David Bowie Ranked by mjp11 
Recently finished listening to David Bowie's entire discography. This was a really fun experience and one I've been meaning to do for a while. I've always said that Bowie is one of my favorite artists but it felt a little hypocritical having only listened to his "best" albums. Now I've experienced the full scope of his music and can confidently say David Bowie is one of the most interesting and exciting artists of all time. Even his weaker albums were stepping stones to something greater. There were so many amazing songs and ideas that blew me away. I was missing out on so much. My only wish now was that there were more albums for me to listen to.
Most of this list is based off of my first impressions. It is in no way definitive and will change as I go back and relisten to these records. I've tried to make note of which albums I have listened to multiple times and which ones are new for me.
- Chart updated: 12/21/2024 21:45
- (Created: 04/24/2022 22:41).
- Chart size: 28 albums.
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My first Bowie album. I know, how cliche. Whether I'm biased because of that, who knows. In the end, this is the album I always return to. I love the story being told, the drama, and emotions. It's not just one of the greatest concept albums of all time, its one of the best albums full-stop. I do wonder, if I had started with a different album, would this still be my favorite? Then I remember Five Years, Moonage Daydream, Starman, Lady Stardust, the title track, Suffragette City, Rock'n'Roll Suicide... Yeah this is an easy number 1 for me.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1972
Appears in:
Rank Score:
46,533
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301
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A difficult album to listen to, one I'm honestly rarely in the mood for. The impact and emotion behind this album's release was unlike anything I've experienced as a music fan. I'm glad I listened to some of his music before his death (Ziggy and Hunky Dory) but I had only just begun. Blackstar was my third Bowie album so I only had a limited knowledge of his sound. Now, after going back and listening to his entire discography I wish I had done so years ago. I wish I had experienced Bowie's final album for the first time having truly listened and experienced how his sound had evolved throughout his lifetime. Blackstar was amazing even with only a few of his albums under my belt. It became more and more apparent as I listened to his full discography just how special this album is. Dark, otherworldly, grim, nostalgic, hopeful, mournful; so many sounds mixed in with Bowie's ruminations on fate, fame, life, and death.
Blackstar is an incredible conclusion to a diverse and unpredictable discography. Listening to Bowie's releases in order really enhanced this one. Obviously I loved it already, as it's always been in my top three (to be fair it was the third one I ever listened to). This time, it hit even harder. I could see the hints of this sound throughout his 90s and 2000s albums, especially Outside and Heathens. I love those albums, based on my first listen, but this is on another level. If I have one note, it's that Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) isn't really my vibe. It fits with the sound and mood of the album but its so grim and sinister. Don't get me wrong, it's good and doesn't really impact my overall feelings on the album. Given the subject and lyrics, it's appropriately uncomfortable. That said, the highs of this album are insane. The title track, Lazarus, Dollar Days, and I Can't Give Everything Away, move me beyond words. That's over half the album right there! Both this and Low have the best flow of Bowie's albums, the latter even more so. What really sets this apart from Low is the lyrics and instrumentation. I haven't praised the instrumentation nearly enough but seeing as I've already written two paragraphs, I'll just say that it's fantastic. The jazz musicians working with Bowie here, as well as his long-time producer Tony Visconti absolutely killed it. One of the best sounding albums of all time. I can't think of a greater final statement by an artist. [First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Blackstar is an incredible conclusion to a diverse and unpredictable discography. Listening to Bowie's releases in order really enhanced this one. Obviously I loved it already, as it's always been in my top three (to be fair it was the third one I ever listened to). This time, it hit even harder. I could see the hints of this sound throughout his 90s and 2000s albums, especially Outside and Heathens. I love those albums, based on my first listen, but this is on another level. If I have one note, it's that Sue (Or in a Season of Crime) isn't really my vibe. It fits with the sound and mood of the album but its so grim and sinister. Don't get me wrong, it's good and doesn't really impact my overall feelings on the album. Given the subject and lyrics, it's appropriately uncomfortable. That said, the highs of this album are insane. The title track, Lazarus, Dollar Days, and I Can't Give Everything Away, move me beyond words. That's over half the album right there! Both this and Low have the best flow of Bowie's albums, the latter even more so. What really sets this apart from Low is the lyrics and instrumentation. I haven't praised the instrumentation nearly enough but seeing as I've already written two paragraphs, I'll just say that it's fantastic. The jazz musicians working with Bowie here, as well as his long-time producer Tony Visconti absolutely killed it. One of the best sounding albums of all time. I can't think of a greater final statement by an artist. [First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
2016
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,486
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Not what I expected at all on first listen. Such a unique blend of sounds and styles. The electronic, almost industrial instrumentation blended with Bowie's fragmented vocals and abstract lyrics makes this one of the most unique Bowie albums I've listened to. Even more so than Station to Station, Low demands to be listened in full. It promises a strange, dream-like journey, one that I appreciate more each time I listen.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1977
