Last week, David Bowie would have been 74 years old. Also, last week marked 5 years since his death.
To celebrate his birthday, Bowie (or who is in charge of his posthumous career) release a new single. A "double A-Side" that has the cover of Bob Dylan's "Tryin' To Get To Heaven" and John Lennon's "Mother".
Bowie was a huge fan of both of the artists and, on the late 90's recorded versions of these 2 songs. Of course that, for each on its songwriter, both of the songs mean a lot and are very important songs.
Bowie gives a new vibe, a very "Bowish" sense (specially on the Dylan song) and, we can see work there, they aren't merely fun sessions covers, they are David's own interpretation of the songs.
What makes us happy is that we have new music by Bowie, although that isn't only the important thing. After his death, whenever he is, we feel that David still manages his releases. Obviously this single isn't a new way of making money (it could have been launched way back). It is Bowie's vision of his career, of his legacy after his death. The same way he released "Lazarus" or "No Plan" or all of the boxsets, I believe that he also planned this. He wanted these songs to be released on 5 year after his death.
We feel that same artists are explored after they pass away (Jeff Buckley, Nirvana, Joy Division, etc.). We don't feel this way about Bowie. This was planned, like he was alive. This is new music. This is still relevant. And this is what makes David Bowie the greatest artist of all time, dead or alive.
Listening to music while going to work or to school is something vital, but, as you agree, there are some songs that lift your spirit up more than others, so, let's say happy songs for the morning, to help you to face the terrible day that is coming.
There are a lot of great examples, famous happy pop songs, but I picked 10 non-famous songs to be a different selection.
And, what I mean for "not-famous songs", are songs that are not hit singles or worldwide success.
So, take a quick listen to these songs that lift me up in the morning:
1 - Suede - Sound Of The Streets
Well, I am a fanatic, so I had to start with Suede. So, for a sunny morning, when you are walking in the streets of your own city, nothing better than incorporate Sadie, a girl that knows the sound of the streets of London. Amazing b-side from the Coming Up era with one of the best Oakes' solos ever.
2 - Johnny Marr - The Crack Up
Found this one recently. A song from Marr's debut solo album, The Messenger. Something typical for the ex-Smiths musician, fast guitar riffs, and a "bad-ass" way of singing the chorus, something like if you were walking with long steps without giving a shit to anybody else around you.
3- The Horrors - Primary Colors
This is the song that gives the title of their second LP, the first to be acclaimed worldwide. Fast song, with a fantastic guitar intro. When I start to listen to it I just want to move my arms all around like a monkey. Simply great!
4 - Patrick Duff - Wake Up Richard
This song was my alarm clock for a long time. So happy, simple and pure. The first lines of the song are "Wake up Richard, it's your birthday, let's go dancing, there's a place I know where the bright lights are always shinning we'll go flying over Tokyo". Isn't that amazing? Just live your life happy and be free!
5 - George Harrison - If Not For You
George's version of Bob Dylan's track is so sunny and beautiful that just brings peaceful and lovely thoughts to your mind. A classic!
6 - John Lennon - Crippled Inside
The most upbeated song from the "Imagine" album. The intro and the slide guitar really gives a joyful feeling to the entire song. Also, the piano solo is incredibly funny.
7 - The Whip - Keep Or Delete
The opening track of their second album, this is more a electronic song, and the most different from this list. What really gives me energy in this song is the way it grows and grows during the 4 minutes. As it flows, it gets more and more intense and complexed.
8 - Violent Femmes - Dance Motherfucker Dance
Well, I guess the titles says it all. Pure energy.
9 - Morrissey - America Is Not The World
Although this could be a sad song, I think that the way Morrissey sings it, almost without interruptions, and the connection with the acoustic and electric guitar, really makes it a sunny song, with good vibrations. One of my favourite Moz's songs
10 - Devendra Banhart - Carmensita
Ok, this is the only song on the list that is actually a single, but I think is not a worldwide hit, as Devendra Banhart is not a very very popular artist (unfortunately). But, listening to this song, it is so funny, positive, free and sunny that it had so be here. Pure happiness! And you can even find Natalie Portman on the video
Há 30 anos o génio John Lennon foi morto a tiro por uma fã obessivo em Nova Iorque. Mark Chapman apanhou Lennon a chegar a casa pelas 11 da noite e disparou 5 tiros sobre o músico, tendo em seguida ir-se sentar no outro lado da rua a ler o livro "The Catcher In The Rye". Nesse mesmo dia, John tinha dado um autógrafo ao maníaco (facto retratado nesta imagem).
Se fosse vivo John Lennon, antigo compositor dos Beatles, teria feito há pouco tempo 70 anos. Tal foi celebrado no mundo inteiro e montes de reedições de álbuns seus irão ser lançado. Tal facto também terá contorno na Blitz. Ainda não é oficial mas o site da revista mostram um pouco pedaço de uma foto da próxima capa e ao que tudo indica a imagem que lá está do Lennon é a mesma que está aqui no site. Ora vejam e tiram as próprias conclusões aqui!
Se John Lennon, um dos músicos mais influentes de sempre, fosse vivo completaria hoje 70 anos. Muita falta faz ele cá! Vamos lembrar com alegria toda a grande música que este artista dispôs em todos os seus projectos. Parabéns!
