Full Breakdown
David Bowie's Favorite Songs Unearthed Ahead of New Exhibition
9/13/2025, 6:09:08 AM
Opening of the David Bowie Center
The David Bowie Center is set to open on September 13, 2025, at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick, London. This new exhibition will showcase an extensive collection of over 90,000 items related to the iconic artist, including personal memorabilia, stage costumes, and a significant handwritten note listing Bowie’s favorite songs. This note, titled “Memo for radio show — list of favourite records,” provides insight into the musical influences that shaped Bowie’s career.
The List of Favorite Songs
The list features a diverse array of tracks spanning multiple genres and decades, highlighting Bowie's eclectic taste in music. The songs included are:
- Ralph Vaughan Williams – “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis”
- Richard Strauss – “Four Last Songs”
- Alan Freed and His Rock ’N’ Roll Band – “Right Now Right Now”
- Little Richard – “True Fine Mama”
- The Hollywood Argyles – “Sho Know a Lot About Love”
- Miles Davis – “Some Day My Prince Will Come”
- Charles Mingus – “Ecclusiastics”
- Jeff Beck – “Beck’s Bolero”
- Legendary Stardust Cowboy – “I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship”
- The Beatles – “Across the Universe”
- Ronnie Spector – “Try Some, Buy Some”
- Roxy Music – “Mother of Pearl”
- Edgar Froese – “Epsilon in Malaysian Pale”
- The Walker Brothers – “The Electrician”
- Sonic Youth – “Tom Violence”
This selection not only reflects Bowie's appreciation for classical music and jazz but also includes rock and pop tracks that he later covered, such as The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” and Ronnie Spector’s “Try Some, Buy Some.”
Background and Context
The discovery of this list occurred during the organization of Bowie's vast collection for the upcoming exhibition. The V&A Museum aims to place Bowie’s work in dialogue with its extensive art and design collection, spanning 5,000 years. The exhibition is supported by the David Bowie Estate, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Warner Music Group, emphasizing Bowie's lasting impact on music and culture.
Criticism & Opposition
While the exhibition celebrates Bowie’s legacy, some critics argue that focusing on his favorites may overshadow the broader context of his contributions to music and art. They suggest that a more comprehensive exploration of his work and its implications for contemporary artists could provide a richer narrative.
Official Statements & Responses
The V&A Museum has expressed gratitude to the David Bowie Estate and its partners for their support in bringing this exhibition to fruition. They stated, “Our new collections centre, V&A East Storehouse, is the ideal place to put Bowie’s work in dialogue with the V&A’s collection.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “As per Rolling Stone, the handwritten list, titled “Memo for radio show — list of favourite records,” offers unprecedented insight into the musical tastes that shaped one of Britain’s most influential artists.” — Rolling Stone
The David Bowie Center promises to be a significant cultural attraction, providing fans and scholars alike with a deeper understanding of Bowie’s artistic journey and the music that inspired him.
