I have the actual footage of this performance and two others by Bowie with Klaus and Joey Arias singing backup on my channel from this episode of Saturday Night Live.
@ferdinandsouz Please let us know about any other rare Bowie performances you might know of. I thought I'd seen everything he'd ever done. It's great to keep finding 'new' old work. <3 <3 <3 ! ! !
@KingOfUm: I'm sorry to hear you've gotten so many negative comments. I personally think this is a gem. Thanks for posting it. I, for one, appreciate people sharing these rarities on YouTube.
YouTube actually forbids me from posting a link from Vimeo. Haha How about that, folks. Bowie has always been generous with sharing his stage with people as talented as he, if not more so. The rare "More so" was Klaus Nomi. 3970155
@ApeDrape8 I understand what you're saying, but is it really fair to say Nomi is more talented than Bowie? Don't get me wrong, to each his own, but Bowie is a multi-instrumentalist, a great singer as well, and most of all an actual, extremely successful, songwriter, plus he's done some good work as an actor.
@KingOfUm Marilyn Manson is a moreso musical artist too. I think David Bowie spent of his career trying to keep up with the music industry honestly. He's done some great stuff, no doubt, but Manson has released a tighter body of work.
@LordKalbert I'm a big Manson fan myself, though and agree in some respects; I do also think Bowie does have a tendency to follow in other's footsteps (especially his early career), but both of them have definitely made a huge influence in the music industry respectively.
@KingOfUm Yeah. Bowie has released, like 30 albums. Manson only 7. I don't know if that proves or smooths over anything that I said before. I was actually really liking Klaus Nomi until I realized everything he's done was a cover. He's almost like Weird Al.
I have only ever seen this performance on Klaus Nomi's documentary (The Nomi Song), and on the show when it aired. So, someone is bringing the hammer down when it comes to this particular video. I mean, look at how many other videos that get a pass (SNL and Bowie). I appreciate that you posted this; I wouldn't get the chance to hear it, otherwise. Oh, and I agree with Kyle--if the haters had something else to do with their lives, they wouldn't have the time to hate.
I don't mean to hate on your vid man, but I dislike your choice of pic it could scare small children... I'd put that on my door for Halloween just to keep the lil. bastards away >_>
Allthough i see Bowie as the greatest artist to date, Klaus Out shines him on this performance, On the vid you can see Bowie trying to match his notes.....Bowie made this song, Klaus sent it into orbit
Nomi has the greatest fanbase I've ever encountered. Just the most appreciative and imaginative people, all coming together in admiration for a brilliant visionary. Happy days! x
@leonakita The only reason Boys Keep Swinging is on YT is cos it's completely out of sync. And KingOfUm is right, the sound quality is much better here than on the video.
Anyway, if you want to see it, go to Google in the ''videos'' section & type ''Bowie Nomi''.
@leonakita I was going to post over here what I sent you, but YT didn't allow me to do it. I wanted everyone to see the link, cos I'm not sure it appears on everyone's computer when they go to Google videos and search ''Bowie Nomi''. It's also from SNL and it's TVC 15 + Boys Keep Swinging (but in sync this time!). If you don't see it appearing, put your computer in French. It's on a French site & you have to register & just like for the vid of TMWSTW, you can email it all to yourself.
Nomi's haunting voice kicks this song up a notch. Nomi's costume and it's creation is well-documented. This is no detraction to Bowie: many geniuses are known ass-holes.
@frederico1936 not even Bowie was first. If you watch the documentary about Klaus, The Nomi Song, it says that Bowie was inspired by somebody else's costume (I foret his name, sorry!)
@RevAndroid Hi, I've been trying to see The Nomi Song and I can't.
There's a site called The Nomi Song, but they don't show the documentary, only talk about it. Then, I did as someone suggested in a Nomi page and went to Snagfilms and searched for it, that didn't work either. I even d/loaded the free version of Snagfilms, only to realize it's not free at all.
If you could help perhaps help me, it would be really appreciated.
@conkpit: the video is available elsewhere, and while it is not much of a revelation, it bears details the ear alone cannot detect. The pleasure of visual impressions is much older than MTV, or even Gaga.
I think, best audio part is from 2:19, when Nomi starts shining and Bowies voice adapts to his. That's as great as it is short. The ending is of course stolen from Karn Evil 9 (for the defence of the woman who is for unknown reasons not attacked here yet, though Nomi is mentioned ;)
I used to have the video to this song a few years back. But my computer crashed and I lost it! At least I can hear the audio now..I love this version!!!
What a wonderful find! I saw pics from the performance in 1980 and saw the whole wearing his" chaiman Mao stewerdess outfit" along with Klaus Nomi backing and I felt so disappointed that I had / have never seen it BUT this has made me smile - many many thanks - suppose I'll just have to keep searching!
They go so perfect together. This is my favourite version of the song. I miss the video, but I've been longing to at least hear this again for the longest time.
I saw this video the night is originally aired on SNL. Don't forget that apart from Bowie and Nomi that Joey Arias was the man in red singing background beside them. A lot of people forget that. Will never forget Bowie's "box" costume they had to lift him to/from stage - also cool was the pink poodle doll with the TV inside.
