Andy Warhol (song)

Song infobox
Name = Andy Warhol


Artist = David Bowie
Album = Hunky Dory
Released = December 17 1971
track_no = 8
Recorded = Trident Studios, London April 1971
Genre = Pop rock, Glam rock
Length = 3:56
Label = RCA Records
Writer = David Bowie
Producer = Ken Scott, David Bowie
prev = "Fill Your Heart"
prev_no = 7
next = "Song For Bob Dylan"
next_no = 9

"Andy Warhol" is a song written by David Bowie in 1971 for the album "Hunky Dory". This is an all-acoustic song about one of Bowie's greatest inspirations, the American pop artist Andy Warhol. The song starts with some studio chat where Bowie explains to producer Ken Scott the right pronunciation of the Warhol's name ("It's WarHOL, actually." / "What did I say?" / " 'Hole.' It's Hol. As in hols."), then suddenly begins amidst laughter. The song is memorable for its distinctive, flamenco-sounding opening riff on the acoustic guitar that continues through the song.

Bowie later played the song to Andy Warhol, who reportedly disliked it as he thought the lyrics made fun of his physical appearance. When the song had finished playing, Warhol and Bowie reportedly just stared at each other for a while until Warhol said "I like your shoes" and the pair then had a conversation about shoes. [http://www.teenagewildlife.com/info/faq/57.html]

Originally the song was written for Dana Gillespie in 1971, but her version of the song was not released until 1974 on her album "Weren't Born a Man". This version features Mick Ronson on guitar.

Other releases

* It was released as the B-Side of the single "Changes" in January 1972.
* It also appeared on the Japanese compilation "The Best of David Bowie" from 1974.

Live versions

* A version recorded Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, October 20th, 1972 was released on "Santa Monica '72".
* Bowie played this song at BBC's "Sounds of the 70s" with Bob Harris May 23rd, 1972. This was broadcast June 19th, 1972, and in 2000 released on the "Bowie at the Beeb" album

Cover versions

* Nick Cave - live recording from Melbourne, 1978.
* Eli - "Loving The Alien: Athens Georgia Salutes David Bowie" in 1998
* Naked Sun - "Naked Sun" in 1991
* Stone Temple Pilots on "Vasoline" single in 1995 (taken from their Unplugged performance)
* Treepeople on "Crash Course for the Ravers - A Tribute to the Songs of David Bowie" (1996) and later on "Guilt Regret Embarrassment" (1997)
* Tubalcain - "Goth Oddity - A Tribute to David Bowie" (1999).
* Love Outside Andromeda - From a live set on the Triple J "Like A Version" compilation (2005)
* The Metrosexuals - ".2 Contamination: A Tribute to David Bowie" (2006)
* Danny Michel - "Loving the Alien: Danny Michel Sings the Songs of David Bowie" (2004)

Other uses

* The key riff from the song also appears near the end of Metallica's song "Master of Puppets". Strictly speaking, it makes up less than half of the riff in question in that song.
* The song's riff was sampled by Rachel Stevens in the song "Funky Dory".
* John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers once claimed during one of his solo shows that the intro to the song "Under the Bridge was inspired by "Andy Warhol".