So, I know David Bowie isn't everybody's cup of tea, and to be honest, up until recently he wasn't mine either. It's not that I ever didn't like him, I just thought he was a bit too strange for me. But here's the important thing: I always found him interesting and intriguing. He has a unique, dramatic style that just took a while to grow on me. And those eyes...
My path to Bowie love I think has some lessons for us writers. I had some limited exposure to Bowie as a kid through the movie Labyrinth, a cult classic if their ever was one. Even as a kid, the movie and Bowie himself were interesting and oddly appealing, but just not my groove. I got older, watched the movie a few more times and even listened to a few of his other songs. Still, interesting, but not something I wanted to put lots of time and energy into. Then recently, I was babysitting my little sister and she picked Labyrinth for our movie. It was then it all kind of culminated, and I realized the awesomeness, newness, talent and deep albeit strange attractiveness that was David Bowie. He is still not my typical thing, still not an easy jive for me, and I still have some getting used to as far as his music goes. The thing thats different, though, is that I want to get used to it. Even though it has taken time, Bowie has successfully drawn me in to being an official fan, and being willing to put in time, effort, even money to being a fan. He did this through being new, unique, and himself so that I was interested and attracted from the beginning, even if it took time to make me a full on groupie. And now, when I had one songs worth left on an old iTunes gift card, what did I pick? David Bowie.
So enjoy something unique and untypical today and see what it brings out in you. Happy writing!
Sarah Allen
My fave Bowie track is Changes.
ReplyDeleteregards,
mood
Moody Writing
I love that movie!
ReplyDeleteScrolling through my dashboard, I saw your title and had to stop. I really, really like David Bowie. I too consider him a lot different from most folk, but there's something compelling about him. Love his voice. Nobody sings quite like him. :D Love his music! My faves are Let's Dance and Tonight with Tina Turner.
ReplyDeleteI watched this movie everyday as a kid. I can recite every word. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting.
My friend was obsessed with Labyrinth/Bowie during school but even though I loved him as Jared (the hair, the tights, the twisted devotion!) I didn't bother with his music. Despite loving the Labyrinth soundtrack it was only when I downloaded Golden Years after hearing it on A Knight's Tale that I really got into his music.
ReplyDelete- Sophia.
David Bowie rocks my world! I love him..great post! You must hear 'Nature Boy' by David Bowie and Massive Attack..also, 'I'm Afraid of Americans' both are awesome songs..and Changes is classic...peace! :)
ReplyDeleteI like Bowie and I think he's a swell person to feature in the fest!
ReplyDeleteJan Morrison
Ooh, I like all these suggestions. I will definitely be checking them out...
ReplyDeleteSarah
I have heard his name like most people but I don't think I have ever heard one of his songs. I am hard core country or country gospel. We certainly fits the B Blog!
ReplyDeleteGregg Metcalf
Colossians 1:28-29
Gospel-driven Disciples
I love/tolerate/admire/shake my head at Bowie. He just makes me so confused! But he certainly is a very very talented musician and singer. Love his music!
ReplyDeleteYou picked a terrific B day topic! Yes, the eyes have it.
ReplyDeleteI liked your closing line about doing something unique and untypical today. Hmm, I'll have to give it some thought.
http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com
He's unique, that's for sure...stands out in a sea of musicians, so there's that to learn from him.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about those eyes, isn't there? I love him in Labyrinth. He looks like he could be straight out of an Irish fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteI lean more toward Sting in Dune than Bowie in Labyrinth, though I think they're both intriguing characters.
ReplyDeleteHey, Sarah! My #4 daughter was Sara Allen (no H) before she married, and she loves TMBG and Bowie, too! Thanks for the lovely pictures of him :)
ReplyDeleteMy Sara and I watched Labyrinth multiple times while she was growing up. That Escher scene at the end....
Glad to find you!
Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes
Cha,cha,changes! How could anyone not instantly fall madly savagely in love with Bowie?
ReplyDeleteWell at least you are now.
Glad to find your blog.
This is great guys! I love all these comments.
ReplyDelete@Cruella, I think you said it right :) Mixed admiration here...but still deep admiration!
@Sarah: Your right! That's totally what it is...Irish fairytale, interesting :)
@Jennifer: Hmmm, haven't heard of that one. I'll have to check it out.
@Marian: Cool! Its a good name :) Oh gosh, that end scene indeed..."Fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave." Wow...
@Redhead: I'm off to listen to that song right now :) I have indeed been converted, though it was a slow process. Thanks for the kind words!
