David Bowie Lives On

This month may have been the first time you’ve heard his name, but David Bowie has been a worldwide icon for decades. The revered singer passed away this January just days after the release of his last album. Bowie touched the lives of many with his iconic riffs, powerful lyrics, and extravagant on-stage personas. From Aladdin Sane to Ziggy Stardust, his many alter egos, boundary-pushing fashion choices, and distinct musical style remained one of a kind. But what was it about his music that made it so special?

“I’ve got nothing to do with music,” Bowie once told an interviewer, a statement which encompasses his style completely. While he was often associated with glam rock, Bowie had no genre—he waltzed around rock music, drawing on new influences for every album from folk, jazz, or whatever else floated his boat. He took bits and pieces of classic hits and, often with the help of many musicians, warped them into something else altogether. He ridiculed the typical habits and sounds of rock music at the time by doing his own thing, often shocking audiences with loud expressions of sexuality and musical eccentricity.

Alongside his sound were his spectacular lyrics. Perhaps one of his most memorable tracks, Bowie’s first hit “Space Oddity” tells the story of a disenchanted man entirely through the extended metaphor of an astronaut getting lost in space. “Planet earth is blue and there’s nothing I can do,” he sings connotatively. While his albums were often highly theatric and conceptual, his lyrics were heavy with universal themes that resonated deeply with his fans. In the impending fictional doomsday of “Five Years,” Bowie is grateful to “all the nobody people, and all the somebody people” for having simply existed. I believe his ability to take simple phrases like these and give them his own profound meanings is truly remarkable.

What I like most about Bowie was that he was always able to surprise me. “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring,” he promised his avid fans. Before I stumbled upon his music, I considered myself a very particular music fan with a very specific taste. I soon found myself falling in love with every one of his hits, each one more obscure than the last. In a way, I credit Bowie with opening my mind to the limitless possibilities of music and the potential in all kinds of different genres.

Despite his passing, it’s no question that David Bowie lives on. Whatever your musical preference, here is a rock star that really is worth a listen. And whether you’re in it for his insane vocals, heart-wrenching music, or empowering lyrics, expect the full package. To get a glimpse of his music, start by checking out “Let’s Dance,” “Rebel Rebel” and “Life on Mars?” or the playlist below.

Ana Ghiban