David Bowie’s Musical Legacy: 10 Songs for the Ages

Ten years ago, David Bowie —one of the most influential, chameleonic, and multifaceted musicians of the 20th century— left us.

His extensive career, comprising 26 studio albums, is marked by his extraordinary ability to reinvent himself and create multiple artistic identities. His discography stands as a living testament to an indelible musical legacy. These are the 10 songs that defined David Bowie’s career:

1. Starman (1972)

The anthem of his glam rock era. The song, featured on the album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars", introduces “Starman,” an alien who comes to save the planet. The story is told by a young man who encounters him while listening to the radio. It’s a hymn to hope and the longing for a better world.

2. Space Oddity (1969)

Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s film "2001: A Space Odyssey", “Space Oddity” marked Bowie’s true breakthrough. It narrates the fictional space mission of astronaut Major Tom, who communicates with Earth from his spacecraft. His sense of loss and detachment serves as a metaphor for social isolation.

3. Heroes (1977)

The song draws inspiration from a couple in love separated by the Berlin Wall. Their love becomes an act of resistance, allowing them to be “heroes” and savor the moment—even if only for one day. A true anthem to freedom.

4. Life on Mars? (1971)

A young woman seeks refuge in cinema to escape the monotony of her life, questioning whether there is something beyond the world she knows—a horizon she imagines symbolized by Mars. The melody is inspired by Frank Sinatra’s "My Way".

5. Under Pressure (1981)

One of the most legendary collaborations in recent music history. David Bowie and Queen join forces in one of rock’s most iconic anthems. The song speaks of the pressures that can push people to the limit. It appears on Queen’s album "Hot Space".

6. Rebel Rebel (1974)

Bowie places glam culture at the heart of this track. The artist celebrates authenticity and exalts the courage to be different. The song portrays a person who breaks away from established norms and belongs to Bowie’s most androgynous era.

7. Let’s Dance (1983)

Dance takes center stage in this track, which blends pop, funk, and rock and belongs to his most commercial period. Dance is used as a metaphor to conceal emotions such as sadness or disappointment. It’s one of Bowie’s best-selling singles.

8. Changes (1971)

A hymn to reinvention that Bowie himself embodied. It’s an anthem about nonconformity and the need for artistic transformation—an ode to evolution and personal growth.

9. Ashes to Ashes (1980)

Bowie revisits Major Tom from "Space Oddity", placing him in a state of decline caused by drug addiction. It’s one of Bowie’s most autobiographical songs, serving as a metaphor for his own struggle with addiction.

10. Fame (1975)

A sarcastic critique of fame, highlighting the tension between success and authenticity. The lyrics explore the dark side of popularity and the potential loss of identity for the artist.

If you’re a David Bowie fan, you can’t miss the tribute that numerous Valencian musicians will pay him on April 30 at the Roig Arena Auditorium. Get your tickets before they sell out!