"We had a few unique singer-songwriter types like Nick Drake, but when Bowie came out with Hunky Dory, I was in total shock. The album's impact was huge, recalls Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. The lyrics were rife with diverse imagery, including references to religion, philosophy, science-fiction and fame. Unlike Bowie's previous work, many of the songs on Hunky Dory were worked out on piano, which allowed him to bring in elements of classical, cabaret and other genres. Bowie also included tributes to Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. "Fill Your Heart" by neo-Vaudevillian musician Biff Rose received a loving cover treatment. In addition to several new compositions, Bowie laid down his own versions of "Andy Warhol," which was first recorded by Dana Gillespie, and "Oh! You Pretty Things," which Peter Noone had taken to No. They recorded the songs in the summer of 1971 at London's famed Trident studios. The album was co-produced by Ken Scott and Bowie himself. ![]() "He called me up and said would I like to go 'round to his house, Haddon Hall, in Beckenham, Kent, and I went up and he had a battered old 12-string guitar and he started playing me these songs, one after the other." Bowie recruited Wakeman, who'd played Mellotron on "Space Oddity," to back him, as well as Woody Woodmansey on drums, Trevor Bolder on bass and Mick Ronson on guitar. He returned to England with ideas to spare, recalls keyboardist Rick Wakeman. But Bowie nevertheless made his way to New York, and then on to California, where he did interviews and took in the sights. He also had the wrong kind of visa, which restricted his ability to perform. to promote his third studio album, The Man Who Sold the World, he was held in customs at Dulles airport owing to his long hair, maxi-coat, and chiffon scarf. When Mercury Records sent Bowie to the U.S. ![]() He tried side projects, collaborations and giving his songs away to other artists, such as Dana Gillespie and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits. song "Space Oddity" would turn out to be a one-hit wonder. His first three albums were commercial flops, and he was worried that his 1969 U.K. Since, our original posting we’ve heard from BIFF ROSE HIMSELF (I won’t lie – I’m a big fan of his 20th century output): “Biff Rose ( that’s me) wrote the wrods AND the music that go “Fill Your Heart with love toady…don’t play the game of time…then Biff ( me ) asked Paul Williams if he would like to finish putting a lyroc to the song…Paul did….First came the Beatles, then the Stones - but by 1971, the British invasion was already starting to fade and David Bowie was at a crossroads. ![]() You can hear Biff Rose’s performance here: (honestly, I was just listening to the tune and kept getting these little electric flashes. The lyrics read like a magical formula to me, one that perhaps would prove useful to many folks (INCLUDING ME!) right now. It was later covered by David Bowie on his Hunky Dory album. “Fill Your Heart” was written by Biff Rose with a little help on the lyrics from Paul Williams and recorded for Rose’s debut album, The Thorn In Mrs.
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