Thank you for sharing this, with or without video. I was 11 or 12 when it aired and it had such an impact on me that I can still hear and see Klaus Nomi singing "Not you!" in my mind and I'm 43 now. It took me a while to remember it. Whenever I'd hear Nirvana's version I'd try to figure out where I'd heard it before. One day it all came back to me clear as a bell, everything: David Bowie, Saturdaynight Live, Klaus Nomi. Not Bowie's costume though. good pic of that on Nomi's page on Wikipedia.
This is a real treat. It would be cool if they tossed this in, along with the other two songs Bowie and Klaus did on SNL, along with I Pray Ole and the alternate Look Back in Anger for a Lodger re-issue.
I only JUST discovered Klaus Nomi, promptly grabbed Za Bakdaz from itunes and am now hunting for his first album, so I'm still an overreactive new fan.
@audrinaINchains And thank you for appreciating it. As for the quality, I personally tried to fix it up and I think it sounds considerably better than the original video clip.
I was hoping to see this groundbreaking performance. It was mentioned in the bio book called "Bowie" by Marc Spitz, and shocked his band with his get up that night. Sorry it's not here :(
@Preliminimal Read the damn uploader comment in which I explain all the valid reasons for why no video footage, I'm so sick of people bitching about this, it's embarrassing.
FOR THE RECORD: I'm sick of messages and comments whining about this being audio only, here's why no video of the performance:
1 Just about every time someone uploads the video of the performance it gets deleted from yt; my upload however has remained for a good standing time because it is audio only.
2 I don't have the video, just the audio, I did not intentionally upload ONLY audio, so stop insulting me.
3 The sound quality of my copy succeeds that of the video passed around the internet.
@KingOfUm i appreciate the sound being awesome, cuz many vids are poor sound or out of sync which doesnt do it for me, i love bowie and nomis backing is great for the song
@KingOfUm I guess there's a copyright thing or something. Thanks for posting. All these years I never knew it was a David Bowie song Nirvana was covering. Thanks again.
@KingOfUm Don't sweat it, man. Music is meant to be heard...not seen. Visual media such as MTV and VH1 has for many years spoiled our appreciaton for the true art of composed and ordered sound.
the video that goes with this is too fantastic to not be on here.............somebody do something. The outfits that Klaus and Joey and David Bowie wore were awesome. The DVD of Klaus's life --- NOMI SONG ---- has the footage and I highly suggest anyone who loves Klaus should own a copy.............it is priceless!
I saw this when I was kid when it first aired on SNL. I remembered it for years. Then, when I finally got into Klaus Nomi, it all came roaring back to me. On of the best performances ever on SNL enhanced by Nomi and Joey Arias. I would kill to have this on cd. RIP Nomi. You are missed dearly and shall never be replaced.
@KingOfUm sorry man, didnt intend to lay blame, just wondering if there was a video and wtf not... strange because there is video of this SNL encore performance of 'boys keep swinging'. Don't take it personal, and thanx for the audio!
It did get shown on here years ago - on and off (I saw it) - but SNL now keep a hawk eye on YouTube and get everything they own gets taken down almost as soon as someone tries to put it up.
@EbolaReston12 I knew beforehand the man who sold the world is Bowie's no need to say that, even so, nirvana played it best. No matter what you say, it is even considered one of the greatest covers of all time.
@Obliverated you my sir dont understand classics, so what kurt is dead i say nirvana sucks when i was in middle school in 2003 people were hooked on nirvana, then i found out about bowie and was able to tell people that the man who sold the world is one of bowie's songs and they covered it, wasw great to see them die a bit inside
this is an incredible version.bowie s voice and klau s voice are amazing together.this is better than nirvana.well,as u know,bowie composed this not kurt cobain.nirvana s version is kind of boring,not so good
@KingOfUm Rofl, they probably were not Nirvana fans... Anyone who love Nirvana know that in the Unplugged version Kurt gave due credit to David Bowie once the finished. He says it immediately after and paid homage in his own way, which was really good... In my opinion.
I'm not a fan of their music myself, though I do respect their work. I don't know, I must be biased against them somehow, maybe it was because of having to spend my elementary and high school years listening to everyone's obsessions with them.
@KingOfUm I understand your sentiments. I think it's only because Nirvana has so many fans -- anyone with half a brain knows this is Bowie's song. Nirvana did a decent job -- a great job in hindsight of what would happen -- but this is Bowie's song.
Once again, everytime the video version is shown it only lasts for about a month before it get's removed......................anybody know WHY that is?
I think not only does Bowie have a very DISTINCTIVE voice but he was a INSPIRED GENIUS in how he vocalized.
I just saw a documentary about Klaus Nomi. Too bad David Bowie could not have helped Klaus more. According to the documentary Klaus never performed with Bowie anywhere again.
I just was thinking about this for some reason and went on a search. I remember watching SNL this night and was really impressed with the Bowie performance. This version of the song is really great. There was also Boys Keep Swinging with the puppet bodies and a performance of TVC15. This is just bringing back memories of all kinds of great musical performances from SNL, The Midnight Special, Don Kirshners, etc. - Many lost forever I guess..
