The Man Who Sold the World – I thought you died alone a long, long time ago. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #DavidBowie #KurtCobain #Nirvana #Beck #Bubbles #TheTrailerParkBoys

Here is David Bowie in one of many characters that gave a hint to what would ultimately become Ziggy Stardust. Fantastic and enigmatic lyrics that leave the listener in a mystical haze. 

We passed upon the stair

We spoke of was and when

Although I wasn’t there

He said I was his friend

Which came as a surprise

I spoke into his eyes

I thought you died alone

A long long time ago”

David Bowie

This era of music was like no other. In hindsight, it seems that amazing music was being released daily. It must have been impossible to keep up. ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ is another song that has enjoyed several lives through performances by a diverse group of players. Today I will give you the original and three covers. But as noted I will begin with David Bowie. The song is a sci-fi tinged account of a man who meets his ‘doppelgänger’ and they speak of their plot as outcasts in society. In an interview in the late ’90s Bowie stated when he wrote the song ‘there was a part of himself that he was looking for’. Upon reflection, it was a matter of himself working out through song who he was and who he was meant to be. The lyrics also speak to Bowie’s concerns about splintered or multiple personalities. The opening verse of the song bears a resemblance to a poem called ‘Antigonish’ by William Hughes Mearns. 

Last night I saw upon the stair

A little man who wasn’t there

he wasn’t there again today

Oh how I wish he’d go away.”

William Hughes Mearns

As I said earlier the lyrics really hint to the persona that evolved into the iconic Ziggy Stardust. 

As mentioned, ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ has inspired covers by artists from around the world but the version by Kurt Cobain and Nirvana on the brilliant ‘MTV Unplugged in New York’ foreshadows the demise of Kurt Cobain and speaks strongly to his fragility. Cobain died on this day in 1994. His body was found by an electrician who had come to his home to install a security system. The suicide note that was found said;

I haven’t felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music along with really writing…for too many years now.”

Kurt Cobain

A tragic loss and a voice of a generation of devoted grunge music fans. Bowie loved Nirvana’s rendition of the song saying,

I was blown away when I found Kurt Cobain liked my work.”

David Bowie

Bowie was intrigued as to why Cobain chose this particular song but somehow I believe he found a kindred spirit in terms of someone who was spiritually lost and having trouble determining his own identity. He may have seen a little of himself in the troubled Cobain. Unfortunately the meeting never happened. Sadly, the horrific haze of drug addiction and personal pain contributed to Cobain’s inability to work through his issues. 

Here is the TV Unplugged version that always has a moody and spooky feel. Such a strong performance. 

While researching this song I heard about this tribute to David Bowie performed by the surviving members of Nirvana; Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear  who teamed up with Beck on vocals. 

And finally, because things have gotten a little too heavy, here is Bubbles from The Trailer Park Boys doing his version. Bubbles (Mike Smith) is an actual musician and is more than a capable player so all kidding aside this is enjoyable and fun…because it is Bubbles.

As an added bonus…On January 5, 1980 David Bowie performed ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ on Saturday Night Live.