The Man Who Sold the World: David Bowie & Nirvana REACTION/ANALYSIS | The Daily Doug (Episode 335) 

I heard in an interview that David was so sorry not to had a chance to talk to Kurt and ask him why he chose exactly this song. He sounded so saddened that he couldn´t do that.

At some point, you've got to do "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", from the same show. It's a cover of the old Lead Belly song "In The Pines". Doing both would be a great comparison.

Both versions give me goosebumps even after hearing them a hundred times before. David Bowie was a genius.

There is so much Bowie out there, please delve into it, please. I miss his musical genius so much.

The Man Who Sold The World is a very overlooked album,and i feel a very important one in Davids career

For Nirvana, suggest you listen to “Where did you sleep last night.” from that same live album. It’s an old blues cover which he delivers in such a hauntingly beautiful way. I would say it also foreshadows his death knowing what we all know now.

Doug, I'd be interested in your take on the chord structure of David's song LIFE ON MARS? Rick Wakeman, who played piano on the song, commented that David's way of composing and how he didn't stick with predictable rock chord structure, but focused on the chords being determined by the lyrics so where one might assume the structure might return to the tonic, he'd completely alter that notion and move to a completely new key so that the lyrics would be given its true expression, but it's never jarring and makes perfect expressive musical sense.

The reason Bowie was exploring themes of insanity is he had a schizophrenic half-brother, Terry. The original US album release cover featured a cartoon of the asylum he was committed to; Cane Hill. Bewlay Brothers on Hunky Dory also deals with the theme. Terry committed suicide many years later by jumping in front of a train. Bowie’s track ‘Jump They Say’ refers to the incident.

Kurt Cobain was playing a very rare 1959 Martin D28-E, Nirvana surprised a lot of people by avoiding the expectations that they would not take the Unplugged format seriously. Their set list avoided many of the more raucous tracks, the subtle arrangements didn't seem to fit the grunge scene, but they weren't afraid to play with the format, this track being the most divergent from the acoustic set theme. There is a reason why this and Eric Clapton's Unplugged sets are the two that are the most well-received and best-selling; they both played well with the format and made them their own.

Hey Doug. Glad you've finally done some Bowie! He had many style changes, but was almost always artistically interesting. I'd recommend you next do "Station to Station" from his Thin White Duke period...10 minutes long, but a lot going on both musically and lyrically. I think you'll appreciate it!

Bowie Suggestions: The three albums Bowie made with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti in the late 70s are musically very interesting. I would suggest "Warszawa" from the album "Low". It's a bit of a deep cut, so if you want to go with something a bit more well known, go with the title track from "Blackstar", Bowie's last album.

“It’s almost like sophisticated folk music” i think that’s a good description of psychedelic folk/rock in the late 60s, which David was influenced by at the time he wrote the song

Oh my friend, the journey of discovery you have ahead of you with David Bowie! I highly recommend "Life on Mars," as it's arguably one of the greatest songs he ever wrote (and it's a cheeky little middle finger to Paul Anka). The most reasonable interpretation I've seen of this song (and the reason that Cobain chose it) is because it reflects a tension between who a celebrity is and the public's expectation of who they're supposed to be. I always saw it as Bowie having a conversation with his pre-fame self ("I thought you died a long long time ago") and affirming that the core person, the pre-fame Bowie, is still alive and in charge.

I recommend Bowie's Station to Station (1976) from the album of the same name and the Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing(Reprise) suite (1974) from the Diamond Dogs. Truly amazing pieces of music. Really happy you finally did something on Bowie. I was really looking forward to this.

The start of Bowie and those creative characters and personas percolating under the surface. What did emerge is one of THE greatest body's of work of any artist. He was that good. Following his journey from this point on will be a very rewarding experience, Mr Daily Doug.

Bowie is a very deep rabbit hole. Once you get to Low, you're hearing instrumental work.

Man you should review “ where did you sleep last night “ Nirvana cover or should I say , Kurt’s melodic approach to that song . Haunting !

David Bowie "Station to Station"

Wonderful, as always! If you're considering Bowie... please do Life On Mars off Hunky Dory. There is tons of interesting harmonic movement on this piece... and Rick Wakeman played the piano on it!!

