David Bowie Space Oddity – It Ain’t Easy (1973 Japan) estimated value € 80,00

"Space Oddity"is a song written and recorded by David Bowie. It was first released as a 7-inch single on 11 July 1969. It was also the opening track of his second studio album, David Bowie. It became one of Bowie's signature songs and one of three of his songs to be included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll:

Tracklist

Side A. Space Oddity 5:05

Music/Text: David Bowie, Bowie
Producer: Gus Dudgeon, Tony Visconti

side B. It Ain't Easy 2:58

Cover version : Ron Davies
Music/Text: Ron Davies
Producer: Ken Scott

Description

Media & Sleeve Condition

Media: Near Mint (NM)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+++)
ring wear: NO
All three seams looking perfect: YES
Picture sleeve looks near mint: YES
creases or folds: NO
stamps or writing: NO

 

 

Key Details

Album: Opening track of the album David Bowie (1969), later retitled Space Oddity.
About: The song is about the fictional astronaut Major Tom. Released around the Apollo 11 moon landing, it became one of Bowie's signature tracks and his first UK No. 1 single (1975 re-release).
Legacy: Bowie revisited Major Tom in "Ashes to Ashes", "Hallo Spaceboy", and the "Blackstar" video. Chris Hadfield famously performed it in space in 2013.

Recording and Release

Three main studio versions exist: early version (Feb 1969), album version (June 1969), and 1979 re-recording.
Early version recorded for promotional film Love You Till Tuesday (available 1984).
Album version recorded at Trident Studios, with overdubs, featuring Rick Wakeman (Mellotron), Mick Wayne (guitar), Herbie Flowers (bass), and Terry Cox (drums).
Produced by Gus Dudgeon; Tony Visconti declined production of this track.

Personnel

David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar (12 strings), Stylophone
Mick Wayne – lead guitar
Herbie Flowers – bass guitar
Terry Cox – drums
Paul Buckmaster – string arrangement
Tony Visconti – flutes, woodwinds
Rick Wakeman – Mellotron
Technical – Gus Dudgeon, record production

Instrumentation

Famous for Stylophone usage, acoustic guitar, and orchestral string arrangements. Bowie performed the Stylophone himself.

Release History

Original UK single: July 11, 1969.
Re-releases: 1973 US single, 1975 UK maxi-single (first UK No. 1), digital EP in 2009 (40th anniversary).
International impact: Top 5 UK on first release, first US hit single, later popularized globally.