Starman

About this song

"Starman" was the first single from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and is widely regarded as one of Bowie's most influential songs. It was recorded at the request of RCA Records, which wanted a single from the album and replaced a planned cover of Chuck Berry's "Around and Around" with it. The song's success led to Bowie appearing on BBC One's Top of the Pops, where he pointed at the camera while singing, giving viewers at home the feeling he was singing to them. Biographers credited that approach with helping the song resonate with British youth and bringing Bowie mainstream prominence in the United Kingdom.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 7 other songs, like “Galaxy by Ghost Blade”.
• Covered 23 times, including “Starman by ODC (FRA)”.
• Written by David Bowie.
• Produced by David Bowie and Ken Scott.
• Recorded at Trident Studios.