4 Best Uses of David Bowie Songs in Movies and TV Shows

David Bowie‘s works have been used in a handful of movies and TV shows that he or his estate approved of. With such an extensive catalog, there’s plenty to choose from when creating a particular mood. Here are four of the best uses of Bowie’s music in several shows and film.

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“Lazarus” — ‘Peaky Blinders’

In Season 3 Episode 5 of Peaky Blinders, David Bowie’s track “Lazarus” is used off of his final album, Blackstar from 2016. It’s used in such a way that it follows the narrative of Tommy Shelby essentially coming back from the dead, much like the biblical figure Lazarus.

While Tommy doesn’t really die, he’s injured enough in the previous episode to be on the brink of death. Inspector Campbell beat him so badly that he fractured his skull. Then, the next episode opens with Tommy’s recovery in the hospital. With “Lazarus” in the background, it serves as a strong indicator of Tommy’s character. He can be beaten within an inch of his life, but he’ll always come back, and with a vengeance.

“Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” — ‘Inglorious Basterds’

In the 2009 film Inglorious Basterds, David Bowie’s 1982 track “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” is used in the lead up to the dramatic climax. The scenes alternate between Shoshanna getting prepared for the film premiere, and her and Marcel previously preparing their revenge. The song plays in the background, softly in some scenes and obvious in others.

There’s an ominous tone to the song’s inclusion that serves to increase the tension as the film nears its conclusion. The line “putting out fire with gasoline” is almost foreshadowing, as anyone who has seen the movie knows. Sinister, ominous, and the perfect backdrop to Shoshanna’s plan for vengeance.

“Heroes” — ‘Regular Show’

In the final episode of the Cartoon Network series Regular Show, David Bowie’s 1977 track “Heroes” is used in an emotional montage. After the park crew have spent three years in space, they bring the domed park back, landing in its original spot. The main characters reunite with their families and loved ones while “Heroes” plays in the background.

It’s a little bit on the nose as far as music features go, but it still serves as an emotional series of scenes. Especially for anyone who grew up watching Regular Show. The years pass and the park crew go their separate ways, getting married, having children, starting careers. As the song and montage end, they come back to the park 25 years later. Everything is the same while also being profoundly different, and the characters move on, happy with the changes.

“Starman” — ‘1899’

The Netflix series 1899 used the David Bowie song “Starman” for its final scene, so spoilers if you haven’t seen it (you should, it’s an absolutely amazing show). After several mind-bending episodes aboard a ship in the year 1899, Maura Franklin awakens from a deep slumber. Looking out the window, she’s met with the deep blackness of outer space.

Then, “Starman” ramps up as the camera slowly zooms out. This reveals that Maura is, in fact, on a spaceship and it is not 1899. The sci-fi twists of his historical show made it thrilling to watch, hoping for the story to unfold in any way that made sense. The use of “Starman” indicates the change in landscape, genre, and time, setting the story further apart from its original state.

Photo by Lester Cohen