The Most Popular David Bowie Album, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the album you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:34
Imagine you're in a spirited discussion with friends about the legendary music of David Bowie. Everyone has their favorite album, claiming it's his best work, but how do you decide which one truly resonates with the majority of his fans? Having a consolidated list of Bowie's top albums, ranked by fans themselves, offers a unique snapshot of collective preferences and insights.
By participating in this ranking, not only do you contribute to a broader understanding of his musical impact, but you also get to see how your own favorites stack up against the general consensus. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a new listener, casting your vote here helps paint a picture of Bowie's enduring legacy and influence across generations.
What Is the Most Popular David Bowie Album?
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144votes"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" - widely considered Bowie's breakthrough album, it introduced the character of Ziggy Stardust and contained hits like "Starman" and "Suffragette City."The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a concept album by English musician David Bowie. It was released in 1972 and is widely regarded as one of Bowie's greatest works. The album tells the story of Ziggy Stardust, a fictional rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings.
- Release Year: 1972
- Genre: Glam rock
- Record Label: RCA
- Length: 38 minutes
- Producer: Ken Scott and David Bowie
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243votes
"Hunky Dory" (1971)
David Bowie"Hunky Dory" (1971) another early classic, featuring tracks like "Life on Mars?" and "Changes."Hunky Dory is the fourth studio album released by David Bowie in 1971. It is widely regarded as one of Bowie's most influential and innovative albums, showcasing his exceptional songwriting skills and versatility as an artist. Hunky Dory features a rich blend of various musical genres, including folk, glam rock, and art pop, which contributes to its timeless appeal and significant impact on subsequent music movements.- Release Date: December 17, 1971
- Genre: Glam rock, Art pop
- Label: RCA
- Length: 41:46
- Producer: Ken Scott, David Bowie
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322votes
"Low" (1977)
David Bowie"Low" (1977) the first of Bowie's "Berlin Trilogy" of albums, it showcased a more experimental, electronic sound and contained the hit "Sound and Vision."Low is the eleventh studio album by David Bowie, released in 1977. It marked a departure from his previous glam rock sound and embraced experimental electronic elements. The album, recorded in collaboration with musician Brian Eno, is often considered one of Bowie's most influential and innovative works. It features a blend of atmospheric instrumentals and introspective lyrics, capturing a sense of melancholy and detachment. Low serves as the first installment of Bowie's acclaimed Berlin Trilogy, inspired by his time living in the German capital.- Release Year: 1977
- Genre: Art rock, electronic, experimental
- Collaborator: Brian Eno
- Record Label: RCA
- Chart Performance: Reached #2 in the UK
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415votes
"Heroes" (1977)
David Bowie"Heroes" (1977) the second of the Berlin Trilogy, with its title track becoming a Bowie classic."Heroes" is the twelfth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released in 1977. It is often considered one of Bowie's most influential and iconic albums. The record was produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti, and it marked a departure from his previous sound with a more experimental and ambient approach. The album explores themes of love, heroism, and personal struggles, drawing inspiration from Bowie's time living in Berlin.- Release date: October 14, 1977
- Recorded: July–August 1977
- Label: RCA
- Genres: Art rock, experimental rock
- Length: 40:08
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56votes
"Let's Dance" (1983)
David BowieBowie's best-selling album, with hits like "Modern Love" and the title track.Let's Dance (1983) is the fifteenth studio album by the renowned British musician David Bowie. It marked a significant shift in Bowie's musical style, adopting a more mainstream sound influenced by dance-pop and post-disco. The album showcased Bowie's versatility as an artist and became one of his most commercially successful releases.- Release date: April 14, 1983
- Genre: Dance-pop, post-disco
- Label: EMI America
- Producer: Nile Rodgers
- Length: 39:41
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610votes
"Aladdin Sane" (1973)
David Bowie"Aladdin Sane" (1973) a follow-up to Ziggy Stardust, with hits like "The Jean Genie" and "Drive-In Saturday."Aladdin Sane is the sixth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released in 1973. The album is characterized by its blend of glam rock, art rock, and avant-garde influences, and it is considered one of Bowie's most iconic and influential works.- Release Date: April 13, 1973
- Genre: Glam rock, art rock, avant-garde
- Label: RCA
- Length: 41:04
- Chart Performance: Reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart and #17 in the US Billboard 200
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717votes
"Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" (1980)
David Bowie"Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)" (1980) featuring hits like "Ashes to Ashes" and "Fashion," it was Bowie's last album before a brief retirement.Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) is the fourteenth studio album by David Bowie, released in 1980. It is considered one of his most influential and popular albums, showcasing his innovative approach to music and incorporating elements of new wave, post-punk, and art rock.- Release Year: 1980
