Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed
"Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" is a song by English musician David Bowie, released on his 1969 album David Bowie. It was one of the first songs produced by Tony Visconti.[2][3]
| "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" | |
|---|---|
| Song by David Bowie | |
| from the album David Bowie (Space Oddity) | |
| Released | 14 November 1969 |
| Recorded | Late August – 16 September 1969[1] |
| Studio | Trident, London |
| Length | 6:13 |
| Label | Philips |
| Songwriter(s) | David Bowie |
| Producer(s) | Tony Visconti |
| David Bowie (Space Oddity) track listing | |
10 tracks
| |
Inspiration
In July 1969, Bowie performed at the Maltese Music Festival while his father became sick and later died. The feel of the song was meant to show Bowie's feelings after his father's death.[4]
The song also seems to be about social structure, as the girl in the song is very wealthy compared to the narrator. Bowie said that the song was written because he got "funny stares" from people.[4]
Song structure
The song opens with acoustic Asus2 and D9 chords. This repeats until the song enters the main structure, a new beat with guitars and harmonica.[4] This part of the song mainly switches between C and F, but occasionally uses other chords as well.[5] After the lyrics finish, the music continues for about two minutes before ending.[4]
Review after "Blackstar"
After the release of "Blackstar" and the death of David Bowie, several lists were created that cited "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" as an important song in Bowie's history. Rolling Stone says that the song is "pretty unremarkable except for one thing: It's the first Tony Visconti-produced David Bowie track the world ever heard."[2] Hillary E. Crawford shares this opinion, only including it because "This track, which immediately follows "Space Oddity," was the first to be produced by Tony Visconti, the man who also produced Bowie's last album Blackstar."[3]
Personnel
According to Chris O'Leary:[1]
- David Bowie – lead vocal
- Keith Christmas – 12-string acoustic guitar
- Mick Wayne – lead guitar
- Tim Renwick – rhythm guitar
- John Lodge – bass
- John Cambridge – drums
- Benny Marshall – harmonica
- Unknown musicians – saxophones, trumpets
- Tony Visconti – producer
References
- O'Leary 2015, chap. 3.
- "10 David Bowie Songs That Paved the Way for 'Blackstar'". Rolling Stone. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- Crawford, Hillary E. "12 Stunning David Bowie Songs That, Like The Man Himself, Will Never Be Forgotten". Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed". Pushing Ahead of the Dame. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- "Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed". Retrieved 2016-12-10.
Sources
- O'Leary, Chris (2015). Rebel Rebel: All the Songs of David Bowie from '64 to '76. Winchester: Zero Books. ISBN 978-1-78099-244-0.