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David Bowie — Sound and Vision
Album: Low
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4091









Released: 1977
Length: 2:59
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Ahhh...
Ahhh...

Doo, doo, doo, do-doh
Doo, doo, doo, do-doh

Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision

Blue, blue, electric blue
That's the color of my room
Where I will live
Blue, blue

Pale blinds drawn all day
Nothing to do, nothing to say
Blue, blue

I will sit right down, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
Drifting into my solitude, over my head

Don't you wonder sometimes
'Bout sound and vision
Comments (358)add comment
Gone way too early. So glad for what was left for us.
Posted 2 months ago by slugore    [ Reply ]
The genius lives on...
Posted 2 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Back in the 70's High School, our musical tastes were so...channeled. I had a lady friend who was just about the only one who worshiped Bowie. Spiders from Mars and all. I regret that I did not expand my tastes more then. 
Posted 3 months ago by igotitmade2k    [ Reply ]
 jbonomo62 wrote:


Just keep listening to what you like and keep your opinions to yourself


He was praising the song... I guess you don't understand American slang?
Posted 4 months ago by TC1    [ Reply ]
A brilliant segue from alt-J's Something Good.
Posted 5 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Sublime. Possibly my favorite song—or at least it is when I hear it.
Posted 5 months ago by jvhalbrooks    [ Reply ]
 Emperors_Spork wrote:

Is the volume broken on this recording of the song?



Probably just not subjected to the loudness wars of the 80's and 90s - and as a result actually has some dynamic range.
Posted 6 months ago by radioparadise38    [ Reply ]
Is the volume broken on this recording of the song?
Posted 7 months ago by Emperors_Spork    [ Reply ]
I know it was from the era when it "had to be kept under 3:05" but
this track is just too damn short.............
Posted 7 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
Love how long the intro is, even ending with a bit of sax. Very unusual and catchy as hell.
Posted 7 months ago by AndrewInScotland    [ Reply ]
Bowie's unique take on the Diddley Beat.
Posted 10 months ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
The Talent that is BOWIE
Posted 1 year ago by linnex-    [ Reply ]
Another phase in the career of this amazing musical chameleon.
Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
"What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a musician."
"Really?  What instrument do you play?"
"Hot cast iron skillet."
"Hot cast iron skillet?  That's not an instrument!"
"It is when you add a spoonful of cold water to it.  You've probably heard my work on David Bowie's song "Sound and Vision"."
Posted 1 year ago by ick    [ Reply ]
tchoon!
Posted 1 year ago by csumby    [ Reply ]
 jbonomo62 wrote:


Just keep listening to what you like and keep your opinions to yourself


...he likes it. He likes it a lot!

Posted 1 year ago by csumby    [ Reply ]
 gregskrtic wrote:

i remember buying this album on cassette way back in '77 and thinking, this is the "shit"!!!!  now 40+ years later, this is STILL THE SHIT!!!!!



Seems like you are smelling yourself!
Posted 1 year ago by jbonomo62    [ Reply ]
Damn i miss bowie
Posted 1 year ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Sweet Jesus I love David Bowie's music. 
Posted 1 year ago by Stuff_n_Nonsense    [ Reply ]
 gregskrtic wrote:

i remember buying this album on cassette way back in '77 and thinking, this is the "shit"!!!!  now 40+ years later, this is STILL THE SHIT!!!!!



Just keep listening to what you like and keep your opinions to yourself
Posted 1 year ago by jbonomo62    [ Reply ]
the bass line is just ,just...just..
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 rpdevotee wrote:

I daresay this song is musical genius




Yes you may...
Posted 1 year ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
It's a crime that  this song is so short...could have gone on 3 or 4x as long...
Posted 1 year ago by tulfan    [ Reply ]
Ok, Bowie is just such a natural segue from John Prine. Bill & Becca…🤔
Posted 2 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
 jnhashmi wrote:

This song has one hook and it keeps repeating over and over ad nauseam. Not much here. I know, classic and all that. But that's what I'm hearing.




nobody cares what you hear
Posted 2 years ago by peck    [ Reply ]
This song could be twice as long and I wouldn't be mad about it
Posted 2 years ago by bialia    [ Reply ]
This song has one hook and it keeps repeating over and over ad nauseam. Not much here. I know, classic and all that. But that's what I'm hearing.
Posted 2 years ago by jnhashmi    [ Reply ]
Still outstanding and timeless after all these years✌️
Posted 3 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
 Matt_Maurer wrote:

Way ahead of his time !