I wonder if perhaps “Cygnet Committee” from David Bowie. It is quite unique and never heard nowadays. Melodic and sophisticated but exploring themes that are dark and riven with guilt and disaster. Or “Life on Mars” for Rick Wakeman’s delightful piano and Bowie’s effortless poetry.

There is lots of great David Bowie music. His great strength was that he was always exploring: music, rock, soul, German rock and shifting personas. Among his best work was his concept album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, the Berlin Trilogy Low, Heroes, and Lodger, and his last album Black Star. His top songs, Changes, Space Oddity, Golden Years, Fame, Lets Dance, Station to Station, Cat People, Day in Day Out to name a few.

Good one Doug! Big Bowie fan here, glad you've started. To counterpoint other comment's, I really love Bowie's post 2000 stuff: Slow Burn is amazing (with Pete Townshend), and his last work: Lazarus, and Blackstar

The Bowie song, I believe you'll absolutely love would be "Aladdin Sane." That or "Station to Station."

Dude my third video of yours so digging you now especially these two songs goodness gracious love you

Great video Doug. That Bowie album is one my desert island discs. Though I would suggest for your next Bowie reaction, "Life On Mars" from the Hunky Dory album, it has fascinating lyrics and a whole ton of dramatic chord changes. For Nirvana, I always loved the chords on "Heart Shaped Box".

I love your really intuitive critical insights into David Bowie’s headspace during this period. For a long time fan such as myself it’s gratifying. And musically pointing things out that are really interesting as well. Dichotomies, Etc You will be interested to hear that this was really the product of his genius as he didn’t have lyrics during the production, went to the washroom over lunch and hashed these out last moment, as was often his wont in-studio. Gotta love the guy He was also known during thisperiod to have been laying down first take vocals which is 90% of what you hear on this album as well as for example Ziggy Stardust which is what makes Each song such a performance piece and Ken Scott, producer of ZS, whose résumé included the Beatles and many other fantastic singers, said that no one else was even close to Bowie in this regard. Wham bam thank ye ma’am.

I was 12 when I watched this concert live. It was life changing musically. Still a favourite concert for me and my favourite of Nirvana's sound. Beautiful and haunting.

The whole Nirvana MTV Unplugged is such an amazing experience to listen to. Many of the songs are covers and this was to create something unexpected to the audience. Dave was not into the idea that it should be acoustic and he would play a smaller drumkit. He played with T rods sticks and not the average drumsticks. Since he is a hard hitter he had to play more relaxed because the rod sticks would break hitting hard.

To continue on the Original/Cover theme, you should look at Hurt by Nine Inch Nails and then by Johnny Cash.

Nirvana - Aneurysm - my favourite song of this band.

Thanks, Doug. Great analysis. I really loved that - both versions.

Maybe be Kurt covered this song because both he and Bowie struggled with their identity and expressed themselves through their songs, often creating characters to perform them.

Would love to see a whole series of originals and their covers! Keep up the great work Doug!

David Bowie's 20th album from 1995 "OutSide". This album is a trip!!

Bowie also gave this track to Lulu who had a UK chart hit circa 1973 with it, the best version i've heard is a cover on Metal Gear V. Bowie albums to look at would be Hunky Dory and The Rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust, if he'd only made these 2 albums he'd still be a legend.

Nirvana. On a Plain. One of my favorite songs of theirs. Sophisticated musically but accessible.

Where did you sleep last night” will give chills for sure , please hear it and enjoy it. Nice doing!!

Nirvana has a lot of interesting riff work, often utilising unique intervals for their power chords and slower melodic sections. I'd recommend Lithium, In Bloom, Heart Shaped Box, and Rape Me. I assume you've heard Smells Like Teen Spirit, but if not, definitely hit that first! Number 1 90s Anthem right there!