I've been a fan of it for years... LET'S DANCE is one of my all time favs.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the 70s and 80s and I loved David Bowie, probably because he was so weird. Ch-ch-ch-changes was an anthem in high school.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in A to Z.
Sincerely,
Lucy
Oh my gosh, I love David Bowie. Great choice!
ReplyDeleteI love that movie...but then, I'm into fantasy.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
Awesome! I love Bowie! ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, I ADORE Bowie! Of course my first exposure was MTV and songs like China Girl which are a little more mainstream, but he has an intensity I've always found appealing (and strangeness has actually always appealed to me). I had a college crush I am half convinced I fell for because he had Bowie's mouth... a bit crooked and able to mix naughty and vulnerable in the same smile.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that's really funny. I never liked him before, but recently I've actually found that I appreciate the music. I have to wonder if it's the "Character" that turned me off when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit taken aback when he first came on the scene, but once I started hearing his music I became a fan. He's done some great stuff.
ReplyDeleteContrary to my usual practice of subscribing to comments, to save time during challenge I will not be doing so during April. If you want to respond to my comment , please email me directly from your email notification for the comment.
Thanks.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge
You should so see my daughter's face when I start singing Bowie songs in the car. It's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteJust stopped by from the A-Z Challenge!!
gigglelaughcry.blogspot.com
think I'm getting tired, misread Bowie for Brownie! didn't correct myself until I say the picture! too funny
ReplyDeletehttp://baygirl32.blogspot.com
Sweet! That is all I got to say - Love it
ReplyDeleteI've still never seen Labyrinth. I have a couple friends planning to remedy this, but nevertheless, it means the only things I've seen him in are The Prestige and the Twin Peaks movie. Yet my favorite of "his" movies remains The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, in which the entire soundtrack are Bowie's songs sung in Portuguese.
ReplyDeleteExcellent addition to the challenge!
I don't know much about him but what you say about him, he deserves a chance.
ReplyDelete@Michael: Just listened for the first time. Great song!
ReplyDelete@Lucy: Another great Bowie song :) Cool anthem!
@Amy: Thanks :)
@N.R.: Fantasy adds magic, doesn't it?
@Talei: Amen. He's great :)
@Hart: Um, yes...you have the description of his mouth perfect. His smile almost is bad boy, but totally sincere too.
@Matt: Its the character that turned me off before, and what turns me on now. Interesting...
@Giggle: Haha, I have a hilarious image in my head :) Car singing is the best, and add in Bowie and its doubly best.
@baygirl32: haha, happens to the best of us :)
@Trevor: Amen!
@Nate: Yes, that needs to be remedied and quick. Expect something bizarre with some Jim Henson quirky humor and Bowie dramaticism. Interesting, strange mix.
Clarissa: Check him out, you might find something you like :)
To which I say: YUM. That is all. :)
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about Bowie is he just keeps getting better with age. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you picked Bowie. I agree that he's strange & I don't like all his stuff. My first encounter with him was in Labyrinth, and I also thought he was weird but compelling. He has a fascinating presence.
ReplyDeleteDavid Bowie, now there's a blast from the past. Hi, I've come visiting via the A to Z Challenge.
ReplyDeleteI love Bowie! He's very unique - which is hard to be in the pop world!
ReplyDeleteOkay. This post has made my day. Is there anyone better than David Bowie?
ReplyDeleteI found him at age 13, when I raided my brother cassette collection (yes. I am that old) and then terrified my parents with every album and even a 5ft poster of the aladin sane cover on my bedroom wall.
Sigh. Fabulous post.
One of my all time favorites-- David and the movie.
ReplyDeleteGigglesandGuns
Very cool blog! I'm a huge Bowie fan and turn it up whenever he's on the radio. Which is pretty much every day.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love that ballroom scene; my fave part of the Labyrinth movie. :) Both his eyes are blue though; someone must've colored them for that second photo. His pupils are diff sizes cuz he got in a fight when he was a boy. Really made him perfect for the Labyrinth role, and made him look unique!
ReplyDeleteCorrection--I suppose David Bowie's injured eye is slightly darker, even greenish/grayish/brownish looking sometimes. But the uninjured one is NOT green like that second photo!
ReplyDelete0ur journey seems to be the opposite - I've loved Bowie since I was a little girl and Labyrinth first came out. It's always been one of my favorite movies and that ball scene is my favorite. 'As the World Falls Down' is one of my all-time favorite songs - I still listen to it on a daily basis, in fact. The entire soundtrack is great. Then I slowly branched out and although I'm not familiar with a lot of his music, I love what I know. Great post! :-)
ReplyDelete