Can't believe this is from the '70s. Waaaay ahead of his time.
Posted 3 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
 Scooter1066 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyO5MRTbL2s

Download the Free Studio converter - converts it to mp3

Or you could, you know, buy it?
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
i remember buying this album on cassette way back in '77 and thinking, this is the "shit"!!!!  now 40+ years later, this is STILL THE SHIT!!!!!
Posted 3 years ago by gregskrtic    [ Reply ]
Way ahead of his time !’nn
Posted 3 years ago by Matt_Maurer    [ Reply ]
New wave started here - the prototype
Posted 3 years ago by johnnyr    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Depending on which area of upstate NY he was broadcasting from, that DJ may have found just about anything depressing.  Great tune.
 
LOL. Keep up the good work. I like your comments.
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:
I'll take sound over vision, but that's just me.  I can hear colors ...
 
My late mother-in-law was able to hear the Aurora Borealis.
Posted 4 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:
I'll take sound over vision, but that's just me.  I can hear colors ...
 

That's what Helen Keller said.
Posted 4 years ago by folkes.tom    [ Reply ]
The Sea and Cake do a nice little cover of this song on 2002's One Bedroom.
Posted 5 years ago by NelsonBlack    [ Reply ]
I'll take sound over vision, but that's just me.  I can hear colors ...
Posted 5 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Long Live                                                                                                                               Radio Paradise
My rating is   a       STRONG                                                                                         8  -Most  Excellent 
Posted 5 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
I daresay this song is musical genius
Posted 6 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
Looooooooooooooooove this song!
Posted 6 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
Bliss... 10
Posted 6 years ago by glowworm    [ Reply ]
 boontonite wrote:
I was listening to this on the radio in upstate New York around the time it came out. The DJ stopped the song about 1/2 way through, saying it was too depressing. I didn't agree.
 
Depending on which area of upstate NY he was broadcasting from, that DJ may have found just about anything depressing.  Great tune.
Posted 6 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I'm going to sit right down, waiting for the gift of some ambition...
Posted 6 years ago by mckamx    [ Reply ]
1977....So far ahead of his time...love this guy
Posted 6 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
 floydoftherocks wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Cowboy}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Drummer}

RP needs a snorting icon in honor of the Thin White Duke... {#Cheesygrin}

 
His coke spoon was part of the collection of artifacts that were displayed in the Bowie show that I believe had its only American show in Chicago in 2015. Might this be in reference to that dining implement?
Posted 7 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 jjtwister wrote:


 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyO5MRTbL2s

Download the Free Studio converter - converts it to mp3
Posted 7 years ago by Scooter1066    [ Reply ]
 ShamanManu wrote:

{#Cheers}Thanks for turning me on tothe BECK vid I have the Bowie version how/where can I download the BECK version of the vid
thanks or your help
jjtwister

 
 

Posted 7 years ago by jjtwister    [ Reply ]
10
.
I love the Belin Trilogies,
at first I liked "Low" the best but here lately I have been listening to "Lodger" and I think it's my favorite,
if you would like to pair a couple of albums try "Lodger" then play Shearwater's "Jet Plane And Oxbow" right after,
sublime

 
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
 dkwalika wrote:
Does this get played here a lot, or is it just me?

 
Don't you wonder some-tiiiiiiiiiiiii-mes?
It's never too much of David Bowie goodness  {#Notworthy}
Posted 7 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
{#Roflol}{#Roflol} Skydog wrote:

how much do you get played?

 


Posted 7 years ago by hellsgardener    [ Reply ]
 dkwalika wrote:
Does this get played here a lot, or is it just me?

 
3 plays in the last 30 days; is that "a lot"?
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 dkwalika wrote:
Does this get played here a lot, or is it just me?

 
how much do you get played?
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
...waiting for the gift of some ambition...
Posted 7 years ago by mckamx    [ Reply ]
True visionary...this is so different than anything else of that time...thanks Mr.Bowie
Posted 7 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
 mgkiwi wrote:
Stop spitting on the fire!!

 {#Roflol}


Posted 8 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 dkwalika wrote:
Does this get played here a lot, or is it just me?

 
Only once a week which is not enough to my liking.
Posted 8 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
That drum intro. perks me up everytime.
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
This is fun.
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
9
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Does this get played here a lot, or is it just me?
Posted 8 years ago by dkwalika    [ Reply ]
 papersitter wrote:
Beck does something amazing with this. Best in headphones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyO5MRTbL2s

 
{#Cheers}
Posted 8 years ago by ShamanManu    [ Reply ]
 papersitter wrote:
Beck does something amazing with this. Best in headphones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyO5MRTbL2s

 
I watched it repeatedly when it first came out and was very much unimpressed. The tech and concept was cool, but otherwise bleh.
Posted 8 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 boontonite wrote:
I was listening to this on the radio in upstate New York around the time it came out. The DJ stopped the song about 1/2 way through, saying it was too depressing. I didn't agree.

