Released 56 years ago this November
The Man Who Sold the World
David Bowie · 1970
53 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A daring fusion of hard rock and avant-garde sensibilities that probes identity and existential themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Width of a Circle Start here — This opening track establishes the album's raw energy with heavy guitar riffs and sets a tone of sexual and existential exploration that permeates the record.
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All the Madmen — With its haunting narrative about mental illness and societal rejection, this song challenges listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about sanity and conformity.
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The Man Who Sold the World — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of identity crisis and alienation, becoming one of Bowie's most enduring songs through its introspective lyrics and haunting melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Bowie's blend of glam rock and avant-garde elements creates a distinctive sound that remains influential.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving rhythm on 'The Width of a Circle' and maintains an aggressive tempo through the first half, before shifting to more introspective tracks like 'After All'.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar work and complex arrangements, particularly evident in 'Saviour Machine' and 'The Supermen', which incorporate both rock and avant-garde elements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies with provocative themes
- cathartic exploration of identity
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- immersive journey through surrealism
- late-night introspection and contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Bowie's shift towards bold experimentation, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- identity crisis· alienation in London· mental health struggles
- Career context
- Released in November 1970, The Man Who Sold the World was David Bowie's third studio album, coming after his self-titled debut and the more pop-oriented Space Oddity. At this point in his career, Bowie was exploring darker themes and heavier sounds, setting the stage for his eventual rise as a glam rock icon. This album marked a significant shift towards a more complex artistic identity that would define much of his future work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brian Eno· Roxy Music· Talking Heads
Tracklist
- 1 The Width of a Circle Start here 8:10
- 2 All the Madmen 5:41
- 3 Black Country Rock 3:36
- 4 After All 3:55
- 5 Running Gun Blues 3:15
- 6 Saviour Machine 4:29
- 7 She Shook Me Cold 4:16
- 8 The Man Who Sold the World 3:58
- 9 The Supermen 3:44
- 10 Lightning Frightening 3:41
- 11 Holy Holy 2:23
- 12 Moonage Daydream 3:54
- 13 Hang On to Yourself 2:53
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Transformer
Lou Reed
Explores themes of identity and alienation with a glam rock flair and experimental production.
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Shares a similar glam rock aesthetic and haunting melodies, reflecting on identity and self-expression.
Here Come the Warm Jets
Brian Eno
Combines avant-garde sensibilities with introspective lyrics and lush soundscapes, echoing Bowie's sonic experimentation.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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