“The Prettiest Star” is a song by David Bowie, originally released as a single in March 1970.
In January 1970, Bowie re-recorded an old Deram track, “London Bye Ta-Ta”, intended as a follow-up single to “Space Oddity”. However, the same sessions spawned a new composition named “The Prettiest Star”, which Bowie had written for Angela Barnett, reputedly playing it down the telephone as part of his proposal to her. The song is in the style of the Greek hasapiko dance as a tribute to Angie’s Cypriot ethnic origin. He also chose it as his next single, to the displeasure of manager Kenneth Pitt, who favoured “London Bye Ta-Ta”.
The track featured Marc Bolan on guitar, with whom Bowie would spend the next few years as a rival for the crown of the king of glam rock. Producer Tony Visconti, who brought the two aspiring pop stars together in the studio, recalled that the session went well until the end when Bolan’s wife June remarked to Bowie, “Marc is too good for you, to be playing on this record!”
Despite receiving good notices, the single reportedly sold fewer than 800 copies, a major disappointment on the back of the success of “Space Oddity”.
A more glam-influenced version was recorded in December 1972 or January 1973 for the album Aladdin Sane, with Mick Ronson recreating Bolan’s original guitar part almost note-for-note.
Tracklist
side A. The Prettiest Star 3:11
Written-By – David Bowie
Written-By – David Bowie
side B. Conversation Piece 3:05
Written-By – David Bowie
Written-By – David Bowie
Description
Label: Mercury – 6052 011
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single Mono
Country: The Netherlands
Released: April 1970
Recorded at:
Recorded date:
Media Condition: Vinyl we look good. Side 1 plays with a little background noise (VG), Small tap on the last few seconds of the song. side 2 plays nicely (VG+).
Sleeve Condition: Very Good (VG+)
ring wear:
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: No
creases or folds: No
stamps or writing: See photos for a neat quality case. small sticker from V&D on the back
Production credits
Producer:
Tony Visconti
Musicians (original single version):
David Bowie – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Marc Bolan – electric guitar on “The Prettiest Star”
Tony Visconti – bass guitar, string arrangement
John Cambridge – drums
Derek Austin – Hammond Organ
The Prettiest Star
David Bowie
Cold fire, you’ve got everything but cold fire
You will be my rest and peace child
I moved up to take a place, near you
So tired, it’s the sky that makes you feel tried
It’s a trick to make you see wide
It can all but break your heart, in pieces
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the dark
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
The prettiest star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star
Staying back in your memory
Are the movies in the past
How you moved is all it takes
To sing a song of when I loved
Prettiest star
One day though it might as well be someday
You and I will rise up all the way
All because of what you are
The prettiest star