You say Bowie's wardrobe inspired Nomi, but it looks to me like Riff and Magenta's space costumes from Rocky Horror, which came out 3 or 4 years before.
Is there any chance that the original clip from SNL can get posted again, legally? Is NBC the one holding it up?
In the mean time I guess this will do, thanks KingOfUm. This, and the memory of watching it more than 30 years ago - the visually striking performance is still seared in my noggin.
Probably my favorite live version of this song. Bowie and Nomi's vocals prove that opposites do attract, or in this case, work together perfectly. Thanks for the info about Bowie/Nomi's outfit, btw. :)
It wasn't that Bowie had such a great voice, it is what he did with his voice! Thats his genious, his intelligence. You can be pretty, you can have a great voice, but you are still dull, and banal because you dont have "vision". or a point of view. This is what is missing today. Cardboard people... This is what people like Bowie, Nomi
@jeancocteau1 just my humble opinion but i think bowie is one of the great voices in pop music. he had great pitch, awesome range, and the ability to make his voice sound like different singers in the multiple overdubs he would do in his recordings. i'd be curious who you would think had a "great" voice if bowie didn't. i'm sorry... i don't think this comment was said perfectly at all. bowie had a certain operatic, over stated quality that put him on his own pedestool.
This was the episode he also did TVC15 on. I still wish I could find the SNL vid of that performance. That chorus to TVC15 still gets me. DB certainly has his own sound and edge.
@claymohr. You can get that on DVD or if you have NETFLIX you can watch it on demand right now! I did. :) I was in highschool and remembered that like it was yesterday. That crazy dog with the TV monitor in his mouth. (Fall 79)
Just type in David Bowie Klaus Nomi Man Who Sold World on the google search engine and there are some links with the video. I watched it a few days ago.
this was an amazing performance in terms of the "theatrical" Bowie... and back in the day when SNL was something to stay home to watch... artists took chances on SNL then... now the biggest risk they take is whether they'll get caught lip-synching!
@skorli Klaus Nomi en esta cancion lo hacia mejor que David Bowie, por eso nunca mas lo llamó, ni a su amigo Joey Arias. Klaus Nomi genio y figura hasta en la sepultura. R.I.P.
the best performance of this song ever- with the quirky SNL band, and Nomi & company's inspired operatic back up singing- which is more like a call and response duet culminating in a haunting finale. not to mention the over the top costumes and staging. This is as theatrical as it gets and truly other worldly. Lulu and Nirvana's covers were inspiring but this is my fav version.
this is the Bowie performance that changed my whole life forever...i have to see the visual..where cani get it...but the audio will do for now..the best version of the song e
I have the actual footage of this performance and two others by Bowie with Klaus and Joey Arias singing backup on my channel from this episode of Saturday Night Live.
Maenay 3 weeks ago
Two epic artists, one epic performance.
lexigore 1 month ago
Beats the hell out of Kurt.
IoEstasCedonta 1 month ago
@IoEstasCedonta But really... what doesn't?
AssassinTheHasson 2 weeks ago
Get this fantastic video back on YouTube. I'm loosing my respect for this medium.
holzg01 1 month ago
The greatest performance of the 20th century right here - Bowie, Nomi & Arias - the Holy Trinity of the Avant-Garde!
Messylin 2 months ago 4
This has been flagged as spam show
Folks, Klaus Nomi and David Bowie:
watch?v=gVUJWo7Q2sQ
watch?v=_0rRgkUOd3s
You must see!
ferdinandsouz 3 months ago 2
Folks, lets see the real video here: vimeo dot com/3970155 :D
Bowie and Nomi forever!
ferdinandsouz 3 months ago 7
@ferdinandsouz That was WONDERFUL . Thank you so much for!!!!! Bowie and Nomi 4ever!! :-D
TheRoadToShambala 2 months ago
@TheRoadToShambala You're welcome :D
ferdinandsouz 2 months ago
@ferdinandsouz Please let us know about any other rare Bowie performances you might know of. I thought I'd seen everything he'd ever done. It's great to keep finding 'new' old work. <3 <3 <3 ! ! !
TheRoadToShambala 2 months ago
@TheRoadToShambala Of course I'll do it... see the personal message I send to you.
ferdinandsouz 2 months ago
I love how Bowie can change his own voice
ferdinandsouz 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@KingOfUm: I'm sorry to hear you've gotten so many negative comments. I personally think this is a gem. Thanks for posting it. I, for one, appreciate people sharing these rarities on YouTube.
geofflilley 3 months ago
Comment removed
geofflilley 3 months ago
YouTube actually forbids me from posting a link from Vimeo. Haha How about that, folks. Bowie has always been generous with sharing his stage with people as talented as he, if not more so. The rare "More so" was Klaus Nomi. 3970155
ApeDrape8 3 months ago 2
@ApeDrape8 I understand what you're saying, but is it really fair to say Nomi is more talented than Bowie? Don't get me wrong, to each his own, but Bowie is a multi-instrumentalist, a great singer as well, and most of all an actual, extremely successful, songwriter, plus he's done some good work as an actor.
