20 Iconic Bowie Hits That Shaped Music Culture
Few artists changed the sound and style of popular music as boldly as David Bowie.
Reinvention wasn’t a phase for him, it was a constant, and each new era brought a different look, mood, and musical direction.
His songs didn’t just climb charts, they shifted conversations about identity, art, and what a rock star could be. Decades later, those hits still influence artists across genres and generations.
Take a look at some of the biggest Bowie hits that left a significant mark on music.
Disclaimer: This list reflects editorial opinion and a particular view of cultural influence, not definitive fact or universal consensus about David Bowie’s most important songs.
1. Space Oddity (1969)
Picture this: astronaut Major Tom floating helplessly through the cosmos while ground control loses contact.
Bowie’s breakthrough single arrived just as humanity reached the moon, blending psychedelic folk with haunting pop melodies.
The song introduced listeners to Bowie’s theatrical storytelling style. Its dreamy production and existential lyrics made it an instant classic that still resonates today.
Major Tom became one of rock’s most memorable characters, returning in later songs throughout Bowie’s career.
2. Changes (1971)
Ever feel like life keeps throwing curveballs your way? Bowie captured that feeling perfectly with this piano-driven anthem about embracing transformation instead of fighting it.
“Turn and face the strange” became a rallying cry for anyone tired of staying stuck. The jazzy saxophone and bold vocal delivery made it impossible to ignore.
Artists across every genre still cite this track as inspiration for their own creative evolution.
3. Life on Mars? (1971)
What happens when you mix surreal poetry with orchestral grandeur? You get this baroque pop masterpiece that sounds like a movie soundtrack for a film that doesn’t exist.
Bowie’s vocal range soars through cryptic verses about a girl escaping reality through cinema. The lush string arrangements create an otherworldly atmosphere that pulls you into another dimension.
Critics often rank this among the greatest songs ever recorded, and honestly, they’re not wrong.
4. Starman (1972)
Imagine an alien rock star beaming messages of hope through your radio, that’s exactly what Bowie delivered with this glittering glam-rock gem.
The Ziggy Stardust persona exploded into public consciousness with this track’s irresistible chorus.
Kids across Britain watched Bowie’s legendary TV performance and felt their worlds shift. The song’s optimistic message about cosmic connection felt revolutionary for its time.
Guitar riffs sparkle like stardust while Bowie’s vocals promise something magical waiting beyond the stars.
5. Ziggy Stardust (1972)
Rock and roll suicide never sounded so electrifying! This gritty title track tells the tale of an alien rockstar who burns too bright and crashes spectacularly.
Bowie created an entire mythology around Ziggy, complete with apocalyptic backstory and theatrical live shows. The crunching guitars and urgent vocals capture the dangerous glamour of fame.
Glam rock reached its absolute peak with this anthem that influenced countless artists from punk to pop.
6. Suffragette City (1972)
Wham bam, thank you ma’am! This raucous rocker explodes with raw energy and cheeky attitude that makes you want to trash your bedroom in the best possible way.
Bowie channels pure rock and roll chaos with shouty vocals and pounding piano. The song became a concert favorite, with crowds screaming along to every rebellious line.
Its influence echoed through punk rock years later, proving Bowie was always ahead of the curve.
7. Jean Genie (1972)
Inspired by Iggy Pop’s wild lifestyle, this chugging rocker struts with dangerous confidence and blues-rock swagger. The instantly recognizable guitar riff became one of Bowie’s signature sounds.
Shot in a music video featuring Andy Warhol’s muse Cyrinda Foxe, the track oozed downtown New York coolness.
Bowie’s snarling vocals and provocative lyrics pushed boundaries while staying impossibly catchy.
8. Rebel Rebel (1974)
Got your mother in a whirl? This ultimate glam anthem celebrates gender-bending rebels with a guitar riff that could wake the dead.
The song captures glam rock’s spirit of beautiful defiance perfectly, equal parts punk attitude and pure lust.
Decades later, it remains the perfect soundtrack for anyone refusing to fit society’s boring boxes.
9. Diamond Dogs (1974)
Welcome to Halloween Jack’s dystopian nightmare city! Bowie crafted this apocalyptic rocker after losing rights to adapt George Orwell’s 1984 into a musical.
The theatrical storytelling combines with raw guitar work to paint vivid pictures of urban decay.
Bowie’s howling vocals and the song’s dark atmosphere influenced everyone from Nine Inch Nails to modern alt-rock.
