I decided I would start a Bowie thread after all because since the release of The Next Day I have been rediscovering his music big time,

This goes back to 1972-73 when I was in England listening to glam rock. Songs like Rebel Rebel & The Jean Genie were absolute classics of the genre. Then there was Space Oddity; along with Elton John's Rocket Man how could you not love it?

Bowie's career has taken very interesting twists & turns. He went all white soul on us with Young Americans & Fame. He went minimalist & Kraftwerk like during the Low period with songs like Sound & Vision. Then there was Heroes; what a song, what an anthem. He also did a lot of drugs.

I bought the Ziggy Stardust abum with the astonishing guitar work of the late Mick Ronson. Every song on that album is a classic.

He reinvented himself in the early 80s with the Let's Dance album. I saw that tour; wonderful songs like the title track & Modern Love. Then he went into a period of critical disfavour with the Tin Machine project & other not well received albums.

When he released The Next Day having basically retired, it brought it all back, how great a singer & songwriter he is.

My Top 10

1. Heroes
2. Ziggy Stardust
3. Rebel Rebel
4. The Jean Genie
5. Life On Mars?
6. Space Oddity
7. Ashes To Ashes
8. Starman
9. Young Americans
10. Diamond Dogs

Although this is weighted towards the earlier material, I recommend songs like Absolute Beginners, Day In Day Out, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) and from the new album The Stars Are Out Tonight & You Feel So Lonely You Could Die.

The other thing is David was born in Brixton & grew up in Beckenham, South London, which is where I was living when we there during that 'golden year'.

When I am feeling frustrated or whatever I always quote this line from Young Americans to myself:

Ain't there one damn song that can make me... break down & cry?!