David Bowie - Queen Bitch (Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972 + with Lou Reed, 1997)

[highplainsdem]

(Please note - that IS the song title, not my choice of language.)

This was uploaded to the David Bowie channel on YouTube just a couple of days ago.

And wow, can you hear the Lou Reed/Velvet Underground influence on Bowie here!

Some info on the song, from Wikipedia, below the video.

From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Bitch

"Queen Bitch" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was originally released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory before appearing as the B-side of the single "Rebel Rebel" in the United Kingdom in early 1974. The song was inspired by the Velvet Underground and, in particular, lead singer Lou Reed. It was debuted on BBC radio in June 1971 before being properly recorded at Trident Studios in London between late June and mid-July. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, the lineup consisted of the musicians who would later become known as the Spiders from Mars: guitarist Mick Ronson, bassist Trevor Bolder and drummer Mick Woodmansey.

As a tribute to the Velvet Underground, the song contains both musical and lyrical references to the band. The provocative lyrics concern a male character whose lover searches for drag queens and hookups after the narrator refuses his advances. The drag queen is described using stereotypical phrases. Unlike the majority of Hunk Dory's tracks, "Queen Bitch" is primarily driven by guitar rather than piano. Characterised as glam rock and proto-punk, commentators have noted that the song foreshadowed the direction Bowie would take for his next album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972).

"Queen Bitch" has been called one of the best tracks on the album, while some reviewers have considered it one of the best glam rock songs. Bowie performed it live on various BBC radio programmes and concert tours. He also performed it with Lou Reed at Bowie's 50th birthday bash in 1997. Artists who have covered the song include Brazilian singer Seu Jorge and the Hotrats, while it has also appeared in various films and video games.

That performance with Lou Reed for Bowie's 50th birthday bash:

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Nice Post

I enjoyed the A/B of the 2 versions.
David became an increasingly better singer as he got older. In the 2nd video, his voice is fuller & his pitch control is better. Lou sings his piece nicely, too.
In the snip posted, it mentions that this song is guitar driven unlike much of Hunky Dory, which is piano driven.
Piano driven songs made sense because the piano player on that album was the great Rick Wakeman!

[highplainsdem]

2. Thanks! Since you're a fan of Rick Wakeman's, I was wondering if you saw

some interesting anecdotes about him, and video from him, in these threads (and replies in the second one):

https://democraticunderground.com/103485626

https://democraticunderground.com/103485889

[ProfessorGAC]

3. The Story About Him & Visconti Is Funny

Great player like him and "Gliss when I nod." Hilarious.
I'll look at the other video later.
Rick is #2 on my list of best piano player in rock history.
I have only Emerson ahead of him, and that's mostly because Rick could jazz things up better than Rick.
They're both great. More like 1a & 1b than 1 & 2.