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For the film, seeMoonage Daydream (film).

"Moonage Daydream"
The A-side label of the 1971 UK single "Moonage Daydream" by the Arnold Corns
A-side label of the 1971 UK single
SinglebyArnold Corns
B-side"Hang On to Yourself"
ReleasedMay 1971
Recorded25 February 1971
StudioRadio Luxembourg,London
Length3:52
LabelB&C
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)David Bowie
Arnold Cornssingles chronology
"Moonage Daydream"
(1971) 		"Hang On to Yourself"
(1972)
"Moonage Daydream"
SongbyDavid Bowie
from the albumThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Released16 June 1972
Recorded12 November 1971
StudioTrident,London
GenreGlam rock
Length4:37
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)

"Moonage Daydream"is a song by the English singer-songwriterDavid Bowie.It was originally recorded in February 1971 atRadio Luxembourg's studios in London and released as a single by his short-lived bandArnold Cornsin May 1971 onB&C Records.Bowie subsequently re-recorded the song later that year with his backing bandthe Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson,Trevor BolderandMick Woodmansey—for release on his 1972 albumThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.The re-recording was co-produced byKen Scottand recorded atTrident Studiosin London in November 1971. The re-recording is aglam rocksong that uses melodic and harmonic hooks, as well as percussion and guitar influenced byheavy metal.On the album, the song directly introduces the characterZiggy Stardust,who describes himself as abisexualalien rock superstar who will save the Earth from the impending disaster described in the opening track "Five Years".It features saxophone played by Bowie and a guitar solo and string arrangement by Ronson.

Since its release, "Moonage Daydream" has received critical acclaim, with many deeming Ronson's guitar work its clear standout. Retrospectively, it has been named one of Bowie's greatest songs. He played it in concert throughout 1972–73 on theZiggy Stardust Tourand on later tours. TheZiggyrecording has since appeared on multiplecompilation albumsand in the 2014 filmGuardians of the Galaxy,while the Arnold Corns recording has appeared on reissues ofThe Man Who Sold the World(1970) andZiggy Stardust.TheZiggyrecording has been remastered multiple times, including in 2012, which was subsequently included as part of theFive Years (1969–1973)box set in 2015, along with the Arnold Corns recording.

Composition and recording

[edit]

"Moonage Daydream" was written during Bowie's US promotional tour in early February 1971.[1]After the tour Bowie formed a short-lived band,Arnold Corns,named after thePink Floydsong "Arnold Layne".[2]Led by Bowie, the band consisted of guitarist Mark Carr-Pritchard, bassist Peter DeSomogyi and drummer Tim Broadbent, who were known previously as a trio called Rungk.[2]Arnold Corns recorded "Moonage Daydream" and "Hang On to Yourself"on 25 February 1971 atRadio Luxembourg's studios in London.[2][3][4]Bowie later hired openly gay dress designer Freddie Burretti, for whom he wrote "Moonage Daydream", to be the group's frontman.[5]Although credited as a vocalist, Burretti did not appear on either recording.[5][6][7]BiographerPeter Doggettwrote the original version had a "playful science-fiction-inspired chorus, two nondescript verses with a single memorable line, and an arrangement that not only racked his voice like a martyr under the Inquisition but virtually defined the word 'shambolic'."[8]According to biographerNicholas Pegg,the Arnold Corns version lacks the "lightness of touch" of the second.[1]Like Doggett, Pegg criticises the recording's arrangement and Bowie's vocal, calling it a "strained attempt" at an Americanrock'n'rollvocal, along with an additional "come on, you mothers!" lyric.[1]According toMarc Spitz,the Arnold Corns version is melodically the same as theZiggyversion, but with a slightly different chorus.[4]Doggett believes that had the track and "Hang On to Yourself" not been re-recorded forZiggy Stardust,they would have been forgotten.[8]Author Kevin Cann writes that once the lyrics were revised and "given the Ziggy treatment", it became a "glittering glam gem" in the context of the album.[9]

Bowie re-recorded "Moonage Daydream" on 12 November 1971 atTrident Studiosin London for inclusion onThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.[1][10]Co-produced byKen Scott,the lineup consisted of Bowie's backing band known asthe Spiders from Mars—comprising guitaristMick Ronson,bassistTrevor Bolderand drummerMick Woodmansey.[11]The group recorded the track in two takes, as well as "Soul Love","Lady Stardust"and a re-recording ofThe Man Who Sold the World(1970) track "The Supermen"during the session.[12]The re-recording, like its parent album, is aglam rocksong[13][14]that uses melodic and harmonic hooks, as well as percussion and guitar influenced byheavy metal.[15]Doggett states that after learning from the "vocal agonies" of the Arnold Corns recording, the Spiders decided to record the song three semitones lower than before.[16]

