Quicksand (David Bowie song)
"Quicksand" is a song written by English singer-songwriter David Bowie and released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. It was recorded on 14 July 1971 at Trident Studios in London.[1] This ballad features multi-tracked acoustic guitars and a string arrangement by Mick Ronson. Producer Ken Scott, having recently engineered George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass, attempted to create a similarly powerful acoustic sound with this track.[2]
"Quicksand" | |
---|---|
Song by David Bowie | |
from the album Hunky Dory | |
Released | 17 December 1971 |
Recorded | 14 July 1971 |
Studio | Trident, London |
Genre | Art rock, folk rock |
Length | 5:03 |
Label | RCA |
Songwriter(s) | David Bowie |
Producer(s) | Ken Scott, David Bowie |
Lyrically the song, like much of Bowie's work at this time, was influenced by Buddhism, occultism, and Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the Superman.[3] It refers to the magical society Golden Dawn and name-checks one of its most famous members, Aleister Crowley, as well as Heinrich Himmler, Winston Churchill and Juan Pujol (codename: Garbo).[4]
Reception
NME editors Roy Carr and Charles Shaar Murray have described it as "Bowie in his darkest and most metaphysical mood",[3] while a contemporary review in Rolling Stone remarked on its "superb singing" and "beautiful guitar motif from Mick Ronson".[5]
Marilyn Manson has stated that "Quicksand" and Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" are his favorite songs.[6]
Other releases
- It was released as the B-side of the single "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" in April 1974.
- RCA included the song in the picture disc set Life Time.
- A studio demo version of the song was released as a bonus track on the Rykodisc release of Hunky Dory in 1990.
Personnel
- David Bowie – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Mick Ronson – acoustic guitars, Mellotron, string arrangement
- Trevor Bolder – bass
- Mick Woodmansey – drums
- Rick Wakeman – piano
Notes
- Kevin Cann (2010). Any Day Now - David Bowie: The London Years: 1947-1974: pp.223-224
- David Buckley (1999). Strange Fascination - David Bowie: The Definitive Story: p.115
- Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.41
- David Sheppard (2007). "Wishful Beginnings", MOJO 60 Years of Bowie: p.24
- John Mendelsohn (6 January 1972). "Hunky Dory". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 27, 2007.
- Scaggs, Austin (October 14, 2004). "Q&A: Marilyn Manson". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
References
Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5