KingOfUm 3 months ago 3
@KingOfUm Marilyn Manson is a moreso musical artist too. I think David Bowie spent of his career trying to keep up with the music industry honestly. He's done some great stuff, no doubt, but Manson has released a tighter body of work.
LordKalbert 2 months ago
@LordKalbert I'm a big Manson fan myself, though and agree in some respects; I do also think Bowie does have a tendency to follow in other's footsteps (especially his early career), but both of them have definitely made a huge influence in the music industry respectively.
KingOfUm 2 months ago
@KingOfUm Yeah. Bowie has released, like 30 albums. Manson only 7. I don't know if that proves or smooths over anything that I said before. I was actually really liking Klaus Nomi until I realized everything he's done was a cover. He's almost like Weird Al.
LordKalbert 2 months ago
Another part of the performance is on vimeo (11266825). Not this one, which is very good actually! Thanks.
obsartv 3 months ago
THE VOICE OF KLAUS NOMI IS BETTER THAT DAVID BOWIE
VenetianFaces 3 months ago
@VenetianFaces THE TYPISTRY OF KLAUS NOMI IS PROBABLY BETTER THAN THAT VENETIANFACES
breakfastisgo 2 months ago
I love david bowie to death but Klaus over powered david's voice in the ending, still a beautiful performance!
avaphynx 4 months ago
If I uploaded the clip and flipped the image, do you guys think it would still get removed?
redrover327 4 months ago
I remember seeing this on SNL when I was about 13 or 14 and it so f**ing blew me away. I would give anything to track down the video!
asy4 4 months ago
@asy4 I think it's on vimeo.
redrover327 4 months ago
it was for television, I saw a part of it
johnsydjimi 4 months ago
Is that Martin Sheen introducing?
pepsibookcat 4 months ago in playlist pepsibookcat's Favorited Videos
You can see it on Photobucket or Vimeo... YouTube won't let me post the link here. If you really want to see it...Google...Video,
choad1976 4 months ago
I have only ever seen this performance on Klaus Nomi's documentary (The Nomi Song), and on the show when it aired. So, someone is bringing the hammer down when it comes to this particular video. I mean, look at how many other videos that get a pass (SNL and Bowie). I appreciate that you posted this; I wouldn't get the chance to hear it, otherwise. Oh, and I agree with Kyle--if the haters had something else to do with their lives, they wouldn't have the time to hate.
karmadhyana 4 months ago
AAAHHH!!! I have been completely smitten with this for YEARS!
Is there anywhere at all I can get the mp3 of this performance, PLEASE?!?!?
pepsibookcat 4 months ago
Very bizarre performance on SNL. Very weird and odd. Excellent performance.
MrMoodyHyadd 4 months ago
I don't mean to hate on your vid man, but I dislike your choice of pic it could scare small children... I'd put that on my door for Halloween just to keep the lil. bastards away >_>
unrealiable 4 months ago
@unrealiable The man on the picture is Klaus Nomi .. the one singing with David Bowie in this video.
Varghalur 2 months ago
It's a minor point, but it was both Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias on backing vocals. Thanks for the upload, not heard this in ages!
danno700 5 months ago
If it may console you; THANKS FRO SHARING THIS
300359alann 5 months ago
Allthough i see Bowie as the greatest artist to date, Klaus Out shines him on this performance, On the vid you can see Bowie trying to match his notes.....Bowie made this song, Klaus sent it into orbit
BowieValheru 5 months ago
I really respect Nomi.He did great work.NOT old...very cool...I think.and I have never seen like that artist.He is only one.....
mizyama 5 months ago
Nomi has the greatest fanbase I've ever encountered. Just the most appreciative and imaginative people, all coming together in admiration for a brilliant visionary. Happy days! x
Messylin 5 months ago 2
THERE IS NO VIDEO CLIP OF THIS?.. THERE IS FOR THE ENCORE = BOYS KEEP SWINGING... CAN SOMEONE HELP!?
leonakita 6 months ago
@leonakita The only reason Boys Keep Swinging is on YT is cos it's completely out of sync. And KingOfUm is right, the sound quality is much better here than on the video.
Anyway, if you want to see it, go to Google in the ''videos'' section & type ''Bowie Nomi''.
daypeshmodd 5 months ago
@leonakita I was going to post over here what I sent you, but YT didn't allow me to do it. I wanted everyone to see the link, cos I'm not sure it appears on everyone's computer when they go to Google videos and search ''Bowie Nomi''. It's also from SNL and it's TVC 15 + Boys Keep Swinging (but in sync this time!). If you don't see it appearing, put your computer in French. It's on a French site & you have to register & just like for the vid of TMWSTW, you can email it all to yourself.
daypeshmodd 5 months ago
Nomi's haunting voice kicks this song up a notch. Nomi's costume and it's creation is well-documented. This is no detraction to Bowie: many geniuses are known ass-holes.
SuspiciouslyDLicious 6 months ago
Whoops, I mean @federico1936 for the last one. Autocorrect changed it to Frederico!!