Ronson begins the song on guitar with a D chord that has been described as an "avalanche",[17]a "pile-driver", and an "opening thunderbolt" that is Ronson's "declaration of intent".[16]Pegg writes that the chord "cuts across the fade-out" of "Soul Love"taking the listener" into the morass of sleazy sex and surreal science fiction that occupies the album's heart. "[1]After a short pause, Bowie begins his vocal, which Doggett believes sounds far better than the "metallic rasp" of his 1970 recordings.[16]Bowie plays a saxophone and apennywhistleduring Ronson's solo, which are inspired bythe Hollywood Argyles' 1960 song "Sho Know a Lot About Love";[18]Bowie recalled in 2003 that he thought the combination of sax and piccolo was "a great thing to put in a rock song".[19]Ronson's guitar solo was mostly improvised after Bowie had conveyed the mood he wanted using an unconventional method.[18]Bowie later recalled in his 2002 bookMoonage Daydreamthat he would use a crayon or felt-tip pen to draw the "shape" of a solo. This song's solo began as a flat line that became "a fat megaphone type shape" and ended as "sprays of disassociated and broken lines". He stated that he read somewhere thatFrank Zappahad used the same method to communicate solos to his musicians. Bowie was impressed that Ronson was able to use this method to bring the solo to life.[18]The song's strings, arranged and orchestrated by Ronson,[18]appear at the return of the chorus, climaxing in a "steep pizzicato descent".[16]They appear again during the fadeout, this time having a "swirling phased" effect that was Scott's idea during the mixing stage.[18]Doggett said, "Only in the final moments did Ronson's guitar provide the climactic release that the daydream demanded, continually returning to the same motifs as if in ecstatic spasm."[16]

Lyrics

[edit]

As the third track on the album, "Moonage Daydream" directly introduces the character of Ziggy Stardust,[1]following "Five Years"which describes an impending disaster that will result in Earth only having five years left and"Soul Love"in which numerous characters deal with love before the impending disaster.[20]

Once introduced, Ziggy proclaims himself "an exotic hybrid of rock's past and mankind's future": "an alligator" (strong and remorseless), "a mama-papa" (non-gender specific), "the space invader" (alien and phallic), "a rock'n'rollin' bitch" and a "pink-monkey-bird" (gay slang for a recipient of anal sex).[1][8]Ziggy also praises the virtues of "the church of man, love" (or heard as "the church of man-love" ); Pegg believes that this line is inspired in part by the proposed "Church of God, Love and Man" by philosopherThomas Paine,who Bowie often referenced indirectly (and directly on the 1990Adrian Belewcollaboration "Pretty Pink Rose" ).[1]

Doggett believes that the "carefree" imagery Ziggy presents heightens the "erotic fantasy" of the chorus, described as "a wet dream that was 'moonage' for the era of theApollomissions "and for the tradition of" muse poetry "byRobert Graves,which is linked to "ancient cults that worshipped the moon, accessing the imagination without involving the intellect."[8]Doggett continues that as philosopherColin Wilsonsaid in 1971, "the moon goddess was the goddess of magic, of the subconscious, of poetic inspiration."[8]Hence, a "moonage daydream" might represent "an ecstatic, instinctive path to creativity", or nothing more than an homage to "Marc Bolan's brand of lyrical imagery ".[8]Bowie used several Americanisms on the original version of the song, most of them retained on the re-recording, using abbreviations such as "comin'", "'lectric" and "rock'n'rollin'", as well as phrases such as "busting up my brains", "lay the real thing on me", "freak out" and "far out".[1]According to Pegg, there are several homages present—including one toIggy Pop,whose lyric "she got a TV eye on me" turns into "keep your 'lectric eye on me", and one toLegendary Stardust Cowboy,whose lyric "I shot my space gun" turns into "put your ray gun to my head".[1]

Release and reception

[edit]
Mick Ronson playing guitar
Mick Ronson's guitar work received unanimous praise from music critics, with most calling it the best aspect of the track.

