60 Years Ago Today, David Bowie Made His Solo Debut With a Song That Sounded Nothing Like His Future Hits

On this day (April 1) in 1966, David Bowie released “Do Anything You Say.” The song was the first to be credited solely to the future music icon. It failed to chart upon release and flopped again when Pye Records reissued it to capitalize on Bowie’s success after the beginning of his Ziggy Stardust era.

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Today, fans around the world remember Bowie for his large collection of classic songs and his multiple incarnations. However, in the early 1960s, David Jones was just a young artist trying to find his sound. As a result, his first four singles, released between 1964 and 1965, were all credited to different artists. It wasn’t until his fifth release, “Do Whatever You Say,” that he found a name that he could stick with.

[RELATED: The Early David Bowie Single Syd Barrett “Liked” and Even Reviewed for ‘Melody Maker’ in 1967]

He released his first single, “Liza Jane,” in 1964. It was credited to Davie Jones with the King Bees. The next year, he released “I Pity the Fool” with the Manish Boys. Davy Jones and the Lower Third was the name stamped on his second 1965 release, “I Pity the Fool.” The future legend got a step closer with “Can’t Help Thinking About Me,” credited to David Bowie and the Lower Third.

While Bowie landed on a moniker that stuck in 1966, he wouldn’t release a single that put him on the map until 1969. That year, he released “Space Oddity.” It was his first single to reach the charts and became his first No. 1 in the United Kingdom thanks to its use during the BBC’s broadcast of the moon landing.

David Bowie Fans Likely Wouldn’t Recognize “Do Anything You Say”

While it is true that David Bowie’s sound changed several times over the course of his career, his solo debut is completely different than the rest of his output. As a result, only his most dedicated fans would likely recognize that it was from the “Golden Years” singer’s discography.

While “Do Anything You Say” flopped upon release and has been panned by future critics and biographers, it is an important step in David Bowie’s legendary journey. It also stands as proof that we all have to start somewhere.

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