DB isn't actually playing the piano when doing OYPT on OGWT --he's "singing [live] to a pre-recorded track," as they used to say in the day (note among other things the perfect harmonies on the backup vocals; that's how they used to do it for TV). And "Life on Mars?" was released as a single by RCA in June of 1973 to capitalize on Ziggymania ("The Man Who Sold the World" was the B side, and of course the last public Ziggy performance was on 3rd July of '73). All of this stuff can be looked up.
The dark haired guy hasn't got a clue what he's talking about... Oh You Pretty Things being a love song and Life on Mars in the midst of the Ziggymania? Meh.
@Emma8887 You're bang on. WTF is this darkhaired guy blabing about? Hunky Dory was before the Ziggy and it took a bit for Ziggy to really take off after the Rise and fall album came out.
The guy in the green shirt doesnt know what he's talking about Oh! You Pretty Things doesnt say anything about homosexuality (in the end we are what we see) the song says "...You have to make way for the homo-superior wich metaphysically says a lot about how a human should evolve to his higher self, to become more light and how that process is going to generate "conflict" in our ordinary life. Bowie read a lot about the subject of Metaphysics and we can see it in his songs
What is that guy talking about when he says Bowie's no pianist and is just barely able to play Oh You Pretty Things? I've seen that Old Grey Whistle Test clip and Bowie plays the piano fine. Doesn't look like he's struggling.
1: Bowie isn't 'missing Rick Wakeman' here, as the scottish guy suggests, because it's Bowie playing the piano on the recorded version of OYPT NOT Rick Wakeman.
2: If you look closely at The Whistle Test performance of OYPT, Bowie is miming the piano part. In fact, on all those Whistle Test performances the only live bits are Bowies voice and some of Ronsons guitar.
@precinkt Well that's interesting to know he was piano player on the recorded version... although I'm not sure he is in all honesty. I've heard the demo version that he does play on and it's not as succinct as the Hunky Dory final album recording which leads me to believe it's Wakeman. However, my point is he can play the piano part fine and wasn't hanging on by his fingernails as the guy in the clip suggests. I tend to think he's actually playing here...from 2:17 you'll see the keys go down. :)
@precinkt lol I was about to say that bowie plays on that track and many others on hunky I personally like his "honkytonk" piano playing its charming and adds to the vaudeville/music hall-ness of the album.
Correct, although it wasn't released as a *single* until the summer of '73 (and so for the specific purpose of capitalizing on Ziggymania, of course). They should've fact-checked that in the doc in any case, yup.
They did --there was a 21-minute documentary on here from Swedish TV in three parts called "Making 'Life on Mars?'". I playlisted it, but it's gone now.
Complete and total "LoM?" Interview clips with DB, Rick Wakeman, producer Ken Scott, Mick Rock.
Just outstanding, magnificent insights. Absolute shame it's gone, but it *does* exist, and it was great while it lasted. So do keep your eyes peeled --hope you get to see it.
I saw that once it aired on swedish television and thought it was great they'd dedicated it all to the song. Was looking for it here but was sad to see it wasn't to be found. Hope it re-appears one day.
Pretty things is "decadent" and "homosexual?"
It's about aliens allying with human youth to overthrow mankind, mixed in with occult/metaphysical/existentialist stuff.
I hate it when people who should know better take Bowie at face value.
MenkeriosAndemicael 7 months ago
DB isn't actually playing the piano when doing OYPT on OGWT --he's "singing [live] to a pre-recorded track," as they used to say in the day (note among other things the perfect harmonies on the backup vocals; that's how they used to do it for TV). And "Life on Mars?" was released as a single by RCA in June of 1973 to capitalize on Ziggymania ("The Man Who Sold the World" was the B side, and of course the last public Ziggy performance was on 3rd July of '73). All of this stuff can be looked up.
NebulizerChi 8 months ago
The dark haired guy hasn't got a clue what he's talking about... Oh You Pretty Things being a love song and Life on Mars in the midst of the Ziggymania? Meh.