The original version of "Moonage Daydream" by the short-lived band Arnold Corns was released in the UK byB&C Recordsas a 7-inch single[7]with "Hang On to Yourself" as the B-side in May 1971.[21][22]The re-recorded version was released as the third track on Bowie's fifth studio albumThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,between "Soul Love" and "Starman",on 16 June 1972 byRCA Records.[23]Discussing the song's placement in the album's track-listing, Pegg describes it as its "keystone" if one identifies the opening and closing tracks ( "Five Years" and "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide",respectively) as the album's framework.[1]

When I walked into the control room and heard "Moonage Daydream" played back through the speakers for the first time I knew then we really had something special. I'll never forget it.[9]

–Trevor Bolder,1993

Since its release, "Moonage Daydream" has received critical acclaim, with many deeming Ronson's guitar work as the clear standout. In his bookThe Complete David Bowie,Nicholas Pegg praises Ronson's guitar solo, calling it "spectacular" and a "vital ingredient" of the recording.[18]He describes it as arguably Ronson's finest on a Bowie recording and renowned among guitarists as an "all-time classic".[18]Reviewing the album for its 40th anniversary, Jordan Blum ofPopMattersdescribes "Moonage Daydream", "Hang On to Yourself" and "It Ain't Easy" as "invigorating rockers" that are highlighted by Ronson's "electrifying timbres".[24]FollowingBowie's deathin 2016,Rolling Stonelisted "Moonage Daydream" as one of his 30 essential songs, giving unanimous praise to Ronson's guitar work, calling it some of the most "jaw-dropping" of his career.[25]Stephen Thomas ErlewineofAllMusicpraises Ronson's guitar work, writing "[Ronson] plays with a maverick flair that invigorates rockers like 'Suffragette City', 'Moonage Daydream' and 'Hang On to Yourself'. "[11]Ned Raggett, also of AllMusic, calls the track one of Bowie's "fiercest rockers ever".[26]He continues, "As a prototype of glam rock's still-influential formula – descending, slow chords; high singing; sexually charged if not exploded imagery; thick, fat feedback; and more –it nails it on every level."[26]He finishes his review writing: "Ronson's keyboards and final, swirling string arrangement, matched with a brilliant guitar solo, prove the icing on the cake, sealing 'Moonage Daydream' forever as a rock classic."[26]

Ultimate Classic Rock,in their list of Bowie's ten best songs, listed "Moonage Daydream" at number three, calling it one of the most powerful songs on the album—and of his career.[27]They praised the lyrics and Ronson's guitar work, calling it a "rock'n'roll tour de force".[27]Ian Fortnam ofClassic Rock,when ranking every track on the album from worst to best, placed the song at number six, and praised Ronson's guitar work, calling his ending guitar solo "überglamtastic" and "to die for".[28]In 2018,NMElisted the song as Bowie's 11th-greatest.[19]Alexis Petridis ofThe Guardianranked "Moonage Daydream" 33rd in his list of Bowie's 50 greatest songs, calling Ronson's guitar solo "mind-blowing" and describing it as the best example of "high-drama rock anthemics" onZiggy Stardust.[29]Tim Wheelerof the Northern Irish rock bandAsh,in an interview withQmagazine, said, "With Bowie, you're spoilt for choice when it comes tosci-fi-inspired songs. But 'Moonage Daydream' is my favourite. It's got a greatriffand it sounds really pretty in a weird kind of way, even though the lyrics are quite dark. "[30]

Live versions

[edit]

Bowie recorded "Moonage Daydream" for theBBCradio programmeSounds of the 70s:John Peelon 16 May 1972. This recording was later released on the albumBowie at the Beebin 2000.[1][31]Bowie performed the song throughout 1972–73 on theZiggy Stardust Tour,where he would occasionally introduce it as "a song written by Ziggy".[1]A live version from the tour, recorded atSanta Monica Civic Auditoriumon 20 October 1972, was released onLive Santa Monica '72(2008).[32]It was also performed during the tour's final concert at theHammersmith Odeon,London, on 3 July 1973, where Bowie announced: "This is the last show we'll ever do." This was later understood as the retiring of Ziggy Stardust.[33]This recording was released onZiggy Stardust: The Motion Picture(1983).[34]Bowie subsequently performed the track on theDiamond Dogs Tour,and on the1995 Outside,1997 Earthlingand2002 Heathentours.[18]Recordings from the Diamond Dogs Tour have been released onDavid Live(1974),Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)(2017),[35][36]andI'm Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74)(2020). A live version from the Outside Tour, recorded on 13 December 1995, was released on the "Hallo Spaceboy"single in 1996.[18]The entire concert from which the song was taken was released in 2020 asNo Trendy Réchauffé (Live Birmingham 95)(2020).[37]

