The occasion for the glittering array of rock royalty above was a “retirement” party for Ziggy Stardust at the Café Royal, London in July 1973 (also known as The Last Supper). No doubt Lou and David are discussing heroin and eyeliner while Mick is supressing an urge for a Mars Bar. But who is the young lady on the right playing with David’s hair? Why it’s none other than wee Scottish popster Lulu who looks about as out of place as a pork pie at a Bar Mitzvah.

Bowie thought Lulu was a “great little artiste” and when they got chatting at the party he invited her down to the Chateau d’Herouville in France where he was recording his “Pin Ups” album with the idea of them making a record together. The result was a Lulu single with Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World” on the A-side and “Watch That Man” on the flip. The glamtastic version of the former gives you an idea of what it would have sounded like if it had been on the Ziggy album. Instead of the spacey folk of the original this is a chunky stomper featuring Mick Ronson on guitar and Bowie’s honking, nasal sax playing (he’s singing backing vocals too). I’m not sure Lulu understands what the song is about, but then again I’m not sure anybody does.

This was the first version of the song I ever heard and I have vivid memories of Lulu singing it on Top of The Pops trying her best to look moody and androgynous in a suit and fedora. This clip is from the German TV show Musikladen but it’s the same outfit. They should bring back suits for women, that Yves Saint Laurent look was very sexy.

I like the fact that Bowie has never been afraid to spend his artistic credibility working with acts that aren’t exactly, shall we say, trendy, like Lulu, Queen and Bing Crosby. Much as I love him, somehow I can’t imagine Bryan Ferry working with Cilla Black on a cover of “Do The Strand”.

Download: The Man Who Sold The World – Lulu (mp3)
Buy: “Oh! You Pretty Things: The Songs Of David Bowie (album)