RevAndroid 6 months ago
@frederico1936 not even Bowie was first. If you watch the documentary about Klaus, The Nomi Song, it says that Bowie was inspired by somebody else's costume (I foret his name, sorry!)
RevAndroid 6 months ago
@RevAndroid Hi, I've been trying to see The Nomi Song and I can't.
There's a site called The Nomi Song, but they don't show the documentary, only talk about it. Then, I did as someone suggested in a Nomi page and went to Snagfilms and searched for it, that didn't work either. I even d/loaded the free version of Snagfilms, only to realize it's not free at all.
If you could help perhaps help me, it would be really appreciated.
daypeshmodd 5 months ago
Klaus' voice compliments Bowie's very well. Too bad Mr. Nomi passed away. He'd be a cool addition to Bowie's tours.
Devgru77 7 months ago
The first time I heard 2:19-2:45 I was totally blown away. It is seriously something of beauty.
MorbidBliss22 7 months ago
@conkpit: the video is available elsewhere, and while it is not much of a revelation, it bears details the ear alone cannot detect. The pleasure of visual impressions is much older than MTV, or even Gaga.
I think, best audio part is from 2:19, when Nomi starts shining and Bowies voice adapts to his. That's as great as it is short. The ending is of course stolen from Karn Evil 9 (for the defence of the woman who is for unknown reasons not attacked here yet, though Nomi is mentioned ;)
fetteshice 8 months ago
My fav Bowie tune....well one of them.
dlevine66 8 months ago
I used to have the video to this song a few years back. But my computer crashed and I lost it! At least I can hear the audio now..I love this version!!!
brbgal 9 months ago
What a wonderful find! I saw pics from the performance in 1980 and saw the whole wearing his" chaiman Mao stewerdess outfit" along with Klaus Nomi backing and I felt so disappointed that I had / have never seen it BUT this has made me smile - many many thanks - suppose I'll just have to keep searching!
TheLionheart1012 9 months ago
I can dig it.
ZstarOdustE 9 months ago
They go so perfect together. This is my favourite version of the song. I miss the video, but I've been longing to at least hear this again for the longest time.
TheHighMage 9 months ago
magnifico Klaus Nomi, aunque no salga en youtuve, esta video lo tengo y es magnifico..... descanses en paz.....
skygranada 10 months ago
Who own the rights to the video, such a shame, I love it
faunchile 10 months ago
maravilhoso
filosofiadoestilo 10 months ago
7 people who disliked this video have terrible taste. Thanks for uploading this, it's fantastic.
blowgunguy 10 months ago
KLAUS? BOWIE? SOLO LES FALTÓ DIOS!
robockolelo 11 months ago
Great post! Excellent sound quality.
lightlyone 11 months ago
I never heard this. Absolutely love it! Thanks for posting it
acapaloff 11 months ago
Thanks for posting this. The audio alone makes me happy!
wileydredd 11 months ago
I saw this video the night is originally aired on SNL. Don't forget that apart from Bowie and Nomi that Joey Arias was the man in red singing background beside them. A lot of people forget that. Will never forget Bowie's "box" costume they had to lift him to/from stage - also cool was the pink poodle doll with the TV inside.
cabeef 11 months ago
Thank you for sharing this, with or without video. I was 11 or 12 when it aired and it had such an impact on me that I can still hear and see Klaus Nomi singing "Not you!" in my mind and I'm 43 now. It took me a while to remember it. Whenever I'd hear Nirvana's version I'd try to figure out where I'd heard it before. One day it all came back to me clear as a bell, everything: David Bowie, Saturdaynight Live, Klaus Nomi. Not Bowie's costume though. good pic of that on Nomi's page on Wikipedia.
MeredithMacArthur 1 year ago
This is a real treat. It would be cool if they tossed this in, along with the other two songs Bowie and Klaus did on SNL, along with I Pray Ole and the alternate Look Back in Anger for a Lodger re-issue.
I only JUST discovered Klaus Nomi, promptly grabbed Za Bakdaz from itunes and am now hunting for his first album, so I'm still an overreactive new fan.
Thanks for the upload!
pictthedentist 1 year ago
Amazing quality! I love Klaus Nomi. Thanks for uploading.
audrinaINchains 1 year ago
@audrinaINchains And thank you for appreciating it. As for the quality, I personally tried to fix it up and I think it sounds considerably better than the original video clip.
KingOfUm 1 year ago
I was hoping to see this groundbreaking performance. It was mentioned in the bio book called "Bowie" by Marc Spitz, and shocked his band with his get up that night. Sorry it's not here :(
maryfran2008 1 year ago
Comment removed
Preliminimal 1 year ago
@Preliminimal Read the damn uploader comment in which I explain all the valid reasons for why no video footage, I'm so sick of people bitching about this, it's embarrassing.
KingOfUm 1 year ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
much appreciated, thank you .
monkeybobbin 1 year ago
wonderful,always loved this song I don't care about no vid and the sound quality makes up for it .......peace
adar5708 1 year ago
FOR THE RECORD: I'm sick of messages and comments whining about this being audio only, here's why no video of the performance:
1 Just about every time someone uploads the video of the performance it gets deleted from yt; my upload however has remained for a good standing time because it is audio only.
