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David Bowie — Ziggy Stardust (live)
Album: Live at L'Olympia - Paris
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2256









Released: 2002
Length: 3:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Oh

Oh, yeah

Ziggy played guitar
Jamming good with Weird and Gilly
And the Spiders from Mars
He played it left hand
But made it too far
Became the special man
Then we were Ziggy's band

Ziggy really sang
Screwed-up eyes and screwed-down hairdo
Like some cat from Japan
He could lick 'em by smiling
He could leave 'em to hang
They came on so loaded, man
Well-hung and snow-white tan

So where were the spiders
While the fly tried to break our bones?
With just the beer light to guide us
So we bitched about his fans
And should we crush his sweet hands?
Oh

Mm-hmm

Ziggy played for time
Jiving us that we were voodoo
The kids were just crass
He was the nazz
With God-given ass
He took it all too far
But, boy, could he play guitar

Making love with his ego
Ziggy sucked up into his mind, ah
Like a leper messiah
When the kids had killed the man
I had to break up the band

Oh, yeah

Ooh

Ziggy played guitar
Comments (198)add comment
Why did it take the audience so long to recognise the song... oh, they're French, say no more!!!
Posted 5 months ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
i wonder if it was fun singing a song about himself. even tongue in cheek, as bowie did so well.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
In the cold light of day, live recordings often don't sound as good as you'd hoped, but many of DB's seem to buck this trend. This is electrifying. 
Posted 1 year ago by planet_lizard    [ Reply ]
What a fucking voice! What great talent, vision, execution and style. What an amazing human being! Rest in peace good sir and thank you for all of your wonderful, creative genius.
Posted 2 years ago by amcostigan88    [ Reply ]
So blessed to see him live once.
Posted 2 years ago by keddyjo.talula    [ Reply ]
Love ist!
Posted 2 years ago by krautundruebchen    [ Reply ]
 Canuck_LC wrote:
Like some cat from Japan



Ok, now do Well-hung and snow-white tan
Posted 2 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 Canuck_LC wrote:
Like some cat from Japan


Or Maru
Posted 2 years ago by jpfueler    [ Reply ]
Live versions can be awesome, but in this case I think it's not very well recorded and mixed. So in this case I'd prefer the studio version.
Posted 2 years ago by huib    [ Reply ]
is elon musk related to david bowie there is a slight similarity i see in the david bowie wiki portrait. LOL maybe tinged by this song?
Posted 3 years ago by mikedgreene    [ Reply ]
More, please.
Posted 4 years ago by jonathansteven    [ Reply ]
Come on Bill; I need to get some work done! This takes me back to the Bowie concerts I attended.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
ugh. I like Bowie — but only as a friend now.
I’m kinda done hearing this song/version and needit to goway for a while. 
Please&Stankyou
Posted 4 years ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
I love this version of Ziggy Stardust!! Where can I find a copy of this song, searched unsuccessfully around YouTube....

Found it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW-_FQb33TE 
Note: the album should be labeled "Stage"
Posted 4 years ago by ksua    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:

I just wish I had some ass!
 
Yes, to help pull my cart around.
Posted 4 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
 jukes1 wrote:
Love this song, but not this live version.
 

but compare how he sings the last line in this cut to any other
it's phenomenal!
Posted 4 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
Love this song, but not this live version.
Posted 4 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Weird and Gilly...God I miss Bowie!
Posted 4 years ago by Jolouis    [ Reply ]
Great album. Saw him in 77, and this is pretty close to the same band with him. Out of this world.
Posted 4 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
Wow, haven't heard this before. What a performance. I think I like this better than the original!
Posted 5 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Bowie was really something. Miss him!
Posted 5 years ago by mach-hog    [ Reply ]
My favorite version!
Posted 5 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 isayhoomhom wrote:
I wish I had God-given ass.
 
I just wish I had some ass!
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
I thought Mick Ronson played guitar in his band!

Mick Ronson stopped playing with Bowie after the Spiders era. His mainstays after MR were Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick.

 

Posted 5 years ago by velvette    [ Reply ]
This was the first Bowie tour of many I was privileged enough to see. I was already a fan but seeing him looming Godlike up there on the stage left such an indelible impression that I set off immediately to the the next tour stop to take it all in one more time! 
Posted 5 years ago by Slickamoe    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
Sadly the mix on this is bad. You can not hear the guitar! That is friggin Adrian Belew on this tour. The guitar, especially on this number, should be way out front
 
No one is "out front" of David Bowie.
Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Sadly the mix on this is bad. You can not hear the guitar! That is friggin Adrian Belew on this tour. The guitar, especially on this number, should be way out front
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
I thought Mick Ronson played guitar in his band!


Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 yougivememosi wrote:
What always confused me about this song is if ziggy played the guitar or not. Any fan theories?
 
I'm pretty sure he played the triangle.
Can't find any mention of him playing guitar whatsoever. 
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
What always confused me about this song is if ziggy played the guitar or not. Any fan theories?
Posted 6 years ago by yougivememosi    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:
Is this "The Cat from Japan" he was referring to?

Ichiro Suzuki Net Worth


Hmm. Assuming this was a serious question. "Ziggy Stardust" dropped in 1972. Ichiro was born in 1973. Still, sorta looks like Ziggy might, yes? 

Posted 6 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
The last 3 tracks: 3 members of The Travelling Wilburys who are no longer with us. You do tributes masterfully, Bill.
Posted 6 years ago by kersik    [ Reply ]
GREAT VERSION !
Posted 6 years ago by TRC    [ Reply ]
for me, it's his ending vocals ("...and Ziggy plaaaaaaaaaaayed...guitaaaaaaaaaa-aaaaar")
what a singer, what a voice
funny he didn't end the song like that in the original recording
Posted 6 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
Is this "The Cat from Japan" he was referring to?

Ichiro Suzuki Net Worth
Posted 7 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
That keyboard player needs a real talking to.  Horrendous version of a stupendous original work.

 
Roger Powell was pretty brilliant at times with Todd & Utopia, and I'd hoped he'd be the next Prog Rock legend. Nope. He actually gave up on music and went back to nerd stuff. Made some good tunes, and I sat near him a few years ago when Todd did AWATS start to finish. It was the first show without Powell, and he sat in the audience and gently conducted to himself, he was so familiar with the show. 

But, on this record, he was a bit out of place, as was Simon House (Hawkwind). I saw this tour and it was just great to see Bowie, Belew, Powell, etc all up there at once. 
Posted 7 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
GREAT live version! {#Hearteyes}
Posted 7 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
Great artist, album, song. Saw him live in 77. Wow.
Posted 7 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
I'm so thankful that David Bowie performed during the audio recording age. RIP, sir. :,-)
Posted 7 years ago by CrispyDruid    [ Reply ]
wow! back-to-back live Roy Orbison & David Bowie!
It's a rock-n-roll Friday night!!!! 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
That keyboard player needs a real talking to.  Horrendous version of a stupendous original work.

 
It was 1970 something - mellotrons were a big thing - comparing a musicians sound choices to what you now know and hear 40 years later is ridiculous
dude...have another white russian {#Yes}
Posted 8 years ago by below72    [ Reply ]
For a live song it has a nice balance. thanks bill..
Posted 8 years ago by parttime    [ Reply ]
{#Crown}
Posted 8 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
Yes. It was from Stage.  Hold that note David.


 On_The_Beach wrote:
 blackaddermrbean wrote:
bowie has taken a bunch of his bootlegs and published them the last decade. The 2002 marks the official release of the recording.

"Stage" was officially released by RCA in 1978.
So was this track not from "Stage"?

 

Posted 9 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
That keyboard player needs a real talking to.  Horrendous version of a stupendous original work.
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 blackaddermrbean wrote:
bowie has taken a bunch of his bootlegs and published them the last decade. The 2002 marks the official release of the recording.

"Stage" was officially released by RCA in 1978.
So was this track not from "Stage"?
Posted 9 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
I've been listening to this record 4 almost 40 years now. This ain't from 2002 this is from David livefrom the Diamond Dogs tour in the early seventies
.
 
bowie has taken a bunch of his bootlegs and published them the last decade. The 2002 marks the official release of the recording.
Posted 9 years ago by blackaddermrbean    [ Reply ]
I've been listening to this record 4 almost 40 years now. This ain't from 2002 this is from David livefrom the Diamond Dogs tour in the early seventies
.
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
If there is anywhere a person or a band who really really MUST do at least one more big tour, this is the person and his band is the band.
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
So where EXACTLY were The Spiders, anyway?
Posted 10 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 Canuck_LC wrote:
Like some cat from Japan


 
that's funny
Posted 10 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
I would rather hear squeal barf out cowpies..............

 
sorry oldfart, what or who is squeal? 
Posted 10 years ago by veloman    [ Reply ]
just shows what a difference a studio producer can make. This version just isnt incisive, very muddy, whereas the studio version really kicks 
Posted 10 years ago by veloman    [ Reply ]
Toke wrote:
WOT A LOAD OF ****** MINUS TEN
   
aelfheld wrote:

But enough about your IQ . . .