When I was young ( 62 now )we had a band, we played covers and also our own songs. At that time it was curious to see that most of the bands that were starting out used to cover Bowie, and so did we. When you asked new rooky musicians why, why they used to play Bowie. They responded, man, with Bowie you learn and work a lot, there are many unexpected changes, there is no song the same as another, it is very good for learning, practicing and rehearsing. I was the drummer and I was always a big fan of the first Bowie. Hundrets of hits that you can check.You did one of his best àlbums the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars , good start , then. Life on Mars, Space Odity, station to station , Young Americans, Cracked actor , Ashes to Ashes ,Diamond Dogs , All the madmen .... Best live concerts Ziggy in Hammersmith Odeon 1973 , Diamond Dogs Tour , Serióus Moonlight París. Keep on rocking guy Greetings from Barcelona Excuse my english

The chord progression in this tune always fascinated me. Still does. And I agree this cover is fantastic.

I really like the cover, I think Kurt really offered a very tasteful minimalist approach to that song. It had a stronger focus on raw emotion than proposing an idea as Bowie did. Really two incredible and supremely versatile artists.

Just found your channel and am kinda loving it. Would love to hear your take on Bowie's Blackstar from his final album. Anything from his Berlin period would be great too.

Great job Doug. Enjoyed your video. On Nirvana.. Wow theres so many great to choose from. I'd start with something off Nevermind. In Bloom, Lithium, Drain You, On a Plain (there's some interesting tonal contrasts in that). Crazy but also good could be Breed or Milk it (from In Utero). Grunge was great and I'd love you to check out Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. Great stuff, just great ;-)

I binge listened to this and YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHT . for the better part of three months

You were asking for some more alternative selections to possibly critique. May I suggest Björk. She is an Icelandic singer songwriter. While I love grunge, Björk's music is different altogether. She was classically trained, and even admits she could have become a classical composer, but just took a different route. Hyperballed, or truly anything from her 90's output would be a great to discuss.

The song was covered by the Scottish singer Lulu in 1974, who, according to biographer David Buckley, performed it in "a sleazy, almost Berlin cabaret style". Lulu was ex Mrs Maurice Gibb, Bee Gees.

Nirvana's Entire unplugged performance is a master piece. Stand out songs I think you'd enjoy are All Apologies, on a plain and another cover called lake of fire. Have fun. Love you videos.

This whole unplugged concert is amazingly good! Great review !

What a great musician Kurt was, how much more could Nirvana be? it's a shame to have lost kurt so soon in a very hard way. Time passes and he continues to be what he is, a phenomenon, so much talent, the type of musician who is a super star, there are not many like him left.

i subbed because u did both versions of The Man Who Sold the World. Nirvana introduced me to this song first and then i heard DBs version afterward. i like both but Curts version moreso. Im a fan of both but i love MTV Unplugged (which is no longer on the air anymore). Rest in peace to both talented arists, i miss them & their music

Doug... i must admonish you on the fact that you've never done Bowie before now. when I was 12, back in '87, my uncle brought me to see Bowie live in Slane Castle (Ireland) on The Glass Spider Tour - changed my life FOREVER. David was, and still is, one of the most important people in music... EVER R.I.P. David Respect & Peace

Enjoyed hearing the two versions back to back. Someone has said Life on Mars (ft Rick Wakeman), The next album Hunky Dory must be worth a full listen. You said it Doug, "Sounds like folk" Guess you should give Steeleye Span a listen. I am sure steeleye/Maddy Prior fans can throw loads of stuff to listen to. :)

Hey Doug, I've been a fan of yours for a few months now but this is the first time I've actually put the words together trying to say how much I appreciate your reactions. They say there's no such thing as "good envy" but in a very 'positve' envious way I have to say; I've always been impressed by that perfect pitch you display on your vids. Can't say if it's true or not, but you hear and say notes and scales the way I wish I could express in the way you do. I hear things, just don't have the way to translate them into this social convention we call music. Hope you read this.

Interesting comparison and glad you’re thinking covering both artists. Both deserve a lot of attention

David Bowie’s Vocals & Songwriting with Mick Ronson on Guitar Perfect Together

Hi Doug, you might want to consider "The Width of a Circle" from the original The Man Who Sold The World album. The whole album is great with this the standout track.

Bowie is such a wide spectrum. You can find something you like across his discography no matter your preferences.

One of my favourite songs both from Bowie and Nirvana. I LOVE seeing people who deeply understand music pick apart, geek out and love the music that they weren't exposed to but that I was, and understand the complexity and everything going on behind songs I love that many don't appreciate. But I actually came to comment THANK YOU for using the term "died from s" and not the other way people express that. As one of the people on that side of the mental health spectrum, it's an appreciated and really important distinction.

