David Bowie lived a life that imitates art. Even in his death, he exited in the most stunning, graceful way with his last album entitled Blackstar. During a decades-spanning career that transcended genres and generations, Bowie left behind 20 studio albums, a dozen of singles and billions of people whose hearts are in pieces.

The otherworldly mortal is gone but his music lives on. We've selected essential David Bowie songs to commemorate the greatest music, fashion, film and art icon that ever lived.

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Golden Years

"Station to Station" is the album that proved Bowie knows no genres. It was a class act funk of a release but it was the song "Golden Years" that truly made a mark, a very strong one enough to have him perform on the Soul Train. It's a funk done in David's way-the slick guitar riffs, r&b inspired groove, a poppy bass and even a hint of blues harmonica underlay. Still a song that drives everyone to the dance floor.


Under Pressure

For others completely unfamiliar with the brilliant man's work, Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" possess as infectious beat that's got everyone on the floor. It's in fact a sample off Bowie's hit with Queen entitled "Under Pressure". This song continues to be one of the finest collaborations rock has ever seen. Try and listen to the strip back version of it and their voices are enough to stomp on all of today's auto tunes.


Space Oddity

An essential David Bowie list without "Space Oddity" is like building a house without a roof. It's what put the chameleon of music on the map with no less than the perfect marriage of electronic sound and crisp acoustic. It really strikes a chord on anyone who gives it a listen. To this day, it continues to be reinvented and covered by countless artists, and with good reason.

Life on Mars

If there's anything Ziggy Stardust has taught us, it's to embrace the odd and the peculiar. "Life on Mars" is the perfect embodiment of Bowie's unpredictability, alien-like presence and disorienting prowess. The song is easily the most Bowie of all Bowie songs with lyrics that continue to make people scratch their heads in delight and bewilderment. "It's on America's tortured brow/That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow". Bowie and only Bowie gets away with that.

Heroes

The song is six minutes long but you'd wish it would go on forever. "Heroes" overshadows the first few songs in the album for a number of reasons. It's a showcase of Bowie's powerful vocals. Its anthemic style hints at WWII references in the most moving way. Truly, it's an opera-epic-love song unlike any other. It's been covered many times but none ever captured the same spirit as Bowie did.

Changes

If you ever wish to take Bowie, wrap in a box and deliver them to someone to finally understand what this beguiling man's character is all about, then consider listening to this song. In "Changes", the singer upholds the compulsive need of constantly reinventing oneself. Bowie never thought it was going to be such a hit, it became the most requested song during his concerts. Who wouldn't ch-ch-ch-ch-cherish it, right?

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David Bowie