Probably my fave Bowie album- or at least the one that helped me locate a personal resonance with Bowie. It’s jagged, fragmented and manic- written coming off of a nasty coke addiction in Berlin (the coke addiction is NOT where I found personal resonance btw). Where in the hell am I, seems to be the question.
Always Crashing In The Same Car might be the best Bowie song. The poetics of repeated mistakes.
May 23, 2025
Related Recs
Everyone knows Bowie, but did you really?
I didn’t know enough, but over the last couple of months I decided to start listening to the man who inspired many if not all of the modern musical geniuses.
The music is beautiful:
Hunky Dory Album: incredible, makes me feel seen for my weirdness, and empowered to stand up to the man, while also loving myself more.
Lets Dance Album: Fun music to dance to, and the song Criminal World makes me think of my trans brothers & sisters who fight for their rights every day.
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) Album: first album I dove into after discovering the incredible song “Ashes to Ashes” which was also recently covered by Magdalena Bay (whom I love) on Like a Version. This entire album is not only a major political statement if you really listen, but also reminds me that I am young and not defined by the mistakes I’ve made in the past, I just need to live in the moment and enjoy everything I can.
The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust Album: I mean come on… this one is already know for being incredible, but just listen to it again in full.
“There’s a Starman waiting in the sky. He’d like to come and meet us, but he thinks he’d blow our minds” - David Bowie “Starman” from “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust”
“They got a message from the action man: ‘I’m happy, hope you’re happy too. I’ve loved all I’ve needed, love. Sordid details following… ‘I’ve never done good things, I’ve never done bad things, I never did anything out of the blue, Whoa’.” - David Bowie “Ashes to Ashes” from “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)”
4d ago
it could be im just really autistic, linking things and patterns faster than whoever, or entering my psychotic break era, but i was informed on this day in 1972 Bowie became Ziggy Stardust. I was praying to see some bowie imagery in times of mild tension and fear, and everytime the universe delivered. I was waiting for my brunch reservation, then saw a magazine with an image of a photoshoot i reference very often (the diamond dogs one pictured below) Which was shot by terry o neil, the only bowie picture book i own is one with never seen before images from the exact photographer. so these images have been great comfort to me. The later today i was sitting on the bus, i had to pee so so so bad. the bus was playing a 70s 80s 90s radio channel relatucely loud, and i prayed they would play a bowie song to keep me distracted for a couple more minutes.. BAMMM they played 'under pressure' !! What do you guys think?? am i going crazy??
Feb 10, 2025
i enjoy reading 'the bowie bible' as i listen to his albums on cd in tthe morning, to activate my brain. I tought the description of the point of view of a young soldier feels very relevant to our times
The song’s protagonist is a seventeen-year-old soldier, seeking mental escape from his service by dreaming of Berlin, London, and Cairo, and wishing to be anywhere but “training these guns on the men in the sand”.
Although Bowie gave no interviews to promote The Next Day, delegating promotional duties to his musicians and producer, he did send novelist Rick Moody a list of 42 words – three for each song on the album. Those for ‘I’d Rather Be High’ were: Indifference, Miasma, Pressgang.
Jan 28, 2025
Top Recs from @j0nn
the operatic horror of the western male!!
i think this song more than any other showcases iggy’s vocal versatility and range. snarling, caged, paranoid, ironic, wailing, tragic (like marlon brando)
i stumble into town
just like a sacred cow
visions of swastikas in my head
and plans for everyone
2d ago
if im ever in a funk i throw this on and take a hot girl walk or a nice drive. it’s just one of the best feel good songs ever imo.
this is probably one of my favorite new york albums, if not #1 for me.
i paint pictures / to remember / you’re too beautiful / to put into words
1d ago
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with the lights low! with the lights off! with a candle! i just did it so that means you should too! cleanse your psyche, there’s mental dirt and grime too, man! Let it wash down the drain!
May 25, 2025