In December 1971, David Bowie released his pivotal fourth album, Hunky Dory. It was the icon’s first album to feature all the members of the band - consisting of guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder, and drummer Woodmansey - that would become known as Ziggy Stardust’s Spiders From Mars one year later.
Compared to the guitar-driven rock songs of his previous album, 1970’s The Man Who Sold the World, Bowie opted for a more piano-driven art-pop sound on Hunky Dory, highlighted perfectly on the album’s two singles Changes and Life on Mars, both of which are considered among Bowie’s signature songs.
When it was first released, Hunky Dory received little promotion and failed to even rank on the charts. However, following the mass commercial breakthrough of his follow-up album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in 1972, Hunky Dory also went flying up the charts, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart in 1973.
Retrospectively, Hunky Dory is critically acclaimed as one of Bowie's best works. It was the album where he discovered his unique voice and style that would go on to define the rest of his career. Speaking of defining the rest of his career, we’re remembering this classic live cut of the single that stands as Bowie’s life manifesto, Changes from 1973. Enjoy!
David Bowie | ‘Changes’ [Live, 1973]
Divine Symmetry is a four-CD, one blu-ray box set that celebrates the twelve months running up to the release of Hunky Dory in December 1971 with home demos, BBC radio sessions, and live and studio recordings. The collection uncovers 48 previously unreleased tracks/demos from the period and features two books, a 100-page hardback book featuring exclusive memorabilia and photos alongside a 60-page replica composite of Bowie’s notebooks from the era featuring handwritten lyrics, costume drawings, recording notes, and set lists. Pre-order, here.
GET DAVID BOWIE ALBUMS & MERCH, HERE.
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