A very cool idea to put both tracks side by side. Thanks man!

Hi from France...I really like your reactions in general (especially all your prog rock reactions) and I'm so glad you came up to Bowie... he made so so many great songs that it's difficult to pick up one to recommend... Maybe you'd like Aladin Sane and its crazy piano solo... I'd really like hear u to react to it... Be safe, and apologize my broken english...

Splendid, more Bowie please and thank you ☺

For Bowie: Lady Grinning Soul featuring Mike Garson on piano doing faux Liszt and Station to Station. For Nirvana: Heart Shaped Box.

I am so so so happy to see you go through my musical journey: always expanding! I love your channel, Doug. I wish I had a fatherly / "unclely" figure like yours in my life. You have a great persona(lity) on the videos, Doug. I never get tired of your analysis. Thank you so much.

Nirvana did a bunch of covers (creditting on stage) on that concert. They wanted to give some exposure to others, while (being Nirvana) doing something different from other bands (that made accustic versions ofvtheir best hits).

There is so much Bowie that it is hard to choose - and he was such chameleon that it is all different. The entire album Hunky Dory is impressive lyrically and for Rick Wakeman's piano work. Musically, Alladin Sane is brilliant especially in terms of the interesting somewhat avante gard things on piano.

On A Plain is really quite an interesting Nirvana song, melodically and harmonically.

So great to see you react to Bowie! I strongly suggest you have a go with something off of his next album, the iconic masterpiece tour de force, Hunky Dory from 1971. The entire album is brilliant, but the song that may just be Bowie's greatest artistic achievement is "Life on Mars". Bowie was an authentic genius and his work will be dissected for ages to come.

Glad you gave your ear to both versions. There is so much to digest from David Bowie so you'll have your work cut out for ya. As regards to Nirvana, my favorite songs by them are either Territorial Pissings (love the nasty guitar tone, as a thrash-metal enthusiast I had to include this one) and Lithium. Both maybe not the most interesting harmonic/melodic songs from their catalogue but still worth a spin if you want to experience the breadth of Nirvana

The guitar is a Martin D-18E. It came with 2 DeArmond pickups, but these original from stock didn't sound very good with the bronze-wound strings Kurt was using back then, so for this gig he had them disabled and added one bartolini pickup to the soundhole. And yeah, he was using a distortion pedal on top of that. Most probably a DS-1 or DS-2

He wrote it at age 19, long before Ziggy and all the touring you speak of... but he was already obsessed with the duality of the insane, something that ran through his family.

This track always gives me goosebumbs and I tear up. No idea why, I have no history or backstory with it. It just gets me. Every time.

This should be a new trend! The original side by side with a cover, what fun!! Definitely have a listen to Nirvana's Heart-Shaped Box, lots of different harmonics

This video, back in day, DVD, Nirvana, will make you a fan. I like Nirvana bunches but this performance is is special & so accessible. As to Bowie songs, I don’t know where to start.

The Man Who Sold The World is my second favorite Bowie album of all time, right under Low. It's a work of genius from back to front, with Mick Ronson and Tony Visconti having a lot of influence on the writing and arrangement. Bowie was kind of checked out for it due to being madly in love during it's production, so they filled in the blanks. I highly recommend listening to the 2020 Tony Visconti mix of the whole album called Metrobolist, which this version of the song is sourced from. It's on Spotify. Blows the old original mix out of the water and makes everything sound like it was recorded yesterday.

Nirvana's unplugged concert is a less gritty and more mellow take on most of their music, and there are more great covers in that performance. I'd recommend All Apologies if you do more Nirvana- it's iconic and anthemic, one of their best songs IMO.

Thank you for analyzing this exciting song

I love the introduction that kurt gives to the song where predicts he will probably screw it up

"It's almost like really sophisticated folk music" Man you just described Roy Harper, he definitely deserves much more attention

Yes!!!! One of my favorite songs/covers of all time! RIP Kurt, love and miss you! You could really look at any song on that acoustic album for your breakdowns because they're a little more subdued, may be easier to analyze, thanks Doug!

