Studio Album · No. 4
Hunky Dory Songwriting Credits by David Bowie
Produced by Ken Scott, David Bowie · Engineered by Ken Scott
Holds writing credit on 10 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 11 documented
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether David Bowie carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
David Bowie wrote ten of the eleven songs on Hunky Dory, with the sole exception being "Fill Your Heart," composed by Biff Rose and Paul Williams. The album is among his most personal and literate sets, featuring tributes to Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, and the Velvet Underground's Lou Reed. Bowie co-produced with engineer Ken Scott, and pianist Rick Wakeman supplied much of the record's distinctive keyboard work.
David Bowie's Hunky Dory, released December 17, 1971 on RCA Records, is widely considered the first masterwork of his career: a lush, piano-led art-pop album produced by Ken Scott and featuring Mick Ronson's arrangements alongside Rick Wakeman on piano. Bowie wrote all but one track, with ten originals spanning from the glam-rock premonition of 'Changes' and 'Oh! You Pretty Things' to the cinematic orchestral sweep of 'Life on Mars?,' consistently cited among the greatest songs ever written. Songs dedicated to Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, and Lou Reed show Bowie's deep engagement with avant-garde culture, while personal cuts like 'Kooks' (written for his newborn son Zowie) and 'The Bewlay Brothers' reveal the more intimate, confessional songwriter beneath the theatrics. Rick Wakeman's piano contributions on 'Life on Mars?' and 'Changes' are among the most celebrated session performances in rock history. With Hunky Dory, Bowie's authorship score solidified: he would write virtually every significant piece of material on every album for the rest of his career.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Changes
#66
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 2 |
Oh! You Pretty Things
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 3 |
Eight Line Poem
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 4 |
Life on Mars?
#3
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 5 |
Kooks
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 6 |
Quicksand
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 7 |
Fill Your Heart
|
Biff RosePaul Williams | Biff RosePaul Williams | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 8 |
Andy Warhol
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 9 |
Song for Bob Dylan
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 10 |
Queen Bitch
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |
| 11 |
The Bewlay Brothers
|
David Bowie | David Bowie | Ken ScottDavid Bowie | David Bowie (Vocals) |