The making Of Hunky Dory Part 2: Song By Song

Ken Sharp continues the inside story of David Bowie’s classic 1971 album.

Changes

David Bowie: This album is full of my changes and those of some of my friends. (Record company press release, 1971)

Woody Woodmansey (drums, Hunky Dory): I remember thinking Changes was a song we could play like Harry Connick Jr if we didn’t do it properly (laughs). You know, doing it so it sounds like it’s done in a lounge somewhere. We pulled it out of the lounge and rocked it enough so it was rocky and fit the rest of the stuff we were doing.

Laurence Myers (CEO of Gem, Bowie’s production company): My contribution to Hunky Dory was that I picked Changes as the single. I still think it’s one of the best songs he ever wrote. In the early days, David was never a huge record seller. Huge fame and huge appreciation but, compared to other artists, their albums were selling a lot more.

Bob Grace (general manager and founder of Chrysalis Music, 1969-72): Changes wasn’t a hit, it was a turntable hit. But it was a bit like John the Baptist for Jesus, it made a lot of noise and got him back in the papers again.

Trevor Bolder (bass, Hunky Dory): All the stuff off Hunky Dory was great to play on stage. The first gig we did was at the Friar’s Club in Aylesbury when Hunky Dory …

by Ken Sharp
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