I agree that the vocal performance on Diamond Dogs is outstanding-one of my favourites-but songs go through transformations in the studio and this is quite interesting in that context.
I recently rediscovered this song, its often overlooked. Absolutely Beautiful . what a genius David Bowie was... many Thanks for uploading this'! I'm in tears again 😢.
Great to hear him in the studio working on one of the first albums of his I ever fell in love with! These stripped down takes remind me of the Beatles a bit.
Garson eventually simplified the intro into a catchier riff. Bowie went low on opening lines to great effect. Also changed the words. Herbie Flowers fills in the bottom with killer bass; David adds some guitar to give it a rock edge. Backing vocals and organ end up giving it a big sound on the album.
This song was written in response to a live-gig audience who had given David a hard time. He was upset and annoyed. This was like an appeal or order for them to get together with him and stay together.
Sloppy to tight in 15 minutes. The speed with which both Bowie and Mike Garson sift through ideas and unfailingly pick out the best melodic options and inflection points is really impressive. Then to top it all off, Tony Newman''s drums just slot right on in there. I assume that 'Herb' is bassist Herbie Flowers who had also served as one of Bowie's chief song arrangement collaborators throughout both the Lou Reed 'Transformer' sessions as well as these 'Diamond Dogs' ones. Bowie ended up firing him during the 'Diamond Dogs' tour after he demanded better payment for the band, and threatened to strike over it hours before the gigs that were to be recorded with the intent of being released as 'David Live.' The band got their pay rise, but Flowers got fired for being their advocate. I've never been all that fond of this song, but damn these session tapes highlight the talent Bowie had to get the best out of his musical collaborators.
