I like quite a few Bowie songs but I’ve never listened to any of his albums in full, so I made the decision to listen to all of his albums in chronological order.
First album, “David Bowie”, 1967.
I started the album with the opener, ‘Uncle Arthur’, and my first thought was “oh god, what have I gotten myself into?”. This song set the tone for the rest of the album, a lot very corny 60’s songs that seem to be almost like a modernised vaudeville style. I think it’s the heavy use of horns and organs in the instrumentals that gives the album a circus-y feel.
One of the central themes on the album is that of childhood innocence, which fits the silly, cheery instrumentals. But there are also songs with much darker heavier lyrics such as “We Are Hungry Men” and “She’s Got Medals”, which still share the same instrumental style.
The highlight of the album, for me, was its only single ‘Love You Til Tuesday’. I’m a bit of a sucker for corny love songs, so this one made its way to my playlist. Cheeky and silly, in a good way.
“Come And Buy My Toys” was another highlight, the plucky acoustic guitar was a nice break from the horns, woodwinds and organs.
The closer, “Please Mr Gravedigger” was very unexpected based on the tone of the rest of the album. After all the songs about children playing and generally being happy, to have a song written from the perspective of a child murderer was completely out of left field, especially when performed a cappella against the ambient sound effects.
Overall, this album wasn’t for me. The cheesiness was a bit too much for my personal tastes, but it’s interesting to see where David Bowie started off from. I’m looking forward to listening to more albums to hear his progression as an artist.
What’s everyone else’s thoughts on David Bowie, 1967?
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Yeah it’s not an album I return to, but it has its moments. It’s a snapshot of a young ambitious man trying to find his voice
That’s true. Is it just me, or does his voice sound older on this album? Hard to believe he’s only a teenager here.
He’s imitating Anthony Newley.
It’s very affected.
That album is absolutely precious imo. I feel like it speaks to the experience of a 20 year old starting on a new life journey and mourning his own childhood innocence and simplicity. And I made that same decision to go through all of his stuff chronologically a few years ago, and I make a point to listen to all of his albums from David Bowie to Blackstar once a year. It takes me a couple months each time, but I mostly just listen to it at work, and I can get through about 6 hours of listening on an 8 or 9 hour shift. I listen to each album twice usually, just to really let it soak in. It’s a fantastic voyage my friend, I envy you a little, those dawning moments of realization that I’d found something that spoke to me so directly on so many different levels felt like David reaching out across time and space to hug me and claim me as part of his collective.
Thanks for your reply! And great point regarding the mourning of his own childhood.
It's the only Bowie album I consider "bad" even though it's interesting to hear where he started. Imo he made a gigantic quantum-leap from this one to his second album, which I really love and think is quite underrated. Looking forward to seeing how you like that one!
So am I. The only song I know from that one is Space Oddity, so it will be interesting to see which songs accompany it.
This album seemed jarringly out of date when I first heard it as a teenager in the mid-1980s; presumably more so to modern listeners. OP's description "modernised vaudeville style" is pretty accurate. This is a pre-rock'n'roll type of sound, the arrangements are consistent with musical theatre, 50s/ 60s film soundtracks etc - plenty of woodwind and brass. Bowie is (admittedly, I seem to recall) heavily influenced here by UK stage and screen star of the 50s and 60s, Anthony Newley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Newley
Some of the songs are quite memorable; there is a focus (consistent with the era, and I suppose with Bowie's later work) on creating characters and telling stories. It is all a bit "literal" though. I love the use of sound effects eg in "Please Mr Gravedigger". A diverting curio from another era. The great man hasn't really found his footing yet.
Yeah, it is clearly from another time. And definitely not my cup of tea, coming from someone who’s probably half your age haha.
Was it already dated when new? It seems a bit old fashioned compared to what The Kinks were doing in 1964, or what The Doors did on their debut album from ‘67?
And now that you bring it up, I can hear the musical theatre influences.
Good point about it all being very literal, I’m looking forward to Bowie’s more abstract works.
I agree, I think there is a good argument that it was already a bit dated in 1967. UK 1967 top 40 included some old-fashioned numbers from Gene Pitney and Engelbert Humperdinck, but also more forward-looking music like the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour EP including "I Am the Walrus", and "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix! Outside the hit parade, the first Velvet Underground Record came out in the same year.