 
H8rhater approves of this post.
Posted 10 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
Love this song, but not this version of it.
Posted 11 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Right on.  
Posted 11 years ago by hencini    [ Reply ]
{#Stop}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 kdarwish wrote:
Hmmm... somehow the album version more visceral(?), moving, but anyway a Bowie classic.

 
long live Ronno...
Posted 11 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
I would rather hear squeal barf out cowpies..............
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Hmmm... somehow the album version more visceral(?), moving, but anyway a Bowie classic.
Posted 11 years ago by kdarwish    [ Reply ]
I'm giving it an 8...just because of the comments.  ....balled eagle....sooo funny

Posted 11 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Like some cat from Japan

Posted 11 years ago by Canuck_LC    [ Reply ]
Ladies and gentlemen, live no autotune, that is HOW IT IS DONE!
Posted 12 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
From Midnight Oil to David Bowie, from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Posted 12 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

Wrong. The lyric is actually: "Making love with his ego..."
 
Ziggy sucked up into his mind.
Like a leper messiah
When the kids had killed the man
I had to break up the band.

Been singing along with this masterpiece (and only vaguely understanding the words {#Angel} for over 30 years.


Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:
Really? Because I always thought it was a case study in kick ass guitar riffs and a primped-up, puffy-chested rock manifestation. Shouldn't the song be a mess? Not sure how you separate personality AND performance. Aren't the two part and parcel to the stage ethos of Ziggy the imaginary character?
 
Well said.  I "get it" too. 

Posted 13 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
You are going to be a blackballed beagle pretty soon...

 Businessgypsy wrote:
jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
Surely you've heard of a balled eagle.

 


Posted 13 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 Sasha2001 wrote:

Really? Because I always thought it was a case study in kick ass guitar riffs and a primped-up, puffy-chested rock manifestation. Shouldn't the song be a mess? Not sure how you separate personality AND performance. Aren't the two part and parcel to the stage ethos of Ziggy the imaginary character?

 

{#Yes} I agree 100 % .
PS Do you want me to bring you up some lox?
Posted 13 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
 Art_Carnage wrote:
This has always been a real mess of a song. The lyrics rhyme randomly, the melody derails itself at bizarre intervals. It's a case study in personality over performance.
 
Really? Because I always thought it was a case study in kick ass guitar riffs and a primped-up, puffy-chested rock manifestation. Shouldn't the song be a mess? Not sure how you separate personality AND performance. Aren't the two part and parcel to the stage ethos of Ziggy the imaginary character?

Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:
WOT A LOAD OF ****** MINUS TEN
 
But enough about your IQ . . .

Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Love the live stuff!
Posted 13 years ago by ksua    [ Reply ]
 Toke wrote:
WOT A LOAD OF ****** MINUS TEN
 
I beg to differ, Mr. Toke, and sentence thee to a 1-week stint walking around in this nut-hugging jump suit.



Posted 13 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Very nice version. Ziggy was my first album purchase......David was in a dream I had last night, VERY nice dream.
Thanks Bill 
Posted 13 years ago by Tamster    [ Reply ]
WOT A LOAD OF ****** MINUS TEN
Posted 13 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

Wrong. The lyric is actually: "Making love with his ego..."
 

You are right, of course.  On the other hand, I do believe jademon doth wax ironical.

Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
Surely you've heard of a balled eagle.

 
Just had to bump this up.too funny

Posted 13 years ago by Bakaretsu    [ Reply ]
Soo good !  David,one of the coolest Super Stars !
Posted 14 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
..terrific album, anyway...
Posted 14 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
 isayhoomhom wrote:
I wish I had God-given ass.
 

....and I 'well-hung'...!! {#Yes}
Posted 14 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
{#Frustrated}     {#Puke}
Posted 14 years ago by Kaleka    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:

Wrong. The lyric is actually: "Making love with his ego..."
 
Eagle... Ego... Either way, this is not the best Bowie (although it's certainly one of the most amusing incarnations.) I'm betting he was doing some very interesting drugs while he was Ziggy.

I never got into the early Bowie stuff. Not saying it wasn't good - and maybe it wasn't - just saying that my ears tilted forward when I heard "Heroes," and some of the weird stuff from the soundtrack of that movie where he was Jareth, the Goblin King.

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
This has always been a real mess of a song. The lyrics rhyme randomly, the melody derails itself at bizarre intervals. It's a case study in personality over performance.
Posted 14 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
Surely you've heard of a balled eagle.

 
An hilarious groaner, worthy of Mr. Peabody.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
 SCprof wrote:
I saw a really old and very cool interview with Bowie in which he talks about this song, that it's about Hendrix, and his reasons/inspiration for writing it. One more reason to love it.
 
I've never heard that.  It's consistent with several internal references, such as "he played it left hand" and "voodoo," but I always heard that Vince Taylor was the primary inspiration for Ziggy.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
I wish I had God-given ass.
Posted 14 years ago by isayhoomhom    [ Reply ]
One of the best male voices in pop.