2 I don't have the video, just the audio, I did not intentionally upload ONLY audio, so stop insulting me.
3 The sound quality of my copy succeeds that of the video passed around the internet.
KingOfUm 1 year ago 57
@KingOfUm i appreciate the sound being awesome, cuz many vids are poor sound or out of sync which doesnt do it for me, i love bowie and nomis backing is great for the song
Dravenswraith 10 months ago
@Dravenswraith Thank you for the compliment, I appreciate it. And I'm glad you enjoy it!
KingOfUm 10 months ago
@KingOfUm I guess there's a copyright thing or something. Thanks for posting. All these years I never knew it was a David Bowie song Nirvana was covering. Thanks again.
SgtBaker16 9 months ago
@KingOfUm Why is it audio only? If you have the video why dont you just post it you jerk? ps. WOW! The quality really sucks!
punchamole 8 months ago
@punchamole I can't tell if you're being funny or a prick.
KingOfUm 8 months ago
@KingOfUm trying to be a funny prick.
punchamole 8 months ago
@KingOfUm Don't sweat it, man. Music is meant to be heard...not seen. Visual media such as MTV and VH1 has for many years spoiled our appreciaton for the true art of composed and ordered sound.
conkpit 8 months ago 3
@conkpit No one could have said it any better, thank you.
KingOfUm 8 months ago
@KingOfUm audio is fine, thanks for sharing...and nevermind the haters. haters gonna hate. ;)
KyleNarayan 4 months ago
the video that goes with this is too fantastic to not be on here.............somebody do something. The outfits that Klaus and Joey and David Bowie wore were awesome. The DVD of Klaus's life --- NOMI SONG ---- has the footage and I highly suggest anyone who loves Klaus should own a copy.............it is priceless!
diamondsister1 1 year ago
@MittinsMctwist Nobody can cover a David Bowie song and make it better. Come on now.
cimetiere 1 year ago
When SNL still had the balls to have interesting live music acts.
kglamsch 1 year ago 4
I saw this when I was kid when it first aired on SNL. I remembered it for years. Then, when I finally got into Klaus Nomi, it all came roaring back to me. On of the best performances ever on SNL enhanced by Nomi and Joey Arias. I would kill to have this on cd. RIP Nomi. You are missed dearly and shall never be replaced.
nickknox75 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Where is the freakin' VIDEO of this - Audio only is SUCH a waste!
thewebgal 1 year ago
That's all I have, sorry it isn't good enough for you.
KingOfUm 1 year ago 22
@KingOfUm sorry man, didnt intend to lay blame, just wondering if there was a video and wtf not... strange because there is video of this SNL encore performance of 'boys keep swinging'. Don't take it personal, and thanx for the audio!
leonakita 5 months ago
@KingOfUm Can't say better than that eh. Bloody shame though. Thanks so much for posting this.
TheSpikefm 5 months ago
@thewebgal
It did get shown on here years ago - on and off (I saw it) - but SNL now keep a hawk eye on YouTube and get everything they own gets taken down almost as soon as someone tries to put it up.
krakenwave 1 year ago
@thewebgal why waste you're time? it says in the title ''Audio only''.
rairos22 1 year ago
Did people actually think nirvana created song, they must be stupid, nirvana just made the song better
MittinsMctwist 1 year ago
Honestly I really wouldn't call Cobain's mono-drone voice and lackluster guitar work 'better'.
KingOfUm 1 year ago 7
@KingOfUm Thats an understatement. Nirvana sucked ass. No talent fucks.
genesisharmonicas 1 year ago
@genesisharmonicas Thumbs up for you; did you hear what they did to DEVO's 'Turn Around'? Absolutely terrible.
KingOfUm 1 year ago
@KingOfUm Oh no, Im afraid to look it up.
genesisharmonicas 1 year ago
@genesisharmonicas Serious...
EvilPrince69 1 year ago
@MittinsMctwist Ummm. bullshit.
Horns9 1 year ago
@Horns9 Amen to that; the Nirvana version is awful, uninspired guitar over Cobain's bland, garage-band quality vocals, what's to enjoy, really?
KingOfUm 1 year ago
@EbolaReston12 I knew beforehand the man who sold the world is Bowie's no need to say that, even so, nirvana played it best. No matter what you say, it is even considered one of the greatest covers of all time.
Obliverated 1 year ago
I like nirvana buy I am not a big fan, but I feel dumb that I recently found out that this song is from Bowie instead Nirvana's
gixman2 1 year ago
It's a shame that the video of this performance has seem to have been removed.
GalaxyGirl11 1 year ago
i love they 2 and togheter is magnific
pink75panther 1 year ago
i like with the chorus...nice!!!
gomapapel 1 year ago
I wished the video was somewhere around!
andersonkoala 1 year ago
Nirvana covered this song so well, it sounds way better
Obliverated 1 year ago
@Obliverated you my sir dont understand classics, so what kurt is dead i say nirvana sucks when i was in middle school in 2003 people were hooked on nirvana, then i found out about bowie and was able to tell people that the man who sold the world is one of bowie's songs and they covered it, wasw great to see them die a bit inside
EbolaReston12 1 year ago
this is an incredible version.bowie s voice and klau s voice are amazing together.this is better than nirvana.well,as u know,bowie composed this not kurt cobain.nirvana s version is kind of boring,not so good
ducessaristocat 1 year ago
realy!!!
nirvana its cover?