Good point! It seemed like it was certainly a transitional period in popular music, and culture in general.
I’ve listened to a fair bit of the Beatles discography, and a little bit of Hendrix. But none of The Velvet Underground! All I know is their album cover with the warhol banana. But it’s on my list of albums I need to listen to. Maybe after all the Bowie ones?
You should definitely checkout Velvet Underground, fantastic and extremely influential!
Definitely listen to the velvet underground!
"Queen Bitch" from Hunky Dory (1971) is Bowie's nod to the Velvet Underground, the only "heavy" guitar song on the record.
This stuff was out of date when it came out, tbh
First listen seems silly and boring, but later the album got under my skin to be honest. A lot of songs are from children's point of view ("There Is a Happy Land," "Uncle Arthur," "Sell Me a Coat"), there's this recurring motif of distrust in adults ("adults aren't allowed there, mr. grownup"), that was apparent in Bowie's young revolt (for example, the long hair interview, etc.). I enjoy that aesthetic of the early 20th century ("Rubber Band"). The songs are really calm and positive, representing the idea of "simple times". Some songs even have that Jugband Blues trumpets. I love listen to this album, but people tend to hate it here.
I listened to it a few times, and it didn’t really grow on me. I think the genre is just not my cup of tea, even though I appreciate some of the lyrical content.
I got interested in Bowie in the late 60s through older siblings. I shared your journey, except in real time. The advantage I had was no bias stemming from popular music now and in the years between. Once Bowie took off into his own unique sound and ideas, sounds came from the radio/record player that no one else was recording at the time. The point I'm making is that he was way ahead of his time with regard to sound.
If you haven't listened to Bowie previously, expect change.
Enjoy your musical travels 🎶🎤
I know his big singles, and a bit about his characters and artistry. I’ve watched a few documentaries, but it was Moonage Daydream which inspired me to take on this journey through his discography.
I can’t imagine what it would have been like to experience it in real-time. For me, his music has always been there.
That’s the one thing I’m apprehensive about, will my lack of cultural context of the time period affect how I perceive his songs, versus how they would have sounded at the time?
I sometimes find it when I watch older movies, I can appreciate their quality and influence but they don’t leave me with the same impact than what their original audience would have experienced.
But with music, like film, the cream rises to the top and the good quality stuff always sticks around.
Keep your ears and mind open. Maybe look up what was going on in history to get a feel for what he might be protesting. Not a deep dive, just a few headlines.
I envy the fact that you can listen to them back to back rather than have to wait and wait and wait... You also aren't forced to listen to whatever was popular when out with friends or on dates because they listened to "pop". And in my personal opinion you are blessed to have missed disco!
I’m aware of the major historical events at the time, but maybe my experience of listening to music in retrospect will be different to listening to it at the time.
And I do have to listen to current day pop music, but I actually like music from lots of different genres and eras, so I actually enjoy some of it.
It's an outlier for sure. He absolutely rebooted his entire career with the next one. However, I admit I do go back to this album from time to time. The highlights you mentioned are the same ones I like best.
Yes, it’s definitely not what I was expecting. Looking forward to his 1969 album.
It’s like looking at his middle school yearbook pictures. Good for a laugh. But his real career hadn’t started yet
I did this too as my summer vacation going thru every album and appreciating what a true genius and Renaissance man the incomparable David Bowie still is. I only got to see one concert in 1974, but was a fan way before that.
Wow! Seeing him live in 74 would have been an experience!!
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0FjFEuKt6CoUiY73DMdK5N?si=rhzmtVZGS_y8lyh6fgzkGw
Also, I was amazed to learn that he had no hit singles before this. He got his first album deal off the back of his raw talent and enthusiasm.
His best album, without a doubt.
David Pretty much disowned this album once his career really took off with ZiggyStardust. Although decades later he did revisit and record a couple of the tracks from this era
I think he pretty much already disowned it in 1969
Makes sense! I can see how it’s not really reflective of his later work.
Will be interesting to hear the re-recorded versions.
Maybe I’m mistaken, but is this album the one with silly boy blue?