Legacy

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The Arnold Corns version (without the spoken intro "Whenever you're ready" ) was released as a bonus track on the 1990Rykodiscre-release ofThe Man Who Sold the Worldand on the 2002 reissue ofZiggy Stardust.[1][38][39]The spoken intro was restored for release onRe:Call 1,part of theFive Years (1969–1973)compilation, in 2015.[1][40]

TheZiggy Stardustrecording has since appeared on multiplecompilation albums,including the 1989 box setSound + Vision,[41]Best of Bowie(2002),[42]Nothing Has Changed(2014),[43]andLegacy(2016).[44]TheZiggyrecording, along with its parent album, has been remastered multiple times, including in 1990 by Rykodisc,[45][46]and in 2012 for its 40th anniversary.[47]The 2012 remaster and a 2003 remix by producer Ken Scott, along with the original Arnold Corns recording, were included in the box setFive Years (1969–1973)in 2015.[40]A new mix of the track also appears on the 2002 reissue ofZiggy Stardust,on which, in Cann's words, Ronson's guitar is "to the fore."[39][48]This mix was originally featured in a 1998Dunloptelevision commercial.[18][49]

The song appears in the 2014 filmGuardians of the Galaxyand on itssoundtrack.[50][51]It is heard in the film during theGuardians' entrance toKnowhere,the headquarters of theCollector.[51]Of all the songs on the soundtrack, "Moonage Daydream" was the only song added in post-production.[51]DirectorJames Gunnwas unsure about using it initially, but ended up choosing it over "Wichita Lineman"byGlen Campbelland "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"byThree Dog Night.[51]

Moonage Daydream: The Life and Times of Ziggy Stardust,a book written by Bowie, is named after the song and was published in 2002 byGenesis Publications.It documents the years 1972–73 and is fully illustrated with the photography ofMick Rock.Bowie met him in 1972 and they formed a working relationship and lasting friendship. Rock was the only photographer authorised to record the two-year career ofZiggy Stardust.[52][53]

The song also served as the namesake for the 2022Moonage Daydreamdocumentary on Bowie, announced on 23 May 2022, consisting of archival material detailing Bowie's life and career. The documentary is the first posthumous film about Bowie to be approved by his estate.[54][55]

Personnel

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Certifications

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Sales certifications for "Moonage Daydream"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Silver 200,000‡

‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefghijklmnoPegg 2016,p. 327.
  2. ^abcdPegg 2016,p. 604.
  3. ^abCann 2010,pp. 206–207.
  4. ^abSpitz 2009,p. 156.
  5. ^abCann 2010,p. 207.
  6. ^Pegg 2016,p. 605.
  7. ^abc"Single Stories: David Bowie," Moonage Daydream "".Rhino. 7 May 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2020.Retrieved10 March2020.
  8. ^abcdefDoggett 2012,p. 118.
  9. ^abCann 2010,p. 253.
  10. ^Woodmansey 2017,pp. 88, 114.
  11. ^abErlewine, Stephen Thomas."The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archived fromthe originalon 10 March 2020.Retrieved7 March2020.
  12. ^Cann 2010,p. 231.
  13. ^Jarroush, Sami (8 July 2014)."Masterpiece Reviews:" David Bowie – The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars "".Consequence of Sound.Archivedfrom the original on 18 September 2017.Retrieved17 September2017.
  14. ^Perone 2007,p. 32.
  15. ^Perone 2007,p. 28.
  16. ^abcdeDoggett 2012,p. 119.
  17. ^Spitz 2009,p. 187.
  18. ^abcdefghijkPegg 2016,p. 328.
  19. ^abBarker, Emily (8 January 2018)."David Bowie's 40 greatest songs – as decided byNMEand friends ".NME.Archived fromthe originalon 3 November 2019.Retrieved16 February2020.
  20. ^Spitz 2009,p. 187: "Five Years";Pegg 2016,p. 445; "Soul Love"
  21. ^Cann 2010,p. 216.
  22. ^"Moonage Daydream"(single liner notes).The Arnold Corns.UK:B&C Records.1971. CB 149.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(liner notes).David Bowie.UK:RCA Victor.1972. SF 8287.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^Blum, Jordan (12 July 2012)."David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars".PopMatters.Archivedfrom the original on 1 January 2017.Retrieved8 January2017.
  25. ^Rolling StoneStaff (11 January 2016)."David Bowie: 30 Essential Songs".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon 3 December 2019.Retrieved25 January2020.
  26. ^abcRaggett, Ned.""Moonage Daydream" – David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 4 July 2019.Retrieved7 March2020.
  27. ^abKaufman, Spencer (11 January 2016)."Top 10 David Bowie songs".Ultimate Classic Rock.Archived fromthe originalon 31 December 2019.Retrieved25 January2020.
  28. ^Fortnam, Ian (11 November 2016)."Every song on David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust ranked from worst to best".Louder.Archivedfrom the original on 26 August 2019.Retrieved26 August2019.
  29. ^Petridis, Alexis (19 March 2020)."David Bowie's 50 greatest songs – ranked!".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 22 March 2020.Retrieved23 March2020.
  30. ^Wheeler, Tim(August 2007). "Sci-fi rocks".Q:117.
  31. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Bowie at the Beeb: The Best of the BBC Radio Sessions 68–72– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 2 July 2018.Retrieved10 March2020.
  32. ^Thornton, Anthony (1 July 2008)."David Bowie – 'Live: Santa Monica '72' review".NME.Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2012.Retrieved10 March2020.
  33. ^Buckley 1999,p. 191.
  34. ^Viglione, Joe."Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 24 April 2019.Retrieved10 March2020.
  35. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."David Live– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 24 April 2019.Retrieved10 March2020.
  36. ^Randle, Chris (29 June 2017)."David Bowie:Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles '74)".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on 17 November 2019.Retrieved10 March2020.
  37. ^"BLA Part 2 – No Trendy Réchauffé (Live Birmingham 95)".9 November 2020.Retrieved12 November2020.
  38. ^The Man Who Sold the World(CD liner notes). David Bowie. US:Rykodisc.1990. RCD 10132.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ^abThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(liner notes). David Bowie. US:EMI.2002. 72435 39826 2.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  40. ^abFive Years (1969–1973)(Box set liner notes). David Bowie. UK, Europe & US:Parlophone.2015. DBXL 1.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Sound + Vision– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 8 May 2019.Retrieved7 March2020.
  42. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Best of Bowie– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 1 April 2019.Retrieved7 March2020.
  43. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Nothing Has Changed– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 8 May 2019.Retrieved7 March2020.
  44. ^Erlewine, Stephen Thomas."Legacy– David Bowie ".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 8 May 2019.Retrieved7 March2020.
  45. ^"The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars [Bonus Tracks]".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2017.Retrieved2 October2017.
  46. ^The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(liner notes). David Bowie. US: Rykodisc. 1990. RCD 10134.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ^The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(liner notes). David Bowie. Europe: EMI. 2012. 5099946361417.{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  48. ^Cann 2010,p. 255.
  49. ^Drake, Rossiter (4 September 2002)."The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: 30th Anniversary Edition".Metro Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2017.Retrieved2 October2017.
  50. ^Pegg 2016,p. 329.
  51. ^abcdSuskind, Alex (8 August 2014)."Director James Gunn on How He Chose the Music in Guardians of the Galaxy".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on 9 August 2014.Retrieved19 September2014.
  52. ^Bowie, David (2005).Moonage Daydream: The Life & Times of Ziggy Stardust.Universe.ISBN0789313502.
  53. ^"Genesis Publications –Moonage Daydream".Genesis Publications.Archivedfrom the original on 16 December 2018.Retrieved10 March2020.
  54. ^Kroll, Charlotte (23 May 2022)."David Bowie muses on life's meaning in 'Moonage Daydream' documentary teaser trailer".NME.Retrieved23 May2022.
  55. ^Garcia, Thania (23 May 2022)."'Moonage Daydream' Trailer Unveils Dazzling David Bowie Footage Ahead of Cannes Premiere ".Variety.Penske Media Corporation.Retrieved23 May2022.
  56. ^Cann 2010,p. 252.
  57. ^"British single certifications – David Bowie – Moonage Daydream".British Phonographic Industry.Retrieved26 June2020.

General and cited sources

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