His duet with Tina Turner is my fav.

Say Bill: I never heard you play Tina? ;(
Posted 14 years ago by Albert1967    [ Reply ]
jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
Surely you've heard of a balled eagle.

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
 
Cause he was feeling so lonely...

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
There's something to be said for a studio.
 

You can say that again!  it's bad enough when another artist tarnishes your legacy.  It's something else again when you tarnish it yourself! 

David...ye should be embarrassed, mate.   This really blows!


Posted 14 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
There's something to be said for a studio.
 
totally agree...that said, this live version is passionate and his voice is as solid as any live performance I have ever heard from him...good vibe.

Posted 14 years ago by azdcryan    [ Reply ]
I LOVE this live version!!
Posted 14 years ago by peyotecoyote    [ Reply ]
There's something to be said for a studio.
Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
He seems to be saying "kiitos" in Finnish at the end, meaning "thank you"...gee, I was there!!
Posted 15 years ago by spij    [ Reply ]
 jademon wrote:
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
 
Wrong. The lyric is actually: "Making love with his ego..."
Posted 15 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
{#Yell}   Amp at 11  !

Posted 15 years ago by HazzeSwede    [ Reply ]
I was amazed this was live. He sang very well for a live show
Posted 15 years ago by AdyMiles    [ Reply ]
Why was Ziggy "Making love with his eagle"?
Posted 15 years ago by jademon    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

You don't like songs from Ziggy or Heroes performed live, with David in great voice.............you are not a fan.

 
That is a pretty silly comment

I love Bowie, but this song doesn't really do it for me either.  I would definitely consider myself a fan, and I think that is all that really matters.

Posted 15 years ago by GChevy410    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:
Just listen to him hold those notes at the end. Now Ziggy Plaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyeeeedddd. Guitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar. The 31 year old David was at the top of his form. The 50 year old was still damned great.
 
I waited to the end to hear those notes and I was not disappointed. I tip my hat to you sir. No question, Bowie is one of the most interesting figures in Rock music.
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
Although I'm a fan, I didn't care for this LP then, nor do I care for any of the music from it now.
 
You don't like songs from Ziggy or Heroes performed live, with David in great voice.............you are not a fan.

Posted 15 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Although I'm a fan, I didn't care for this LP then, nor do I care for any of the music from it now.
Posted 16 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I prefer "Shakin Stevens"
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mine (live acoustic) David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust (live)
Posted 16 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
Great version - not as good as the bootleg I have - recorded very early Seventies! Bowie stills rocks!
Posted 16 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
Synthesized strings - this was recorded after Heroes and before Scary Monsters. The setlist was mostly Ziggy, Low and Heroes. thewiseking wrote:
are those strings?? on ziggy?? ok for heroes, not ziggy. ziggy was a rock star ferchrissakes.
Posted 17 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
That is correct sir jeffersonpump wrote:
did he say he was well hung, with a snow white tan? just checking.
Posted 17 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Just listen to him hold those notes at the end. Now Ziggy Plaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyeeeedddd. Guitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar. The 31 year old David was at the top of his form. The 50 year old was still damned great.
Posted 17 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
and when he sang "so where were the spiders", a small spider hauled ass across my pad of paper. heh.
Posted 17 years ago by araujokrl    [ Reply ]
Diamond_Dog wrote:
I must truly agree, this is the best of the best of David Live!
Yes, but when oh when will Bowie release a decently mastered version of the CD?
Posted 17 years ago by gopre    [ Reply ]
A fine classic. Worth also checking out Bauhaus's reverential cover of this.
Posted 17 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
mrrmt wrote:
love it. love it. LOVE IT!
I must truly agree, this is the best of the best of David Live!
Posted 17 years ago by Diamond_Dog    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
Funny! (and nerdy! - NTTAWWT!)
NTTAWWT - Nothing Taught this Afternoon With Wobbly Tremors?
Posted 17 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
love it. love it. LOVE IT!
Posted 17 years ago by mrrmt    [ Reply ]
I'd like to see the Bauhaus version on RP. Anyone got it?
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
jeffersonpump wrote:
did he say he was well hung, with a snow white tan? just checking.
Yes.
Posted 17 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
Govi wrote:
Can you say "unpropitious portentous pretense" 5 times correctly?
Will get back to you after a spell check.
Posted 17 years ago by maxmox    [ Reply ]
Now we're talking! Thank you RP!
Posted 17 years ago by Diamond_Dog    [ Reply ]
Govi wrote:
Can you say "unpropitious portentous pretense" 5 times correctly?
Can you say "All of rock n' roll in the 70s"? Get over it already and enjoy the song.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
did he say he was well hung, with a snow white tan? just checking.
Posted 17 years ago by jeffersonpump    [ Reply ]