One girl’s Bowie.
In 1983 I thought David Bowie was Elton John. Modern Love had just hit the airwaves with its pop-happy sound. I glommed onto its vibe as something dancy and fun and cluelessly mistook his voice for the Rocket Man’s. At 15, I wasn’t familiar enough with Bowie’s work to make the distinction. I do know that I couldn’t remember hearing Bowie singing happily. It wasn’t until two years later, when the lyrics of Changes appeared at the end of The Breakfast Club that I thought to learn more about him. And in ’85 you couldn’t just do a YouTube search and mainline every video he’d made, like I’ve done today. By the time Absolute Beginners, with all its kitsch, schmarm and ridiculousness, was released in 1986 – he had cemented himself into my still-evolving psyche – a British rock idol, chewing the scenery with a delicious American accent – my teenaged heart fluttered wildly.
Last week I saw a meme. A grown up Jennifer Connelly standing with the Goblin King behind her, his hand resting upon her slim neck. Return of the Goblin King – visual wishful thinking for the Generation Xers. I did a quick search, hoping against hope that it wasn’t a hoax, only to find myself disappointed.
Bowie’s extensive personae provided enough visual stimuli to give people a smorgasbord of fashion and musical style.
From decade to decade, sometimes from year to year – he redefined his sound and his look: glam rock, plastic soul, rock & roll, industrial, experimental. I didn’t realize he had actual pipes until he did a cover of Nature Boy for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack – I had to look that up too. Who was this man with power and vibrato killing the tune? The Bowie I knew spat words out – rapid fire – held no notes, spoke/sung his way through songs.
I don’t know another actor/singer who has imprinted so completely upon me. I can as easily picture him as Ziggy Stardust singing The Jean Jeanie,
as I can visualize him ‘dancing’ with La La La Human Steps,
or morphing into Tesla in The Prestige.
I shall miss the Thin White Duke terribly. I was waiting for my teenage daughter to appreciate him on her own – that process will now be jump-started. A crash course in Bowie – she can pick and choose which persona to love most – if I know my kid, 80s Bowie will be her in, but 70s Bowie is going to steal her soul.