew it had some special meaning...But on the surface, it didn't make much sense though...Never could figure it out..until now, and it does make perfect sense...David Bowie was always very conscious about the environment...To Major Tom seeing the planet in its majestic blue, but knowing the course it's been taking, and not being able to do anything about it, cannot be described more beautifully...
The other part that likewise i always wanted to figure out was the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear,"...And for that, I found the explanation in an article on line...and it turned out exactly what I was thinking it was.... 🙂
I'm not British, but I'm as passionate as a British about this sport...Here's what I found:
'In the line, "And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear," 'whose shirt you wear' is English slang for 'what football team are you a fan of?'. The thinking here being that if you can make it into space then your opinions on football matter. (Note to Americans- in this case, by "football" we mean "soccer.")'
(This takes me to another football reference in another rock classic: 'Fearless', by Pink Floyd..my personal favorite, I might add.. 😉 Guess whose shirt I wear.. 😎
Anyway, yeah I know..For some, not something very relevant, but if it was enough for David to include it in his lyrics, it is for me too..👍
Glad you’re onto Bowie! You’re in for quite a trip. “Heroes” is definitely an iconic song, “Ziggy Stardust” though would be the best one to do after this, I think. David Bowie was the only “celebrity death” that has ever made me cry. I miss him still.
Yeah, finally some Bowie!!!!!!! And on my birthday!! Perfect timing. :) Thank you!!!!! He was so totally unique. When I heard his music for the first time as a kid, I was hooked on his sound and songs and originality. He was a huge inspiration! So creative and always reinventing himself, from the Thin White Duke to Ziggy Stardust and then on from there. Thanks so much for playing this!
David Bowie is an incredible artist....he re-invented himself and his music time and time again over the years...and all of it is AMAZING!!!!!
Imagine growing up with music like this and Pink Floyd.
I'm fortunate to say that I don't have to imagine it.
I did it.
I was too young in my house to choose what music was played at this time. Praise that I had older siblings with amazing musical taste. I can't recall the "first time" hearing so much of this music - it was just *there*
I'm not too far from it, but it tok my BIL to introduce me to Floyd and Bowie came around later.
Me too. I bought Aladdin Sane and was just blown away but then heard Ziggy ...OMG what an album
Wish I knew just how freakin' good those good ole days were then.
If there's one reason why I'm glad I just squeaked in on the outer edge of the boomer years, it's the music. OMG, the f***ing music. Such an embarrassment of riches, so much so that there were bands we could afford to eyeroll at or downright despise. Now ALL OF IT sounds amazing compared to the autotuned, cookie-cutter stuff that's all over. (Except Journey. Those guys were earwormed into my brain by the radio so many times that I can't even look at one of their song titles without risking hours of frustration, LOL.)
Ground control to Major Jamel, commencing Final Countdown, engines on. Check out Starman and may God's love be with you.
And to complete the Tom story, there's Blackstar, which is an experience in itself.
I want to thank you, a 56 yr old here, Grew up listening to most what you reacting to, but in the essence of growing up, just enjoyed the music for what it was, good music. Now, at 56, slowed down a bit, listen a lil more critical, lyrics, vocal performance, production, arrangements, overlays, etc..
You and other reactors have helped me enjoy this great music all over again.
I THANK YOU
My favorite Bowie song. There has never been anyone like him. You can listen to great rock, amazing Motown, you can sing and dance and have a great time. Then Bowie comes on and you really have to pause, look and listen. You have to absorb it.
My absolute favorite. He has an awesome musical trajectory. You should check out a little from each stage . Genius music at every turn. He influenced countless after him and will continue to for generations....
Bowie is one of my all time favorites. “All the Madmen” is must listen to also.
I love this song! I don't know why but every single time I hear this song it makes me get emotional and cry a little LOL.
This song still give me chills. Takes me back to my Junior High days.....good times. 70s ruled!
I love how thoughtful you are in your reactions, and how much you appreciate the musicianship of the artists. Lovely.
Bowie was a master at continually reinventing his style of music.
