The Depths · All albums

Hunky Dory

David Bowie · 1971

• Scores: Noise 1, Unease 1, Complexity 1 (each 1 to 5)
• Genre: Rock, Art Pop, Glam Rock
• Mood: wistful, theatrical, warm
• Sound: piano-led, orchestral touches, melodic songwriting, quirky lyrics

Bowie recorded this between June and August 1971 at Trident Studios in London, producing with Ken Scott. The songs are mostly piano-led, a shift from the guitar-driven hard rock of The Man Who Sold the World, with Rick Wakeman on piano and Mick Ronson writing string arrangements. Quicksand layers multiple acoustic guitars at Scott's insistence, and Fill Your Heart is a cover of a Biff Rose and Paul Williams song. A February 1971 promotional tour of the United States inspired it, and three songs pay tribute to Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan and Lou Reed.

Track list

1. Changes (3:37)
2. Oh! You Pretty Things (3:12)
3. Eight Line Poem (2:55)
4. Life on Mars? (3:43)
5. Kooks (2:53)
6. Quicksand (5:08)
7. Fill Your Heart (3:07)
8. Andy Warhol (3:56)
9. Song for Bob Dylan (4:12)
10. Queen Bitch (3:18)
11. The Bewlay Brothers (5:22)