Prettiest Star

David Bowie

About Prettiest Star

"The Prettiest Star" is a song by David Bowie, originally released as a single in March 1970. In January 1970, Bowie re-recorded an old Deram track, "London Bye Ta-Ta", intended as a follow-up single to "Space Oddity". However, the same sessions spawned a new composition named "The Prettiest Star", which Bowie had written for Angela Barnett, reputedly playing it down the telephone as part of his proposal to her. It's in Greek "hassapiko" dance style, as a tribute to Angie's Cypriot ethnic origin. He also chose it as his next single, to the displeasure of manager Kenneth Pitt, who favoured "London Bye Ta-Ta". The track featured Marc Bolan on guitar, with whom Bowie would spend the next few years as a rival for the crown of the king of glam rock. Producer Tony Visconti, who brought the two aspiring pop stars together in the studio, recalled that the session went well until the end when Bolan's wife June remarked to Bowie, "Marc is too good for you, to be playing on this record!"Despite receiving good notices, the single reportedly sold fewer than 800 copies, a major disappointment on the back of the success of "Space Oddity". 


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Cold fire, you've got everything but cold fire
You will be my rest and peace, child
I moved up to take a place
Near you

So tired, it's the sky that makes you feel tried
It's a trick to make you see wide
It can all but break your heat
In pieces

Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past?
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
The prettiest star

One day, though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star

Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past?
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
The prettiest star

One day, though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star

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David Bowie

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known by his stage name David Bowie ( /ˈboʊ.i/ BOH-ee), was an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and considerable eclecticism of his work. more »

30 fans

Written by: DAVID BOWIE

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Information
"Prettiest Star" is a song from the album "Aladdin Sane," which was released in April 1973 by David Bowie.
Song Inspiration
Bowie wrote and dedicated "Prettiest Star" to his first wife Angela Barnett. He proposed to her in February 1969 and got married later in the same year.
Special Collaboration
Internationally acclaimed guitarist Marc Bolan played lead guitar in the original single version of "Prettiest Star."
Single Release
The song was originally released as a single in March 1970. However, it failed to chart which led to Bowie’s temporary retirement from the music industry to focus on studying art.
Independent Release
Despite the initial failure, the song was re-recorded and included in the album "Aladdin Sane." The album version is significantly different from the single version, featuring Mick Ronson's solo guitar rather than Bolan's.
Unique Format
"Prettiest Star" was one of the first popular music singles released in the UK in stereo format. Most singles in those days were released in mono for jukebox compatibility.
Song Theme
This beautiful ballad lyrically represents a love-struck Bowie serenading his beloved with his promises of stardom and impending fame.
Hidden Messages
Some Bowie fans claim that "Prettiest Star" actually prefigures, during its fade-out, the alien persona Bowie would soon adopt for his 1972 breakthrough album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars."
Music Composition
The song contains a memorable repeating melody, with Bowie's pronounced cockney accent standing out during the verses.
Noteworthy Covers
The song has been covered by many artists, including Seu Jorge in Portuguese for the soundtrack of "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," a 2004 film that is full of Bowie's songs translated into Portuguese.

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