DAVID BOWIE: 50 years ago: “Aladdin Sane” (Part 3)
David Bowie released “Aladdin Sane” 50 years ago. After taking a closer look at the circumstances and the album cover in the first two parts, we will now take a closer look at the songs. You can read part 1here.
The songs and their places of origin
1. “Watch That Man ” – New York: David Bowie was so enthusiastic about two concerts by the New York Dolls that he was inspired to write this song.
2. “Aladdin Sane” – RHMS Ellinis: On his return journey by ship to London, Bowie drew on Evelyn Waugh’s novel “Lust and Vice” (1930) as a source of inspiration.
3rd “Drive-In Saturday” – Seattle-Phoenix: A ride on the night train made Bowie notice a row of silver domes. He assumed that they could be secret government facilities intended for a post-nuclear fallout.
4. “Panic in Detroit” – Detroit: David Bowie shows urban decay, violence, drugs, emotional isolation and suicide in a gloomy way. Iggy Pop’s stories about the riots in Detroit (1967) and the rise of the White Panther Party also played a role in the creation.
5 “Cracked Actor” – Los Angeles: David witnessed prostitutes and drug use on Sunset Boulevard. The protagonist of the play is an ageing movie star.
6. “Time” – New Orleans: The lyrics were influenced by the death of New York Dolls drummer Billy Murica. The original music was written for George Underwood under the title “We Should Be on by Now”.
7 “The Prettiest Star” – Gloucester Road, London: The composition was intended as a follow-up single to “Space Oddity” (1969), but was re-recorded for “Aladdin Sane”.
8. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” – A cover song by The Rolling Stones, who particularly inspired David Bowie for this album.
9th “The Jean Genie” – New York & Detroit: The track “Bussin” was created during a jam session while driving from Cleveland to Memphis. Lyrically, an ode to Iggy Pop may also be audible.
10. “Lady Grinning Soul” – London: One of the last pieces written for the album. There is speculation as to whether the American soul singer Claudia Lennear could have been the source of inspiration. The French singer Amanda Lear, a sometime friend of Bowie’s, is also up for election.
Maria Vain
“Alladin Sane” was awarded gold three times (FR, GB, USA) and platinum once (GB). It topped the top 5 charts in numerous countries (GB, FI, NL, IT, FR, CH, AUS). Over the years, the album has been re-released again and again. The most recent release is the picture disc and 2LP for the 50th anniversary.
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