Yes! Some David Bowie! Please consider reacting to more. Start with "Let's Dance", "Young Americans", "Fame", "Ziggy Stardust" "Life on Mars" and "Golden Years" would be my suggestions. He was such a beautiful soul with so much talent and a vast range to his musical style. Thank you for your videos as always.
If you're going to be listening to David Bowie, how about "5 Years"? Wonderful song from "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", though honestly, that was a pretty amazing album altogether.
One of my top five albums!
Wish I could give your comment more than 1 thumbs up ...5 years has been my fav Bowie song since I first heard it in the late 70's ..beautiful haunting sad and all around incredible ...it will never grow old
Arcrum42 even more impressive when, according to trevor bolder and woody woodmansey, every track was recorded in one take.
Every song on that album is brilliant.
he was a chameleon, he adapted to every generation of music
Every generation of music adapted to him
a chameleon blends in, Bowie was the trendsetter, ahead of the curve of all genres or music.
My husband and I saw David Bowie in Seattle in the early 2000’s . He was Great! Space Oddity used to make me cry as a young 10 year old girl!
David Bowie. His catalogue is vast and spans decades, his talent enriched music, media, art, theatre, film and fashion. He was able to reinvent himself when he became bored and was suprisingly succesful in doing so for the most part. A real legend, unique and very much missed. Much of his lesser known work buried in his albums is amongst his best.
history will be kind to him..... as big to the 70's as dylan was to the 60s.
The thing with Bowie is that every album sounds different from another; his style changes between each one. You could (and should) go down this rabbit hole for a long time. ;) Try Diamond Dogs and Hang On To Yourself.
Diamond Dogs is probably my favorite of his albums
No one could reinvent himself like Bowie.
And Hunky Dory!
Yeah, he has mastered so many different sounds! @Cami Castle me too, love that folky album Hunky Dory!
@@DaP84 Absolutely! What's not to love? Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, Life On Mars?, Kooks, Fill Your Heart. Good tunes!
Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did a song together called Under Pressure that you would love! It's also where Vanilla Ice got his sample for Ice Ice Baby!
Perish the thought of Vanilla Ice. Every time I forget that idiot, someone reminds me of that moron.
Hi Jamel, im a minner from Chile and I have always been indentify by this song. When you go far from your home for money or passion some times you felt this way man. Thnx for all your reaction.
I saw this somewhere else but here it goes: if you are feeling blue remember that our earth is roughly 4.5 billion years old and you lived at a time where you were able to listen to Bowie.
Any of his "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" period Is excellent.
My favorite album. The CD with the two bonus tracks of this one and Ziggy as demos recorded acoustically is a must.
@@danieljodrey709 Agreed!3⚡⚡⚡
One of the greatest rockers ever reinventing himself over many decades reinventing !
My favorite album David Live -
lots of his best stuff ✌😎
I bet I've listened to the whole album start - finish 1000X easy !
Yes, Bowie makes you feel like you are floating "in a most peculiar way" 😃
One of my favorite movies-David Bowie in " The Man Who Fell To Earth " 1976
Great movie, I enjoyed him in Labyrinth as well
The genius of David Bowie can’t be overstated. His body it work proves it over and over.
The songs sequel is "Ashes to Ashes".
Yes, Jamel should check that out too, and further along we have Blackstar which took the theme further, just before he died x
And then Peter Schillings', "Major Tom."
How about Peter Schilling's "Major Tom", does it count?
...and the next sequel is 'Hello Spaceboy'.
A prequel actually, Space Oddity came out in 1968 off the same titled album, Ashes To Ashes was off of Scary Monsters in 1979.
Oh hell yes! Reacting to the space god himself!
It is funny that you compare him to Freddie Mercury, because he did the song "Under Pressure" with Queen, and that is one of my all time favorite songs (and videos).
I'm having a brain fart.... didn't he do a song with Mick Jagger in the 80s too?
@@kenwelch198 yes, the one where they dsnce super corny ;D
It seems like you may've missed the point, brother: Major Tom gave himself for space exploration; he didn't come back.
So was Ashes To Ashes about pre flight Major Tom then? Or about what the press discovered about Major Tom after he passed on?