=O
dirkxx5 1 year ago
@dirkxx5 Yes nirvana cover this song...this song is by david bowie...you should to listen his music... ;)
gomapapel 1 year ago
Never heard this version before. It's great. But I prefer Bowie/Lulu. I have never heard of Klaus Nomi? Bowie has written some incredible songs!
cricketbat08 1 year ago
Better than the Nirvana version. I can't believe it. Wow.
Madoculos 1 year ago 7
Yeah, I heard Nirvana's version, and I've heard Nirvans fans say to me: 'Duh, Bowie's gay, Cobain wrote this song'.
That's all I have to say about Nirvana, and their fanbase.
KingOfUm 1 year ago 10
@KingOfUm Rofl, they probably were not Nirvana fans... Anyone who love Nirvana know that in the Unplugged version Kurt gave due credit to David Bowie once the finished. He says it immediately after and paid homage in his own way, which was really good... In my opinion.
scarethefish 1 year ago
I'm not a fan of their music myself, though I do respect their work. I don't know, I must be biased against them somehow, maybe it was because of having to spend my elementary and high school years listening to everyone's obsessions with them.
KingOfUm 1 year ago
@KingOfUm I understand your sentiments. I think it's only because Nirvana has so many fans -- anyone with half a brain knows this is Bowie's song. Nirvana did a decent job -- a great job in hindsight of what would happen -- but this is Bowie's song.
illuminez 1 year ago
2 great voices- love it!
VidGirl88 1 year ago
genius, pure art...and Bowie aint bad either :-)
almamatters2471 1 year ago
Thank you for uploading this! This CAN'T be taken off, Ever or else the world would be sad. D8>
dunespeak 1 year ago
Great drumming -- by a guy who was dressed in normally.
illuminez 1 year ago
David Bowie and Klaus Nomi introduced by Martin Sheen.
I'm surprised the room didn't explode from having so much awesome contained in it.
TwoCows23 1 year ago 3
fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!1
TheSpikefm 1 year ago
Once again, everytime the video version is shown it only lasts for about a month before it get's removed......................anybody know WHY that is?
Because the video RULES!!
NS9144 1 year ago
@NS9144 and NBC sucks a huge dick.
suyash977 1 year ago
Watched this on TV, best version I've ever heard.
Thanks for posting it!
COGENTCOG 1 year ago
I think not only does Bowie have a very DISTINCTIVE voice but he was a INSPIRED GENIUS in how he vocalized.
I just saw a documentary about Klaus Nomi. Too bad David Bowie could not have helped Klaus more. According to the documentary Klaus never performed with Bowie anywhere again.
ViennaForever 1 year ago
I just was thinking about this for some reason and went on a search. I remember watching SNL this night and was really impressed with the Bowie performance. This version of the song is really great. There was also Boys Keep Swinging with the puppet bodies and a performance of TVC15. This is just bringing back memories of all kinds of great musical performances from SNL, The Midnight Special, Don Kirshners, etc. - Many lost forever I guess..
numyer 1 year ago
if you watch the documentary about klaus naomi, its clear bowie patterned his SNL suit after naomi.
joey11a 1 year ago
Was that Adrian Belew on guitar or some other big electric cat?
geeman56 1 year ago
You say Bowie's wardrobe inspired Nomi, but it looks to me like Riff and Magenta's space costumes from Rocky Horror, which came out 3 or 4 years before.
frankensplean 1 year ago
OK, according to the wikipedia info, I should be saying that it looks like Rocky Horror inspired BOWIE who then inspired Nomi.
frankensplean 1 year ago
Incredible performances by all. I wish SNL would stop pulling the video. Seeing this live as a kid utterly blew me away.
kuhnigget 1 year ago
Is there any chance that the original clip from SNL can get posted again, legally? Is NBC the one holding it up?
In the mean time I guess this will do, thanks KingOfUm. This, and the memory of watching it more than 30 years ago - the visually striking performance is still seared in my noggin.
carlsetzer 1 year ago
great version !! my fave one !!!!!
funktofunky1 1 year ago
Probably my favorite live version of this song. Bowie and Nomi's vocals prove that opposites do attract, or in this case, work together perfectly. Thanks for the info about Bowie/Nomi's outfit, btw. :)
PockyBebop 1 year ago
It wasn't that Bowie had such a great voice, it is what he did with his voice! Thats his genious, his intelligence. You can be pretty, you can have a great voice, but you are still dull, and banal because you dont have "vision". or a point of view. This is what is missing today. Cardboard people... This is what people like Bowie, Nomi
jeancocteau1 1 year ago 53
You said it perfectly.