Excellent analysis and insights. Bowie suggestions: Life on Mars, Golden Years, Starman, Sound and Vision, Ashes to Ashes, Boys Keep Swinging, Jean Genie, Oh You Pretty Things, and Diamond Dogs. Some of my favorites.

Doug, I would love for you to dive into the vast and varied David Bowid catalog. Considering your approach to making reaction videos, it would be great to hear your takes on "Life on Mars," "Aladdin Sane," "Wild is the Wind," "Heroes", and "Blackstar". In that order. Actually, I would enjoy your take on all of Bowie's music, but these five in particular would be an interesting journey. I chose "Life on Mars" because Rick Wakeman plays piano, and had much to say about the recording of this song. "Aladdin Sane also features piano, but this time by Mike Garson. The style and playing is quite different. And then the remaining suggestions take you in very different, musically interesting directions. "Heroes" and "Teenage Wasteland" feature Robert Fripp on guitar. "Blackstar" is something quite different.

Nirvana's version would not be the same without that second of feedback.

There's a reference to Antigonish, a poem from 1899 by William Hughes Mearns. "Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn't there! He wasn't there again today, Oh how I wish he'd go away!" ... _etc._

Love that you did both versions!

Most great artists sublimate energy into music, Bowie - having lived it first-hand - sublimates madness, which is akin to genius. A progressive artist of the highest degree.

Excellent reaction! You gotta do Bowie's Aladdin Sane, the piano on it is crazily good, think you would love it!

Station to Station to Scary Monsters (& Super Creeps) 5 albums of brilliance and includes the much loved Berlin Trilogy.

Long time lurker, first time commenter... People have already mentioned this in comments before - Cygnet Committee from David Bowie (probably also my favorite song of his); As for Nirvana - Aero Zeppelin.

Need to do an extended play on David Bowie's low or heroes

RU-vidr 12Tone has a very in-depth analysis of this song, both from the perspective of David and Kurt. It explores the duality of being whom you are and who you used to be, as well as the ennui of being a success.

One of my Nirvana favorites is Plateau For Bowie it's Heroes or Life on Mars but there are many to choose from for both.

One of the few songs that has an original AND a cover that are equally as good. I enjoyed your interpretations of the lyrics, too. Have a good Daily, Doug!

David Bowie: Have a listen to 'Star Man' Doug. I enjoy your breakdowns and knowledge.

I heard at one point someone thanked Bowie for writing the perfect Nirvana song. Talking about this cover.

Note the guitar pickup placed near the neck on the acoustic guitar. This allowed for effects pedals to be used for an acoustic. It is a modified guitar, not a commercially made model.

For an interesting atypical composition, check out "Aneurysm" from Nirvana. All Apologies is a favorite. Also from this Unplugged I recommend "Where did you Sleep Last Night". Another interesting one to check out is "Something in the Way" since Kurt's acoustic tuning is funky and the Cello had to change it's tuning to match Kurt's guitar.

Nirvana - where did you sleep last night- unplugged

Lulu's version was a massive UK hit, it got to number 3 in the charts. Bowie and Lulu had a brief romance. Lulu's version features Bowie on backing vocals and Mick Ronson on guitar. A grave omission, Sir. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TyFAnA9oPRE.html

I would LOVE for you to react to the full albums of Aladdin Sane, and 1. Outside. I think those are the ones that would really appeal to you the most. Outside is very avant garde, and was written via long improv sessions. Also, don't try to read too much into Bowie's lyrics, anything after Diamond Dogs: he learned early on thanks to Brian Eno to write lyrics that are more about the percussive nature of the consonants and the way the tone of vowels fit to serve the music. They would come up with the instrumentals first, then mumble random syllables along with the melody they figured out, until it eventually worked it's way into real words. David Byrne does the same with Talking Heads. Trying to get symbolism from them, therefore, is a futile exercise.

Ziggy Stardust from Bowie would be great to look at. Interesting chords in a rock song. All Apologies from the Nirvana Unplugged is probably worth looking into. I love the vocal harmonies. Plus, I like the way you take a stab at the meaning of abstract lyrics (like Yes) and Nirvana fits that bill for me. Your interpretations, while unprovable, are similarly as interesting as the ones in my brain, objectively speaking, of course.