 
Maybe DJ was depressive{#Wink}
Posted 8 years ago by mojcamojca77    [ Reply ]
 Dazzerb wrote:
easy 10.  Superb Bowie

 
Absolutely!
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Where Robert Smith found his inspiration for synth strings. :)
Posted 8 years ago by maboleth    [ Reply ]
easy 10.  Superb Bowie
Posted 8 years ago by Dazzerb    [ Reply ]
would it be to much to do a Bowie song every hour or two?
 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
I was listening to this on the radio in upstate New York around the time it came out. The DJ stopped the song about 1/2 way through, saying it was too depressing. I didn't agree.
Posted 8 years ago by boontonite    [ Reply ]
another good pick Bill
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Cowboy}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Drummer}

RP needs a snorting icon in honor of the Thin White Duke... {#Cheesygrin}
Posted 8 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
Got a new album coming out in early 2016....fingers crossed for excellence!

 
Passed with flying colors if I do say so myself! {#Mrgreen}  More solemnly R.I.P
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Beck does something amazing with this. Best in headphones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyO5MRTbL2s
Posted 8 years ago by papersitter    [ Reply ]
I pulled this album out the other day and gave it a full spin (just got a new turntable). I always loved this song but don't remember ever listening to Low all that much. I still don't like it as it mostly lacks melody, but it's a fascinating study - very ahead of its time.  
Posted 8 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Glorious but sad.......
Posted 8 years ago by Dosequis    [ Reply ]
!st time I've heard this since Dave died.  It's still exquisite.  Nicely done, & R.I.P.
Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 stegokitty wrote:
It's almost never a bad time for some Bowie.

 
almost. 3
Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
It's almost never a bad time for some Bowie.
Posted 9 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
Got a new album coming out in early 2016....fingers crossed for excellence!
Posted 9 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Part of the Berlin Trilogy.  Great albums.
Posted 9 years ago by jgrosch    [ Reply ]
Beck's cover of this is incredible. It's massive with a cast of 100s. Not at all like the original, but a clever way to hear the song in a new way.
Posted 9 years ago by papersitter    [ Reply ]
heard a lot of good songs today on RP, but this is the first one to make me stop what I was doing and turn up the volume. {#Cheers}
Posted 9 years ago by jameshay    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}mein held
Posted 9 years ago by tonispizzeria    [ Reply ]
I wonder how come am never tired of listening Bowie ? :D
Posted 9 years ago by Azrica    [ Reply ]
cool song, but that album photo of Bowie always brings to mind a fantastic film:
The Man Who Fell to Earth is a 1976 British science fiction film directed by Nicolas Roeg.
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
A.MA.ZING.
Posted 9 years ago by adpucci    [ Reply ]
 Al_Dente wrote:
While listening to this through decent headphones, the strange, somewhat random, piston-like sound in my left ear makes this song almost unbearable.

 
It's always been there; I heard that in my headphones over 35 years ago.  The digital remixing seems to have made it more prominent though.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 nszasz wrote:
Nice,,,, now check out Beck's "cover" of this with 160 musicians!

https://youtu.be/QnOmrDzRrGQ

  Although it's an interesting technical achievement, it's really a bad version of the song.
Posted 10 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 Al_Dente wrote:
While listening to this through decent headphones, the strange, somewhat random, piston-like sound in my left ear makes this song almost unbearable.

 

Try listening to it with just the right headphone. Big improvement.
Posted 10 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
 Al_Dente wrote:
While listening to this through decent headphones, the strange, somewhat random, piston-like sound in my left ear makes this song almost unbearable.

 
Didn't bother me till you mentioned it. Aaaargh
Posted 10 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
Great song---too much airplay
Posted 10 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
Stop spitting on the fire!!
Posted 10 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
love it...
Posted 10 years ago by robkom    [ Reply ]
   beautiful.....excellence   {#Guitarist}{#Sunny}{#Clap}
Posted 10 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:

I bought it, left it in the living room while I was at work and when I got home, it had swept the floors, done the ironing and made my bed... You did it wrong mate.

 
That's great, But did it make the world a better place?  Did it feed the hungry, lighten the burden of the oppressed masses?  Rally the proletariate to rise up against the capitalist masters?
Posted 10 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 lasker98 wrote:
Possibly my favourite Bowie song.