KingOfUm 1 year ago
@jeancocteau1 just my humble opinion but i think bowie is one of the great voices in pop music. he had great pitch, awesome range, and the ability to make his voice sound like different singers in the multiple overdubs he would do in his recordings. i'd be curious who you would think had a "great" voice if bowie didn't. i'm sorry... i don't think this comment was said perfectly at all. bowie had a certain operatic, over stated quality that put him on his own pedestool.
dhowellbassist 1 year ago
@jeancocteau1 his voice ig good just some ppl dont like it
EbolaReston12 1 year ago
@jeancocteau1 David Bowie had a great voice.
MiaoPurrington 8 months ago
@MiaoPurrington HAS.
llorensl 6 months ago
absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!
TheLionheart1012 1 year ago 2
this version its magnific! i likeddd so much!! =)
klifog 1 year ago
ahMAZEing!!!!! <3 <3 <3 it!!!
nerdlover76 1 year ago
Klaus Nomi is a # 1 !!!
pinstripe01 1 year ago 3
supertight
bowie backed up by nomi
monumental
Sir5rMedia 1 year ago
So ethereal sounding with such great b/g vocals.
Lengsel7 2 years ago 2
This was the episode he also did TVC15 on. I still wish I could find the SNL vid of that performance. That chorus to TVC15 still gets me. DB certainly has his own sound and edge.
claymohr 2 years ago
@claymohr. You can get that on DVD or if you have NETFLIX you can watch it on demand right now! I did. :) I was in highschool and remembered that like it was yesterday. That crazy dog with the TV monitor in his mouth. (Fall 79)
mrprytania 1 year ago
Just type in David Bowie Klaus Nomi Man Who Sold World on the google search engine and there are some links with the video. I watched it a few days ago.
trexmegatron1 1 year ago
witch year?
avaiboot 2 years ago
The raddest version of The Man Who Sold The World, IMO.
TruKriegsaffeNo9 2 years ago 3
This is actually real cool! Thanks for uploading this.
audrinaINchains 2 years ago
awesome
gerwin0 2 years ago
I sure remember the night I watched this on snl. Was so weird. Especially in light of the fact I was destroyed on acid. Great memories.
harpo10 2 years ago 2
someone needs to post the actual video for this performance
deadelvis333 2 years ago
It wouldn't be difficult, but NBC would take it down faster than you can say "Bowie".
GageKDiabo 2 years ago 3
Very true; since I've uploaded this music I have seen three separate users' video of it removed.
KingOfUm 2 years ago 2
this was an amazing performance in terms of the "theatrical" Bowie... and back in the day when SNL was something to stay home to watch... artists took chances on SNL then... now the biggest risk they take is whether they'll get caught lip-synching!
alcbm 2 years ago 15
Ha ha, good point. But don't forget all the many technical problems SNL have had over the years.
KingOfUm 2 years ago
Too cool to be real.
The best SNL ever had.
19HALLOWEENJACK84 2 years ago 4
yeah, this freaked me out as a kid.
lowlypeasant 2 years ago 2
Man, I had this taped on VHS off of TV, along with TVC15. Watched them both a bazillion times. I'm sure that tape is long-gone.
I remember watching SNL when it first aired. I found the whole thing quite astonishing at the time.
With Nomi and Bowie on this together, its exceptionally haunting.
And I always assumed Nomi was the influence on Bowie, not the other way around.
Perhaps it went both ways.
Lengsel7 2 years ago 2
I thought Bowie was inspired by Klaus nomis costume.. and that's why he wore it that night.
Xtothemins1 2 years ago
Poor Klaus Nomi. May he rest in peace.
skorli 2 years ago 44
@skorli hahaha you don't "nomi" lol i frikin love klaus he's beast.
PretzelNeaves123 1 year ago
@skorli Klaus Nomi en esta cancion lo hacia mejor que David Bowie, por eso nunca mas lo llamó, ni a su amigo Joey Arias. Klaus Nomi genio y figura hasta en la sepultura. R.I.P.
skygranada 1 year ago
what's the image here of the white/black dude? i'm just asking cuz he appeared in an episode of Venture Bros. along with Bowie and Iggy Pop
retroEddz 2 years ago 3
That would be Klaus Nomi.
KingOfUm 2 years ago
remeber when bowie was on snl / this is best version of this song............... thanks
djhausser 2 years ago 2
good news this performance is going to stores on the new snl series video
ladybug33100 2 years ago
omg
type david bowie snl klaus nomi
into google and the video comes up
i think i'm starting to fancy klaus nomi :S
hrryzdlr 2 years ago 2
Great triip to the another places!
Ropuchopuch 2 years ago
the best performance of this song ever- with the quirky SNL band, and Nomi & company's inspired operatic back up singing- which is more like a call and response duet culminating in a haunting finale. not to mention the over the top costumes and staging. This is as theatrical as it gets and truly other worldly. Lulu and Nirvana's covers were inspiring but this is my fav version.
starvinartguy 2 years ago 9
Plus one on that.
coffeebitches 2 years ago
this is the Bowie performance that changed my whole life forever...i have to see the visual..where cani get it...but the audio will do for now..the best version of the song e