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Rank Score:
17,990
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I think I kind of take this album for granted without even meaning to. It's undeniably a classic, incredibly consistent in quality, and has some of the best songs from his entire career. I'm in this weird place where I feel like Hunky Dory is a little overrated yet I can't put it any lower than the top 5. For now it's ahead of Station to Station but we're at the point comparing masterpieces to masterpieces.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1971
Appears in:
Rank Score:
20,496
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An epic journey from beginning to end. It might not have the instantly recognizable hits like some of his other work but Station to Station is no less a masterpiece. It's one of those albums that just begs to be listened to in full. I'm not even sure which song I'd say is my favorite. Golden Years is my most listened to but there no denying how amazing the title track is.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1976
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,528
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Biggest grower for me. When I first heard it, right after Low, I was a bit disappointed. It seemed like the title track was just so much better than all the songs around it (eh might still be true). I think that was because I'd heard it a million times compared to hearing the rest of the album for the first time. After a few listens, I grew to love the structure of the album, with the more pop-influenced first half followed by a more experimental second half. Honestly, going from Low to this, the pop side might've been what was throwing me off. It feels like 'Heroes' is at odds with itself. That's just part of its beauty and charm. I like to think it's a fitting summation of where Bowie was at the time. Recovering from addiction, recentering himself while still exploring new ground as an artist and as a person. I still prefer Low but this is an incredible sequel and a big reason why the Berlin trilogy is so beloved and iconic. It is the only one recorded entirely in Berlin, so in some ways it is the quintessential album from that era. Don't see this moving up, the top 5 are pretty firmly positioned.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1977
Appears in:
Rank Score:
6,367
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Amazing first half. Great but lesser second half. I love the journey this album takes me on. Such a weird, whimsical vibe throughout. I dig it. Part of me wants to place this even higher but this seems like a fair spot. It's just a slight step below his best work.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,815
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Very solid follow up to Ziggy Stardust. It's hard following a masterpiece, let alone two in a row. I have not given this one as many listens as the albums above. My opinion could change but for now I think it is consistently great but lacks the insane highs of Bowie's best work.
[First added to this chart: 04/25/2022]
Year of Release:
1973
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,581
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Another big leap forward in Bowie's discography. The craziest part is that he would continue to get even better with the following few releases. Back to this one though, The Man Who Sold the World is a tight, well constructed album with a lot of memorable tracks and moments. I knew right from the opening track that this was gonna be great. I'm glad that the rest of the album maintained that quality. Before I give it too much praise, I do think it drags a bit in the middle. However, in my opinion the weakest song, Running Gun Blues, is still better than the majority of the songs of the previous two albums (obviously not counting songs like Space Oddity).
[First added to this chart: 12/15/2024]
Year of Release:
1970
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,721
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Might be over rating this oneto be honest, but 1.Outside sounded so fresh and interesting to me. It's undeniable that this marks a Bowie comeback; once again shifting styles and sounds. Like many of his best albums from the past, he created characters and stories to go along with his music. The concept is loose, unfocused but there's a thrill to digging into the lyrics and characters. I didn't care too much about if it all made sense and more just following along, putting myself in the shoes of these fictional characters. It left me feeling like Detective Nathan Adler, haunted, confused, searching for answers. There's also a moody atmosphere that reminds me a bit of Low or Heroes ambient tracks. Structurally, this album isn't going for a blend of narrative storytelling and hit songs like Ziggy Stardust, Diamond Dogs, or Scary Monsters. It's building a whole world of characters and shifting pov characters with each song, regardless of commercial success. This means there are a few interludes and other songs that don't work without the rest of the album. I feel like it adds to vibe and concept of this piece. I understand that the theatrics of it all aren't for everyone. Bowie was past caring about sales. His music is more interesting for that. Bowie felt like writing an album about a small town murder mystery in the vein of Twin Peaks and clearly had fun. Having already listened to Blackstar, I knew Bowie was an artist that never stopped taking creative risks and evolving. To me, this album just proves that fact even more.
[First added to this chart: 12/18/2024]
Year of Release:
1995
Appears in:
Rank Score:
827
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Total albums: 26. Page 1 of 3
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David Bowie Ranked composition
| Decade | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| 1930s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1940s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1950s | 0 | 0% | |
| 1960s | 2 | 7% | |
| 1970s | 11 | 39% | |
| 1980s | 5 | 18% | |
| 1990s | 6 | 21% | |
| 2000s | 2 | 7% | |
| 2010s | 2 | 7% | |
| 2020s | 0 | 0% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
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|
|
| David Bowie | 26 | 93% | |
| Tin Machine | 2 | 7% |
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