Emma8887 1 year ago
@Emma8887 oh you pretty things is a love song for his fans
stiggyh 1 year ago
@Emma8887 You're bang on. WTF is this darkhaired guy blabing about? Hunky Dory was before the Ziggy and it took a bit for Ziggy to really take off after the Rise and fall album came out.
Johnnywhamo 8 months ago
that guy with dodgy teeth is annoying rofl
xentech 1 year ago 5
The guy in the green shirt doesnt know what he's talking about Oh! You Pretty Things doesnt say anything about homosexuality (in the end we are what we see) the song says "...You have to make way for the homo-superior wich metaphysically says a lot about how a human should evolve to his higher self, to become more light and how that process is going to generate "conflict" in our ordinary life. Bowie read a lot about the subject of Metaphysics and we can see it in his songs
cobraviper11 1 year ago
What is that guy talking about when he says Bowie's no pianist and is just barely able to play Oh You Pretty Things? I've seen that Old Grey Whistle Test clip and Bowie plays the piano fine. Doesn't look like he's struggling.
Bodacea1 2 years ago 17
@Bodacea1 For real!!! The piano was perfect for the song...it wouldn't have sounded right had someone overplayed the piano part.
rayholtz 1 year ago
@Bodacea1
i know! i thought about that as well!
TheJonashelsing 1 year ago
@Bodacea1 Two things about this.
1: Bowie isn't 'missing Rick Wakeman' here, as the scottish guy suggests, because it's Bowie playing the piano on the recorded version of OYPT NOT Rick Wakeman.
2: If you look closely at The Whistle Test performance of OYPT, Bowie is miming the piano part. In fact, on all those Whistle Test performances the only live bits are Bowies voice and some of Ronsons guitar.
precinkt 1 year ago
@precinkt Well that's interesting to know he was piano player on the recorded version... although I'm not sure he is in all honesty. I've heard the demo version that he does play on and it's not as succinct as the Hunky Dory final album recording which leads me to believe it's Wakeman. However, my point is he can play the piano part fine and wasn't hanging on by his fingernails as the guy in the clip suggests. I tend to think he's actually playing here...from 2:17 you'll see the keys go down. :)
Bodacea1 1 year ago
@Bodacea1 I'm sure. He plays on the record and he's miming on Whistle Test.
precinkt 1 year ago
@precinkt lol I was about to say that bowie plays on that track and many others on hunky I personally like his "honkytonk" piano playing its charming and adds to the vaudeville/music hall-ness of the album.
dlfunky1 4 months ago
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SACE8NYC 2 years ago
Life On Mars? wasen't written at the height of Ziggymania. Its on the Hunky Dory album. Ziggy didn't even exist yet.
charmlessman666 2 years ago 17
Correct, although it wasn't released as a *single* until the summer of '73 (and so for the specific purpose of capitalizing on Ziggymania, of course). They should've fact-checked that in the doc in any case, yup.
NebulizerChi 2 years ago
Life on Mars = Favorite Bowie track of mine. They should do a whole documentary on it.
PompadourSamurai 3 years ago 2
They did --there was a 21-minute documentary on here from Swedish TV in three parts called "Making 'Life on Mars?'". I playlisted it, but it's gone now.
Complete and total "LoM?" Interview clips with DB, Rick Wakeman, producer Ken Scott, Mick Rock.
Just outstanding, magnificent insights. Absolute shame it's gone, but it *does* exist, and it was great while it lasted. So do keep your eyes peeled --hope you get to see it.
NebulizerChi 3 years ago
Thanks man. I'll come across it someday.
PompadourSamurai 3 years ago
I saw that once it aired on swedish television and thought it was great they'd dedicated it all to the song. Was looking for it here but was sad to see it wasn't to be found. Hope it re-appears one day.
onkel44lekno 2 years ago
Their is one major thing wrong with this Documentary.. Only 1700 people have watched it !! David Bowie is Great !!!
micmore007a 3 years ago 3
love the pic at :55
Beckers45 3 years ago