- Genre: New Wave, Post-Punk, Art Rock
- Label: RCA
- Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
- Number of Tracks: 10
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810votes
"Diamond Dogs" (1974)
David Bowie"Diamond Dogs" (1974) a concept album inspired by George Orwell's "1984," with hits like "Rebel Rebel" and the title track.Diamond Dogs is the eighth studio album by English musician David Bowie, released in 1974. It is a concept album inspired by George Orwell's dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. The album showcases Bowie's transition from glam rock to a more experimental sound, blending elements of rock, soul, funk, and disco.- Release Date: May 24, 1974
- Genre: Rock
- Length: 38:33
- Label: RCA
- Concept: Inspired by George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four
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911votes
"Station to Station" (1976)
David Bowie"Station to Station" (1976) another of the Berlin Trilogy, featuring the epic title track and "Golden Years."Station to Station is the tenth studio album released by English musician David Bowie in 1976. It is a transitional and influential record in his discography, showcasing his shift from glam rock to a more experimental and avant-garde sound. The album features a mix of genres including funk, soul, and electronic music.- Release Year: 1976
- Genre: Rock, Funk, Soul, Electronic
- Length: 38:02
- Label: RCA
- Producer: David Bowie, Harry Maslin
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105votes
"Blackstar" (2016)
David Bowie"Blackstar" (2016) released just two days before Bowie's death, it was a critical and commercial success and was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.Blackstar is the twenty-fifth and final studio album by English musician David Bowie, released on January 8, 2016. It is a concept album with themes of mortality, spirituality, and introspection. The album showcases Bowie experimenting with different musical styles, including jazz and electronic elements, while maintaining his distinctive sound. Blackstar received critical acclaim for its innovative and experimental approach and is considered one of Bowie's most important and influential albums.- Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
- Release date: January 8, 2016
- Genre: Art rock, experimental rock, jazz
- Label: ISO Records, Columbia Records
- Number of tracks: 7
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular album
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Commercial successThis can be measured by album sales, chart positions, and certifications awarded by recording industry associations like the RIAA, BPI, and other organizations. Commercial success gives a general idea about how well-received an album was by the public.
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Critical acclaimReviews and ratings by music critics, journalists, and publications can help determine an album's quality, artistic merit, and impact on the music landscape. Critical acclaim can reflect the overall recognition and respect an album has received from the music community.
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Influence and legacySome albums have a more significant impact on music and popular culture than others, regardless of commercial success or initial critical reception. The influence of an album can be evaluated in terms of its effect on other artists, changes it brought to music genres, or its enduring popularity and status as a classic or "must-listen" album.
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Awards and recognitionGrammy Awards, BRIT Awards, and other music awards can attest to an album's importance and success, as well as provide an indication of how it was received by the industry.
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Fan opinionOnline ratings, polls, and forums can provide insights into the opinions of fans and dedicated listeners. This subjective input can reveal which of David Bowie's albums are considered fan favorites.
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Timelessness and longevitySome albums continue to be popular and sell well long after their release. Albums that maintain their appeal over time can be considered more successful than others that quickly faded from public attention.
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Originality and creativityDavid Bowie is renowned for his constant reinvention and pushing of musical boundaries. Albums that showcase significant innovation or experimentation can be considered more important in his discography than those that follow well-worn paths.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular David Bowie album. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Album is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1567 views
- 175 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Album once every 24 hours. The rank of each Album is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular david bowie album
David Bowie is undoubtedly one of the most influential and innovative musicians in modern history. With a career spanning several decades, Bowie released numerous albums that continue to captivate audiences to this day. From his early days as a folk singer to his more experimental and avant-garde works, Bowie's music has left an indelible mark on the music industry. In this article, we'll explore the question of which David Bowie album is the most popular, and delve into the reasons why Bowie's music continues to resonate with fans of all ages and backgrounds.
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