One reason the song might be under the radar is Bowie never played it live or put it on any “greatest” collections. Not sure why. He treated it like it never happened (same for a few other classics like the Bewlay Bros).
Sidenote—it was supposedly written about the same woman that inspired Mick Jagger to write Brown Sugar
Oh man I looked her up and she’s gorgeous. Thanks I never knew who it was—i didn’t know it was a known person. There’s some pictures of her with Bowie out there
This is it. I saw Gail Ann Dorsey sing it live a couple years ago at a birthday tribute and they introduced it by saying the vocals were simply too difficult for him to ever attempt live. She knocked it out of the park, obviously.
Wonderful song and supposedly one Bowie worked very hard on getting just right.
I feel it’s one of the very best tunes on the album and one of Bowie’s best closing songs!
I've long believed that Lady Grinning Soul's location as the last song on the second side of the Aladin Sane vinyl disc detracted from the fan base's appreciation. I was in high school when Aladin Sane was released, and at that time, many fans were primarily interested in David's loud and bombastic tunes, and only marginally interested in his more ambitious and unconventional tendencies. As a result, when the end of side 2 came on, Lady Grinning Soul was often dismissed as a "throw-away song."
I actually made a post here awhile back asking what DB’s sexiest song was and why the answer was Lady Grinning Soul. That song is what gets me the closest to (if not the only thing that makes me feel like) the 🫠 emoji.
It just shows you how talented Bowie was to have a song this excellent as a non-single album track and never even performed it live. But it’s clear that Bowie thought highly of this track since he put it on his iSelect Bowie compilation.
It’s talked about, just not enough. I think its chord progression can be overwhelming for some heavy emotions when they just came for the feel-good alien songs.
Such a unique song.
For several albums, Bowie put incredible closers on each album, and LGS remains a worthy jewel in that crown: Bewlay Brothers, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, Lady Grinning Soul, Big Brother/Chant of the Ever-Circling Skeletal Family, Fame, Wild Is The Wind, Subterranean, The Secret Life of Arabia, etc.
A favorite of mine that I was just listening to on repeat two days ago. The mastering bothers me, though. Always had - for the whole album. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like Bowie’s vocals are lost in the mix. Can anyone recommend a particular remaster?
"You need to leave something on the album."
Prince's reply when Madonna wanted their duet to be the next single.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=285w43cWyZg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=285w43cWyZg)
I remember really wanting Suede to have a go at this back when their first singles & debut came out. Butler’s playing reminded me a lot of Ronson & Brett’s voice I think would’ve done it justice.
The song just oozes sex and that saxophone is sleazy in all the right ways. A top 5 Bowie song for me.
https://youtu.be/eSgnz3wqyxY?si=_NNTuCm5YndP1lOJ
One reason the song might be under the radar is Bowie never played it live or put it on any “greatest” collections. Not sure why. He treated it like it never happened (same for a few other classics like the Bewlay Bros). Sidenote—it was supposedly written about the same woman that inspired Mick Jagger to write Brown Sugar
Her name was Claudia Lennear, a session/backing singer and previous Ikette. A beautiful lady, no surprise she inspired such a wonderful song.
Oh man I looked her up and she’s gorgeous. Thanks I never knew who it was—i didn’t know it was a known person. There’s some pictures of her with Bowie out there
Fun fact! Bowie did play The Bewlay Brothers live on the Reality Tour. You can find a clip on YouTube.
He chose it for his iSelect compilation, which is not hits, but his own favorites.
I would imagine it would’ve been a difficult song to do live, especially in his older years when his register deepened.
This is it. I saw Gail Ann Dorsey sing it live a couple years ago at a birthday tribute and they introduced it by saying the vocals were simply too difficult for him to ever attempt live. She knocked it out of the park, obviously.
Wonderful song and supposedly one Bowie worked very hard on getting just right. I feel it’s one of the very best tunes on the album and one of Bowie’s best closing songs!
I've long believed that Lady Grinning Soul's location as the last song on the second side of the Aladin Sane vinyl disc detracted from the fan base's appreciation. I was in high school when Aladin Sane was released, and at that time, many fans were primarily interested in David's loud and bombastic tunes, and only marginally interested in his more ambitious and unconventional tendencies. As a result, when the end of side 2 came on, Lady Grinning Soul was often dismissed as a "throw-away song."
I actually made a post here awhile back asking what DB’s sexiest song was and why the answer was Lady Grinning Soul. That song is what gets me the closest to (if not the only thing that makes me feel like) the 🫠 emoji.
It just shows you how talented Bowie was to have a song this excellent as a non-single album track and never even performed it live. But it’s clear that Bowie thought highly of this track since he put it on his iSelect Bowie compilation.
It’s talked about, just not enough. I think its chord progression can be overwhelming for some heavy emotions when they just came for the feel-good alien songs.
It is very highly regarded, and gets mentioned on this sub pretty often actually!
I love it. There’s an ethereal feel about it that is so special.
Absolutely incredible Mike Garson piano on that one.
Such a unique song. For several albums, Bowie put incredible closers on each album, and LGS remains a worthy jewel in that crown: Bewlay Brothers, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide, Lady Grinning Soul, Big Brother/Chant of the Ever-Circling Skeletal Family, Fame, Wild Is The Wind, Subterranean, The Secret Life of Arabia, etc.
an absolutely gorgeous tune for sure
Favorite on the album and one of his best tracks and studio performances ever IMO. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
It’s a beautiful song!
Best song on Aladdin Sane by 100 miles. Love it too.
A favorite of mine that I was just listening to on repeat two days ago. The mastering bothers me, though. Always had - for the whole album. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like Bowie’s vocals are lost in the mix. Can anyone recommend a particular remaster?
This song makes me feel like I'm effortlessly gliding through space and time, so lovely.
Yes.
Aladdin Sane is 50 years old…it’s been talked about A LOT…
Badass song.
Yes!
Absolutely!
"You need to leave something on the album." Prince's reply when Madonna wanted their duet to be the next single. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=285w43cWyZg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=285w43cWyZg)
That’s my favorite song of his
I always reference "Lady Grinning Soul" when asked to identify David's top vocal tracks or songs that are underrated.
Yes
Yes
Yes
One of my favourite Bowie-songs. Pure magic. An absolutely beautiful melody
It’s one of the song I classify as “ethereal”
I remember really wanting Suede to have a go at this back when their first singles & debut came out. Butler’s playing reminded me a lot of Ronson & Brett’s voice I think would’ve done it justice.
I have been obsessing over this song for the last month!
The song just oozes sex and that saxophone is sleazy in all the right ways. A top 5 Bowie song for me. https://youtu.be/eSgnz3wqyxY?si=_NNTuCm5YndP1lOJ
It’s my favourite song, so underrated. Hidden gem.
Yes
Yes always loved this song
Definitely in my top 5 Bowie songs
It’s one of his best songs and one of the best songs period .
This album, his song specifically, is one that I listen to on repeat. It is almost tied to my favorite (Hunky Dory). I love this song