Been a fan of Bowie for 30 years, and didn't think there was much new left anymore, but i'd somehow missed this truly incredible cover he did for a 9/11 benefit concert. Only just stumbled on it today.
Watched this live and although I was 20 and had heard of David Bowie, this was the performance that made me realize I should listen to his catalog. I was just thinking of this version the other day. It's powerful and perfect.
No matter what he did on stage, or at what age, you can’t take your eyes off him.
In a song with so many references to cigarettes (yes they allowed smoking on buses when Paul Simon wrote the song), it’s sad to hear the long term effects of Bowie’s decades of smoking. But even with his beautiful voice diminished, he could perform the hell out of a song.
You may be the only one. He opened the concert with this song and the vibe he put out couldn’t have been more fitting. Plus he gets a little credit for performing with the flu, but he would’ve done anything to make sure to be there.
Watched this live and although I was 20 and had heard of David Bowie, this was the performance that made me realize I should listen to his catalog. I was just thinking of this version the other day. It's powerful and perfect.
I remember this. He treated the song with so much tenderness. Everyone was very emotional during this time.
No matter what he did on stage, or at what age, you can’t take your eyes off him.
In a song with so many references to cigarettes (yes they allowed smoking on buses when Paul Simon wrote the song), it’s sad to hear the long term effects of Bowie’s decades of smoking. But even with his beautiful voice diminished, he could perform the hell out of a song.
My head must have been under a rock to have never heard this before. Wonderful!
He did a fantastic version of Heroes as well, unfortunately no longer on youtube.
Here you go! https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3lucyc
Oh wow, I never knew he covered this.
A subversive choice of song about a lost innocence. He knew what would come next as US Americans are unfortunately very predictable.
Guess he was afraid of Americans.
Only forgivable within the context of 9/11. I get what he was going for, but I think it is a truly dreadful cover.
You may be the only one. He opened the concert with this song and the vibe he put out couldn’t have been more fitting. Plus he gets a little credit for performing with the flu, but he would’ve done anything to make sure to be there.