The Spaceman himself, David Bowie appeared live on Britains Top of the Pops in 1996, following the release of his 19th studio album Outside, for a very special performance of the album’s single “Hallo Spaceboy” with fellow U.K. icons, Pet Shop Boys. 

In its original form, the track featured heavy rock production inspired by his admiration for Nine Inch Nails in the mid-90s that saw him collaborate and tour with Trent Reznor. But the Pet Shop Boys instead gave “Hallo Spaceboy” a spacey synth-pop remix featuring Neil Tennant's futuristic, mechanical backing vocals that certainly piqued Bowie’s interest. The remix was given an exclusive single release that was championed by Bowie. 

He was so fond of their imagining of the track he invited The Pet Shop Boys to join him on stage live at the 1996 Brit Awards ceremony, and before that on U.K. TV classic, Top of the Pops. 

Unsurprisingly, Tennant would later describe the whole experience as a “career high-point.” Watch below. 

David Bowie & Pet Shop Boys | “Hallo Spaceboy” [Top of the Pops]

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