 
{#Clap}   ditto
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 helloitsme wrote:
Does anyone else remember the cymbal crash/hiss being a bit softer back in the 70s?

And my hearing was better then too.

 
Always the same volume --- a nice Hhhhhiiiiiiisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Possibly my favourite Bowie song.
Posted 10 years ago by lasker98    [ Reply ]
Does anyone else remember the cymbal crash/hiss being a bit softer back in the 70s?

And my hearing was better then too.
Posted 10 years ago by helloitsme    [ Reply ]
Not that inspired  -- by Bowie standards 
Posted 10 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
Sound & vision - that accounts for a lot of it. There is also touch, a little bit of smell & taste.
Posted 11 years ago by RandomousJam    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:

I bought it, left it in the living room while I was at work and when I got home, it had swept the floors, done the ironing and made my bed... You did it wrong mate.

 

What, no dinner? Sheesh!
Posted 11 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
This was the only Bowie cd I ever bought. Didn'd do anything for me.
 
I bought it, left it in the living room while I was at work and when I got home, it had swept the floors, done the ironing and made my bed... You did it wrong mate.
Posted 11 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
While listening to this through decent headphones, the strange, somewhat random, piston-like sound in my left ear makes this song almost unbearable.
Posted 11 years ago by Al_Dente    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
This was the only Bowie cd I ever bought. Didn'd do anything for me.
 
Low is an acquired taste. If you started here, I can see how you got no further. Should have started with Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, or Hunky Dory or Man Who Sold the World.

Go back, browse the catalog. Low was part of the Berlin years, heavily influenced by Brian Eno and the Lou Reed, and Iggy Pop. Very European (and not at all British).
Posted 11 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
 marcelbr wrote:
Funny indeed, and did you know that Nick Lowe had an EP out called "Bowi"? See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowi


indypaul wrote:


That's funny! Here I was sitting here thinking "Great, a Nick Lowe song" and then I look at the playlist. OOPS!!!

 
Yeah, it reminds me of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass"

 
Nick Lowe titled that EP "Bowi" -with the dropped letter "E" as a joke, since David Bowie had recently released this album "Low" - leaving the "E" off of his last name.  I bought both records when they first came out and still have them.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Funny indeed, and did you know that Nick Lowe had an EP out called "Bowi"? See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowi


indypaul wrote:


That's funny! Here I was sitting here thinking "Great, a Nick Lowe song" and then I look at the playlist. OOPS!!!

 
Yeah, it reminds me of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass"
Posted 11 years ago by marcelbr    [ Reply ]
his album "changes" is excellent.Also 'Year of the Diamond Dogs.
Posted 11 years ago by zappa501    [ Reply ]
 indypaul wrote:


That's funny! Here I was sitting here thinking "Great, a Nick Lowe song" and then I look at the playlist. OOPS!!!

 
Yeah, it reminds me of "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass"
Posted 11 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]
One of the all-time great Bowie tracks.
Posted 11 years ago by jbunniii    [ Reply ]

I think I finally understand how underrated this album is.


Posted 11 years ago by dig    [ Reply ]
Personally, I like the funky tone on the bass.  But this is a dancing tune, with the exaggerated Bowie backup singing to keep a smile on my face!
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy}
Posted 11 years ago by camatcba    [ Reply ]
 must have been the herbicide  rdo wrote:
This was the only Bowie cd I ever bought. Didn'd do anything for me.
 


Posted 11 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Nice,,,, now check out Beck's "cover" of this with 160 musicians!

https://youtu.be/QnOmrDzRrGQ
Posted 11 years ago by nszasz    [ Reply ]
El gran Bowie superando su adicción y renaciendo en Berlín, uno de sus mejores discos {#Music}
Posted 11 years ago by fantomas    [ Reply ]
This song makes me think about you and that afternoon laughing about Bowies looks... do you remember?
Posted 11 years ago by piñata    [ Reply ]
This song reminds me of bouncing along in my first car, a baby blue AMC Hornet....hideous vehicle, got me everywhere for 4 years. Loved it! As I seat danced, driving the beltway, my seat back broke and I almost caused a traffic calamity of epic proportion. David Bowie saved me, really he did. 
Posted 11 years ago by asilbuch    [ Reply ]
This is absolute crap ... I give it a 10 ... because I love it ... God help me!  (a conflicted RP Hater)
Posted 11 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Never heard this before. I like it. Catchy guitar and bass.
Posted 12 years ago by Algis    [ Reply ]