Happy 50th birthday to an album for the ages.
It’s no exaggeration to say that rock changed forever on June 16, 1972.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this landmark album, here’s our ranking of every song onZiggy Stardust.
David Bowie.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Now dripping in glam rock, Bowie swapped its twang for a twinkling guitar while keeping the choral chorus.
Thus it’s condemned to the last spot on our list, though admittedly by default.
Still, its quick tempo and rockabilly reminiscence likely induce some foot tapping.
‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars’.
“Soul Love”
“Soul Love” sees Bowie kick off his shoes and get a little jazzy.
Seriously, he’s playing that saxophone himself.
Whether it’s true or not is immaterial."
Beyond being the first single offZiggy Stardust, this celestial anthem glimmers and gleams in ways only Bowie can.
And just like that, Bowie goes from rock god to God god.
The album’s climax comes in the final 80 seconds as Bowie exclaims, “Oh no love!
Chock-full of sci-fi flair, this track directly introduces our queer alien hero with electrifying vivacity.
In other words, it’s Bowie at his best.
What begins as a subtle percussive fade-in slowly expands like a black hole to swallow us whole.
The strings swell, his voice strains, and just like that we’re immersed in cosmic chaos.
It’s a melodic ballad bearing bad news: Earth is doomed and we don’t even know it.
Bowie addresses us directly “Don’t think you knew you were in this song” stopping us cold.
But it doesn’t let up.
“Ziggy Stardust”
Sure, ranking the title track at No.
