In 1979, David Bowie took over BBC Radio 1 for two hours to play some of his favorite songs. During his moment as guest DJ, he played 28 of his all-time favorites. Some were by friends like Iggy Pop and John Lennon, and some by artists he admired. Here are just five of his favorites that were particularly interesting.
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“Love Street” — The Doors
Released in 1968, “Love Street” was a departure from the Doors’ psychedelic rock sound. Like with many of Jim Morrison’s love ballads, it was dedicated to his girlfriend Pamela Courson.
“It’s a bit gray out today but I’ve got some water and I’ve got a bunch of records. So I think if I was walking outside at the moment I would like to be walking on this street. It’s ‘Love Street’ by The Doors,” David Bowie explained. “A commanding performer [Jim Morrison], I remember seeing him once at I think it was the Roundhouse when they came to London the first time.”
“TV Eye” — The Stooges
“TV Eye” was featured on the Stooges’ 1970 album Fun House. This was an integral album for the emergence of 1970s punk rock. Iggy Pop was a close friend of David Bowie’s, and the two had settled in West Berlin three years earlier after leaving Los Angeles.
Bowie introduced the song by saying, “A buddy of mine, Iggy Pop, this is just something that I remember with affection because it’s when I was with him on tour playing piano for him, this one is called ‘TV Eye.’”
“Sweet Jane” — Velvet Underground
“Sweet Jane” was released on the 1970 album Loaded. There have been several live versions recorded and released, with minor changes made each time. The first release was missing a bridge that was later added in the 1972 release of Live at Max’s Kansas City.
“The first single that I heard when I first went to America on the first day that I got there was in New York,” said David Bowie over the radio. “I was taken over to a writer’s apartment that he had … He played me an album that had just come out and he was very excited by this track and so was I. So I expect you were when you heard it as well.”
“21st Century Schizoid Man” — King Crimson
“21st Century Schizoid Man” was released in 1969 on King Crimson’s debut album. It is a unique track that strings together disconnected phrases into a pattern, and is highly regarded as the group’s signature song.
“If you fancy yourself as a schizophrenic, I think this becomes your theme song,” said David Bowie. “I used to love this one. ’21st Century Schizoid Man’ by young Robert Fripp’s—it’s a very exciting band—King Crimson.”
“Warning Sign” — Talking Heads
“Warning Sign” came out in 1978 on Talking Heads’ album More Songs About Buildings and Food. The album was the first of the band’s commercial successes, leading them into a more danceable and rhythmic style.
“Here is a band that I admire very much. Some very, very charming people, David Byrne in particular. We are talking about the Talking Heads, of course,” David Bowie said. “Here is a track, I think from their last album More Songs About Buildings and Food. I found this very impressive, it took me back actually to the days of the early Yardbirds. But I don’t know why.”
Featured Image by Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank
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