David Bowie was never hesitant to weave his influences into his artwork. A lifelong music enthusiast, he was captivated by the craft, integrating impacts into his profoundly meta, post-modern perspective. As a teenager in the 60s, he was enchanted by The Beatles and later collaborated with John Lennon on Bowie’s global smash ‘Fame’. However, does his 1971 song ‘Changes’ hint at a subtle reference to the Fab Four?
Written before he achieved widespread success, ‘Changes’ is included in ‘Hunky Dory’, an album that laid the groundwork for glam rock. Featuring the musicians who would later be known as the Spiders From Mars, it’s essential listening for anyone with even a casual interest in Bowie’s life and oeuvre.
The chorus, of course, is memorable, highlighted by the stuttering line:
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changesTurn and face the strangeCh-ch-changesDon’t want to be a richer man
This isn’t the first instance of a speech impediment in rock music – however, as Paul McCartney remarks in his book Lyrics, it bears a resemblance to a line from The Beatles’ own ‘Birthday’: “Take a cha-cha-cha-chance…”
Macca is usually light-hearted and modest about it, but this could possibly be a covert nod to The Beatles from Bowie. It’s worth noting that ‘Changes’ was recorded at Trident Studios, and the opening piano riff bears a slight resemblance (just slightly!) to ‘Hey Bulldog’ by the Liverpool group.
Additionally, Rick Wakeman – who played the session piano – recorded the track using Trident Studio’s 1898 Bechstein grand piano, the same one that Paul McCartney used on ‘Hey Jude’, and that Elton John played for ‘Your Song’.
If only that piano could share its stories, right?
Bowie’s admiration for The Beatles didn’t end there – he also covered ‘Across The Universe’ from the ‘Let It Be’ album in 1975, adding his own distinctive twist to the track.
Take a moment to revisit ‘Changes’ below.
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David Bowie was always open to incorporating his influences into his work. A music enthusiast through and through, he found the craft captivating, taking it all in.