Songs & Films of the Week No.9

DAVID BOWIEEE!!!!!

I have this tendency to dislike following trends--especially musical trends. That's why I tend to listen to classics 80% of the time. I know very well that many other people like listening to oldies as much as I do--maybe more. However, not everyone mentions it so it seems as though an opening for me to enjoy such songs without the constant knowledge that it's all the rage. In recent years, I have learned to keep such interests fairly hidden until someone asks me or expresses similar interests. This is when I have such joy in musical conversation and truly feel connected to someone. I remember when I found out a friend I met two years ago admitted to liking what he called "bad-sounding" 60s music. I was EXTREMELY content because I finally could talk to and share one of my passions with another though I wouldn't label my 60s musical taste as "bad-sounding".

Anyways, to follow in this week's song and film choice, I choose primarily songs as I have not been watching as many films as I have done so with documentaries: So voilà! In keeping with my interest in David Bowie this week, here are 5 of my favourite Bowie songs:

"Valentine's Day" - David Bowie

This song does not get enough recognition. As one of Bowie's later works, he still masters a sense of timelessness to his track. In a sense, also reflecting his earlier styles of "Life on Mars" and "All the Young Dudes".

"Life on Mars"

It is said that Bowie was assigned to write a version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way". Bowie wrote this track with Sinatra's song and melody in mind. This is why when you listen to both and compare--you can sense a similar tune and pensive mood. This is why I love this song. It is a wonderful combination f old and "new"--a song with great meaning too.

"Ashes to Ashes"

Following idea of great mood, I chose Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" being that he wrote this song about his struggles with drug addiction. He greatly visualises the effects it had on him prior to his healing which occurred thanks to his son after a divorce making Bowie a single dad.

"Heroes"

I had to include this song since this was the song that truly introduced me and got me into David Bowie in the first place. Though "Under Pressure" was my first-first, Heroes left a mark in my brain because of this scene in "Perk of a Wallflower" where Emma Watson's character glides through a tunnel with her arms wide open in car. This song played during this scene and I just felt and was captured by the sense of freedom this scene+song combo gave me.

It is still a song I can never get tired of no matter how many times I've played it.

"Modern Love"

I discovered this song about a month ago. It resonated with me as I was going through a sort of heartbreak at the time. This song--I felt could sing my easiness to fall in love or like someone; yet, fantasise about romance as depicted in the past. It was as if Bowie knew what it felt like to lose faith in "modern" romance having experienced it many times yet failing.