David Bowie was a prolific songwriter and performer, known for his eclectic and innovative approach to music. Over the course of his career, he wrote and recorded many memorable songs, collaborating with a wide range of artists and musicians. One of the lesser-known stories about David Bowie’s career is his connection to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
While Bowie never wrote a song specifically for Elvis, he did record a song that was originally intended for the legendary performer. The song in question is “Golden Years,” which Bowie wrote and recorded in 1975. According to legend, Bowie wrote the song with Elvis in mind, hoping that the King would record it and take it to the top of the charts.
Unfortunately, Elvis never had the opportunity to record “Golden Years.” At the time Bowie wrote the song, Presley was struggling with his health and his career, and he would pass away just two years later, in 1977. While it’s unclear whether Presley was ever aware of Bowie’s song or had any interest in recording it, the story of Bowie’s connection to the King of Rock and Roll has become a fascinating footnote in the history of popular music.
Despite the fact that “Golden Years” was never recorded by Elvis, the song went on to become one of Bowie’s biggest hits. It was released as a single in late 1975, and quickly climbed the charts, reaching number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s funky rhythm and catchy chorus made it an instant classic, and it remains one of Bowie’s most popular and beloved songs to this day.
While “Golden Years” may have been written with Elvis in mind, it was ultimately Bowie’s own unique style and vision that brought the song to life. Bowie’s ability to blend different musical styles and genres, from funk and soul to rock and pop, helped to make “Golden Years” a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today.
In addition to “Golden Years,” Bowie also had other connections to Elvis over the course of his career. One of the most notable examples is his appearance in the 1976 film “The Man Who Fell to Earth,” in which he played an alien who takes on the persona of a human entrepreneur. The film was directed by Nicolas Roeg, who had previously directed Elvis in the 1960 film “G.I. Blues.”
Bowie’s connection to Elvis is just one example of the many ways in which he was influenced and inspired by the musicians who came before him. Throughout his career, Bowie drew on a wide range of musical styles and genres, from the glam rock of his Ziggy Stardust persona to the electronic experimentation of his later albums.
While he may not have written a song specifically for Elvis, Bowie’s music and career were deeply influenced by the King of Rock and Roll, as well as by many other musical legends of the past. His ability to take these influences and turn them into something new and innovative helped to establish him as one of the most important and influential musicians of his time, and his music continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world today.
In conclusion, while David Bowie did not write a song specifically for Elvis, he did record “Golden Years,” a song that he had originally written with the King of Rock and Roll in mind. While Elvis never had the chance to record the song himself, Bowie’s unique style and vision helped to make it a classic that still resonates with audiences today. Bowie’s connection to Elvis is just one example of the many ways in which he was influenced and inspired by the musicians who came before him, and his ability to blend these influences into something new and innovative helped to establish him as one of the most important and influential musicians of his time.
Read related articles from link below:
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/david-bowie-song-for-elvis-presley-golden-years/
https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1495446/david-bowie-elvis-presley-golden-years