Major Tom is about Bowie's alter ego which is addicted to drugs
Which is why we find out what happened to Major Tom in "Black Star". Bowie took his life full circle. Funny, he was always so reticent to give any deep meaning to his music. Wisely, I would say. Not only did he allow others to find their own meaning in it, but it allowed him to be open in ways he didn't have to explain. Ashes to Ashes is from 1980, and is about the struggle with his becoming sober, and admitting he is/was a junkie. I saw him in 1983, at the US Festival, he was over an hour late taking the stage, not certain why. I think he was still partying but at that time of his life replacing some things with other things.
The beautiful thing about music is you can interpret it any way you like
@@stanleyteriaca2184 In Ashes to Ashes it is Tom reconnecting, but it's not necessarily about Bowie's sobriety. Bowie has blatantly said that it his epitaph for the 1970's and even childhood since some of they lyrics are like nursery rhymes.
One of the only TH-cam reactors who atually pays attention to and respects the music. Thanks J
Such a HUGE loss.....miss him tremendously....absolutely love him....what a talent...so lucky to have walked this earth with him...truly blessed.....rest in peace Mr.Bowie....
Do Bowie's "Life On Mars."
Mickie Mouse has grown up a cow...
vonVile loved the US version of the TV series.
@@theplanetruth UK version is way better.
vonVile the TV show? I liked the US version.
He’s in a class by himself, so many personalities in his music
i was crushed by his death, as were so many of us. he was one of those artists that fit every generation, he spoke to all of us. he was a both a great musician and actor, always a pleasure to hear his music or see him surprise us in a movie role. what a talent. what a loss
When I was six years old, I walked into my mother's room and this was on the television. The next day I drew my first recognizable portrait - of David Bowie. I'm a professional artist now. :D His music reaches people of all ages and walks of life, for sure.
Bowie’s “Golden Years” is incredible and you want to talk about funk? It’s in this song!
Watch Bowie in "The Man That Fell To Earth". He's an alien that is trying to save his own planet and comes here. It was made in 1976. There's things like OLED screens and other technologies that don't exist for decades.
cspringer333 when I was living in NM, I apprenticed to become a live sound engineer. The spot where he actually falls to earth is on the property of the guy I was apprenticing with.
You oughtta check his songs "I'm Afraid of Americans" and his last video "Black Star" RIP Bowie
I loved his last album. It was a beautiful goodbye with a lot of love. He’s a star up there.
Lazarus was his last vid. It was heartbreaking as he visibly looks like he was in pain.
Jamal, you are my daily dose of positive, music and love/light. Thank you for sharing these tunes/videos and bringing us all together. You are a ROCKSTAR!!!!
You are right about Bowie and Freddie Mercury. They are singers and performance artists both. Geniuses. This is the first Bowie song I ever heard. I heard it on the radio while I was in the car with my mother. LOL Crazy. I loved Bowie from that moment. When Bowie died, the online news had as its banner, Planet Earth is Blue. I knew as soon as I saw that that Bowie had died.
Finally some Bowie.
Great reaction as always. Fame is another great David Bowie song to hear next. Thanks.
Under Pressure great collaboration with Bowie & Mercury
He did it: th-cam.com/video/zkidtw2KxFk/w-d-xo.html
An ever evolving look...brilliant artist. RIP. 🌼🌸
I never get tired of hearing this one, but the quality and the caliber of the music outshines the video 100 to 1, in my opinion.
My personal favorite is "Panic in Detroit" . But the song "Five Years " will blow you away haunting lyrics thanks for the great entertaining videos!!
“The jean genie “, “Sorrow”, “where have all the good times gone”. & “panic in Detroit “
“Rebel Rebel”!
Great songs this man made...might want to do "Heroes"!!!
And Ashes To Ashes
@@stevebengel1346 and a lot of others..😉
Love that one ❤️
Yes, my absolute favorite Bowie song!
I really loved the use of Heroes in the film “JoJo Rabbit”. It’s the German version...if you haven’t seen it, it’s fantastic!
I have listened to this song for over 30 years and never picked up on the "planet earth is blue" as a sadness commentary until now. I love how watching reacts breathe new life into music I already know.
David Bowie was an amazing artist. Glad you are getting to know him.