David Bowie is best known for his larger-than-life persona, his flamboyant and culture-changing aesthetics, and his legendary songs. He’s also known for having an unusual voice. Some love it, some don’t. I think that Bowie had an incredible and unique voice, personally. And just because a vocalist leans toward the avant-garde, it doesn’t mean they aren’t genuinely good singers. Let’s look at how David Bowie fits that bill by revisiting some of his finest vocal tracks!
Videos by American Songwriter
“Golden Years”
This song is a great example of how unique a singer David Bowie was, even if he didn’t have the range or traditional sound of some of his contemporaries in pop and rock. In the 1975 song “Golden Years” from Station To Station, Bowie’s voice suits the funky movement of the song beautifully. Without that funk and the overall instrumentation, Bowie’s voice still shines. It’s wild to think that this tune was originally put together for Elvis, too.
“Changes”
Many people adore “Changes”, and for good reason. It’s one of Bowie’s finest tunes, and like many of the best songs of all time, it was originally a bit of a filler track. That intention didn’t dampen the quality of the song, though. It’s a standout release from 1971, and Bowie’s early-70s vocal style is artistic and captivating when heard without the song’s instrumentation.
“Under Pressure”
This is the one song from David Bowie that I think really exemplifies how talented a vocalist he was. Not only is the ending of “Under Pressure” a climactic, emotionally devastating composition, but Bowie delivers line after line in a way that just gets under your skin. The decision to weave Bowie and Freddie Mercury’s vocals in and out of each other made the song all the more heavenly, too.
“Starman”
Some might say that David Bowie didn’t have range, but I think this example of his best vocal tracks proves otherwise. Throughout “Starman”, Bowie exhibits excellent control over volume and manages to maintain a certain level of vocal energy throughout the song. When you listen to it without the accompanying instrumentation or effects, his voice really does sound beautiful.
Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage
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