Decoding David Bowie's Harmonic Language - Composer Insights
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Date: 2022-03-28
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Comments and reviews: 10
Nigel
I have heard that the harmony for this song had originally come from the French song 'Comme d'Habitude' which is better known to the world as 'My Way' after Frank Sinatra's recording of it in 1969. Apparently David Bowie had been working on a translation/adaptation of this song but, to his disappointment, the recording company chose Paul Anka's version. This was what led Bowie to write his own song on the chords with which he had become so familiar. It was a blessing in disguise really, especially considering that David Bowie came so close to getting a more conventional line of work, far from the glamour and limelight that he would eventually discover.
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I have heard that the harmony for this song had originally come from the French song 'Comme d'Habitude' which is better known to the world as 'My Way' after Frank Sinatra's recording of it in 1969. Apparently David Bowie had been working on a translation/adaptation of this song but, to his disappointment, the recording company chose Paul Anka's version. This was what led Bowie to write his own song on the chords with which he had become so familiar. It was a blessing in disguise really, especially considering that David Bowie came so close to getting a more conventional line of work, far from the glamour and limelight that he would eventually discover.
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Aftrn
When I listened to -See Emily Play- in the 70's from Bowie's Pin Ups album I really sensed he knew his music when at the end of the song you'll hear it drift off into classical music! But...not just any old classical music it's Bach's Sinfonia to Cantata #29, which was also popular from -Switched on Bach- at the time. It just made me like and respect his music even more.
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When I listened to -See Emily Play- in the 70's from Bowie's Pin Ups album I really sensed he knew his music when at the end of the song you'll hear it drift off into classical music! But...not just any old classical music it's Bach's Sinfonia to Cantata #29, which was also popular from -Switched on Bach- at the time. It just made me like and respect his music even more.
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Terry
Rick Wakeman, played piano on Life On Mars, the story he tells is that the song is based around his improvised piano part, which explains the clever harmony as Rick is a great musician. Apparently, David Bowie invited Rick Wakeman to be in The Spiders From Mars, but Rick declined as he had already agreed to join Yes
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Rick Wakeman, played piano on Life On Mars, the story he tells is that the song is based around his improvised piano part, which explains the clever harmony as Rick is a great musician. Apparently, David Bowie invited Rick Wakeman to be in The Spiders From Mars, but Rick declined as he had already agreed to join Yes
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Ships
One of Bowie-s less accessible tunes harmonically, but some of his best published work back then; I think that Rick Wakeman might-ve played piano parts on that recorded song.
I don-t believe Bowie was the most prolific piano player..Mick Ronson did the arranging on that one for Bowie.
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One of Bowie-s less accessible tunes harmonically, but some of his best published work back then; I think that Rick Wakeman might-ve played piano parts on that recorded song.
I don-t believe Bowie was the most prolific piano player..Mick Ronson did the arranging on that one for Bowie.
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David
Hi there. Just wondered if you think Bowie deliberately created that progression or was it through trial and error and by ear when he composed it?
You're probably not allowed to post it but would love to hear you play that from start to finish
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Hi there. Just wondered if you think Bowie deliberately created that progression or was it through trial and error and by ear when he composed it?
You're probably not allowed to post it but would love to hear you play that from start to finish
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Tubemanjac
0:31 The words of this song are not that obvious at all, even more they were purposely chosen in a context that make them unexplainable. David wanted the audience to give their own personal explanation, as he stated in an interview.
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0:31 The words of this song are not that obvious at all, even more they were purposely chosen in a context that make them unexplainable. David wanted the audience to give their own personal explanation, as he stated in an interview.
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Mark
David Bowie's revenge on -My Way.- A long story, but worth seeking out. Rick Wakeman was the genius that did the arrangement oaths and he's classically trained. He also turned down going the Spiders from Mars to join Yes.
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David Bowie's revenge on -My Way.- A long story, but worth seeking out. Rick Wakeman was the genius that did the arrangement oaths and he's classically trained. He also turned down going the Spiders from Mars to join Yes.
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Carlos
That is an awfull lot of design that went into the harmonic structure. I always ask myself if the artists came up with all this spontaneously or if they sat down and thought all this through.
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That is an awfull lot of design that went into the harmonic structure. I always ask myself if the artists came up with all this spontaneously or if they sat down and thought all this through.
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Vincent
Brilliant video thanks! The Cardiacs are an interesting band (if you don't know them already). They use incredibly interesting chord progressions in an alternative pop/rock vein.
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Brilliant video thanks! The Cardiacs are an interesting band (if you don't know them already). They use incredibly interesting chord progressions in an alternative pop/rock vein.
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Frank
Rick Wakeman who played the piano on this song, also played Morning has broken -Cat Stevens, and did a clever piano arrangement that modulates. Maybe worth doing a video Gareth?
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Rick Wakeman who played the piano on this song, also played Morning has broken -Cat Stevens, and did a clever piano arrangement that modulates. Maybe worth doing a video Gareth?
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