The album’s concept created an entire world listeners could lose themselves in completely.
10. Young Americans (1975)
Bowie traded glitter boots for smooth soul grooves, stunning fans who expected more glam theatrics. This plastic soul experiment showcased his chameleon-like ability to master completely different genres.
Recorded in Philadelphia, the track pulses with authentic funk rhythms and Bowie’s most soulful vocals yet. Critics initially scratched their heads, but the song proved Bowie could conquer any musical territory.
11. Fame (1975)
Co-written with John Lennon during a wild studio session, this funky critique of celebrity culture became Bowie’s first American number-one hit. How’s that for irony?
The minimalist groove and falsetto vocals created something completely fresh for radio. Bowie channeled his frustrations with stardom into lyrics that warned about fame’s dark side.
The song’s influence on disco and funk remains undeniable, confirming Bowie could dominate any chart.
12. Golden Years (1975)
Shimmer and shine with this funky celebration that sounds like a disco ball came to life! Bowie’s transition into soul continued with this irresistibly groovy track from Station to Station.
The song’s sleek production and infectious hook made it impossible not to dance. Some say Bowie wrote it for Elvis Presley, though the King never recorded it.
Its retro-futuristic vibe perfectly captured mid-seventies cool while pointing toward Bowie’s next reinvention.
13. Sound and Vision (1977)
Wait for it… wait for it… Bowie makes you sit through nearly two minutes of instrumental bliss before his vocals finally arrive!
This experimental masterpiece from the Berlin trilogy defied every pop convention.
The song’s hypnotic rhythm and minimalist approach felt revolutionary. Bowie was literally telling listeners he needed a break from music while creating one of his most innovative tracks.
Producer Brian Eno’s influence shines through every synthesized note.
14. Heroes (1977)
“We can be heroes, just for one day.” Few lyrics in rock history carry such emotional weight and universal hope.
Recorded in Berlin near the Wall, the song tells of lovers defying impossible odds. Bowie’s vocals build from whisper to triumphant scream while guitars create walls of glorious noise.
The track became an anthem for dreamers worldwide, performed at concerts, protests, and celebrations across decades. Its message never gets old.
15. Ashes to Ashes (1980)
Bowie’s dark sequel to Space Oddity arrived with pioneering music video imagery that helped birth MTV.
The New Wave production sounds both futuristic and haunting. Bowie dressed as a Pierrot clown, creating unforgettable visuals that matched the song’s introspective darkness.
This track proved Bowie could reinvent not just himself but his own classic characters with stunning results.
16. Under Pressure (1981)
When Bowie met Queen in a recording studio, magic happened! That legendary bassline (later famously borrowed by Vanilla Ice) drives one of rock’s greatest collaborations.
Freddie Mercury and Bowie trade vocals about love and compassion in a world falling apart. The raw emotion in their performances gives you chills every single time.
Both artists pushed each other to vocal heights that defined what rock duets could achieve.
17. Let’s Dance (1983)
Produced by Nile Rodgers with guitar work by Stevie Ray Vaughan, this global smash introduced Bowie to MTV’s generation. The funky bassline makes your body move involuntarily!
Bowie reached superstar status all over again with this polished pop masterpiece.
The music video featured powerful imagery about racial inequality in Australia, showing how Bowie never abandoned substance for style.
18. China Girl (1983)
Originally written with Iggy Pop years earlier, Bowie reimagined this track as a sleek pop-rock gem for the eighties. The controversial music video sparked discussions about cultural representation and desire.
Beneath the catchy surface lies commentary on Western attitudes toward Eastern cultures. Bowie’s vocal delivery balances tenderness with an edge that keeps things interesting.
19. Modern Love (1983)
Horns blast, guitars crunch, and Bowie delivers clever lines about faith and romance with infectious joy! This track marries 1950s rock inspiration with pristine eighties production.
The song became a concert staple, with audiences singing along to every word. Bowie somehow made cynicism about modern relationships sound absolutely celebratory.
Its timeless energy explains why it still gets played at parties and on radio stations worldwide decades later.
20. Lazarus (2015)
“Look up here, I’m in heaven.” Recorded while Bowie faced his final battle with cancer, this haunting farewell feels like a message from beyond.
The jazz-infused production creates an eerie atmosphere while Bowie’s vocals carry profound weight. Released just days before his death, the song and its video became his artistic goodbye.
Fans worldwide wept recognizing the beauty and bravery of Bowie’s final creative statement. He left us with grace.
