About The Song
“Ziggy Stardust” is a pivotal song from David Bowie’s 1972 concept album “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” This album marked the emergence of Bowie’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. Here are five facts about the song:
- Concept Album Theme: “Ziggy Stardust” is part of a larger narrative explored in Bowie’s concept album. It tells the story of Ziggy Stardust, an androgynous, extraterrestrial rock star who acts as a messenger between Earth and space. The character of Ziggy allowed Bowie to explore themes of fame, identity, and societal issues.
- Guitar Riff and Style: The song is characterized by its iconic guitar riff played by Mick Ronson. The riff, combined with Bowie’s theatrical vocal delivery, contributed to the glam rock sound that defined the Ziggy Stardust era. The glam rock style and Ziggy’s flamboyant appearance became synonymous with Bowie’s image during this period.
- Cultural Impact: “Ziggy Stardust” and the associated album had a profound impact on popular culture. It played a crucial role in popularizing glam rock and influencing the glam and punk rock movements of the 1970s. The character of Ziggy Stardust became an enduring symbol of Bowie’s artistic innovation.
- Live Performances: Bowie’s live performances during the Ziggy Stardust era were known for their theatricality and elaborate stage setups. The Spiders from Mars, Bowie’s backing band during this period, played a key role in bringing the Ziggy Stardust character to life on stage.
- Legacy: “Ziggy Stardust” is considered one of Bowie’s signature songs and is often cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The character of Ziggy Stardust has become an enduring and influential figure in the realms of music, fashion, and performance art, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent generations of artists.
“Ziggy Stardust” remains a landmark in David Bowie’s career, capturing the zeitgeist of the 1970s and showcasing his ability to push artistic boundaries while delivering compelling and accessible music.
Video
Lyrics
Oh
Oh, yeah
Ziggy played guitar
Jamming good with Weird and Gilly
And the Spiders from Mars
He played it left hand
But made it too far
Became the special man
Then we were Ziggy’s bandZiggy really sang
Screwed-up eyes and screwed-down hairdo
Like some cat from Japan
He could lick ’em by smiling
He could leave ’em to hang
He came on so loaded, man
Well hung and snow white tanSo where were the spiders
While the fly tried to break our balls?
Just the beer light to guide us
So we bitched about his fans
And should we crush his sweet hands? OhZiggy played for time
Jiving us that we were voodoo
The kids were just crass
He was the nazz
With God-given ass
He took it all too far
But boy, could he play guitarMaking love with his ego
Ziggy sucked up into his mind, ah
Like a leper messiah
When the kids had killed the man
I had to break up the bandOh, yeah
Ooh
Ziggy played guitar