David Bowie covers are a dime-a-dozen, but only a few float high above the world. Ahead of this weekend’s Bowie tribute concert at the Jalopy Theatre, we compiled a list of some of the most memorable takes on his otherworldly catalogue:
“Man Who Sold the World” by Nirvana, 1993
Nirvana’s stripped-down acoustic cover of the 1970 song, recorded just months before Cobain’s death, introduced Bowie’s work to a generation of kids watching Music Television’s “Unplugged.”
“Let’s Dance” by M. Ward, 2003
Folk singer M. Ward scored one of his biggest hits with by putting a charming, acoustic touch on the dance hit.
“Heroes” by Aphex Twin, 2003
Not a cover, but a remix of a remix. Aphex Twin spins a version of composer Phillip Glass’s minimalist take on Bowie’s 1977 anthem, which often threatens to swirl out of control.
“Space Oddity” by Chris Hadfield, 2013
Astronaut Chris Hadfield created one of the most appropriate covers of all time while floating in a tin can — the first music video ever recorded in space. The video has racked up more than seven million YouTube views, which makes sense — it is out of this world.
“Bowie’s in Space” by Flight of the Conchords, 2012
“Rebel Rebel” by Bruce Springsteen, 2016
The Boss paid tribute to Bowie with a rousing rendition of “Rebel Rebel,” the most covered song in Bowie’s catalogue.
