Suffragette City - David Bowie (1972) All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople (1972) 3/14/21

Wham Bam, Thank You, Ma'am!

It's a "Two-Fer" Day: Two "Great Songs of the '70s" in one blog post! David Bowie wrote and/or recorded a number of "Great Songs," and today we're highlighting TWO of his best: "Suffragette City, and "All the Young Dudes." In 1972, the British group Mott the Hoople was in financial trouble and about to break up. Bowie, who was a big fan, not only offered them "Suffragette City," but his services as a record producer. They kindly turned him down on both counts, but asked to record "All the Young Dudes." Permission granted. It became Mott the Hoople's signature song, and made it to #3 in the UK. Currently, it's ranked at #256 on Rolling Stone's list of the "Greatest Songs of All Time," and it's one of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll!" It got Mott the Hoople back on their feet and kept them from breaking up--at least right away--so obviously, they made the right choice--artistically and financially.

But back to "Suffragette City:" Bowie recorded it in 1972 for his "Ziggy Starbust" album, and it was released as the "B'" side of the single "Starman," which charted in several countries--including the US, where it peaked at #19 on Billboard's Rock Chart. Unfortunately, not many radio stations flipped the single over to play "Suffragette City." RCA Records, however, never gave up on the song. In 1976, it was added to Bowie's compilation album, "ChangesOneBowie" and re-issued as the "A" side of a single (backed with "Stay.") This time...well...it failed to chart again. BUT over the past 45 years, this perfect combination of glam rock, hard rock and proto-punk has become a staple on Classic Rock radio stations world wide! I've said it many times: "It doesn't have to be a chart-topper to be a "Great Song," and that is certainly the case with "Suffragette City." CRANK IT UP! David Bowie "Suffragette City" (1972-75):

Mott the Hoople "All the Young Dudes" (1972):