Studio Album · No. 26
Blackstar Songwriting Credits by David Bowie
Produced by Tony Visconti · Engineered by Tony Visconti, Kevin Killen, Tom Elmhirst
Holds writing credit on 7 of 7 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 7 / 7 documented
Scored across the 7 tracks with documented writers, by whether David Bowie carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 7 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Awards & Recognition 5
Blackstar was written by David Bowie and recorded with the New York jazz quartet led by saxophonist Donny McCaslin, alongside Jason Lindner, Tim Lefebvre, and Mark Guiliana. Bowie wrote all the songs himself except 'Sue (Or in a Season of Crime),' co-written with Maria Schneider, Paul Bateman, and Bob Bhamra, and produced the record with Tony Visconti. Released on his 69th birthday and two days before his death from cancer in January 2016, it was his 26th and final studio album, widely read as a parting work.
David Bowie's Blackstar (stylized ★), released January 8, 2016, his 69th birthday and two days before his death from liver cancer, is the final album of his career and widely regarded as one of the most extraordinary final artistic statements in rock history. Bowie wrote all seven tracks, recorded in New York with a jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Donny McCaslin that gave the album an improvisational, avant-garde quality unlike anything in his catalog. The extended title track 'Blackstar' (9:57) opens the album, followed by the hauntingly prescient 'Lazarus', whose video, featuring Bowie in a hospital bed, now reads as a direct goodbye, and 'Dollar Days' and 'I Can't Give Everything Away,' which many interpret as farewells. The album debuted at number one in over thirty countries. Donny McCaslin, drummer Mark Guiliana, bassist Tim Lefebvre, and guitarist Ben Monder deliver performances of extraordinary depth throughout. Blackstar completes one of the most consistent songwriting bodies of work in popular music, from his 1967 debut to his final release, David Bowie authored virtually every note and word.
Track Listing & Credits 7 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Blackstar
#61
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals)Donny McCaslin (Saxophone)Mark Guiliana (Drums) |
| 2 |
'Tis a Pity She Was a Whore
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Lazarus
#45
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Girl Loves Me
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Dollar Days
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 7 |
I Can't Give Everything Away
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Tony Visconti | David Bowie (Vocals) |