Bowiesplaining

Erik & Dan
  • 4.3 (6)
  • Music History
  • Updated Monthly

Does this sound familiar? You've listened to David Bowie's music, but you never really connected with it. Maybe you've tried a few Best-Of compilations. Maybe you watched Labyrinth and wanted to know more about Gareth's, um, area. And that leaves you feeling frustrated, like you're missing out on something truly special. It's time to put an end to that disappointment and join us on the Bowiesplaining podcast, where we delve into the world of Bowie with engaging and humorous discussions that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for his music. A Bowie enthusiast and a novice embark on a hilarious odyssey through David Bowie's catalog, with the diehard fan's encyclopedic knowledge leading to comical corrections and the rookie's goal of exploring the iconic artist's music creating a delightful clash of expertise and discovery.

  1. Oct 4

    Black Tie White Noise: Side A

    Back to Bowie Bye bye, Tin Machine. And sorry for the Tin Machine 2 lover out there. We're heading back to the man himself as he resumes exploration. Time for another Side A! BTWN is a turn away from pop and back into synths and weird stuff. But maybe not so alienating. What was happening to Bowie at the time? What was happening in the world in the 1990s? I bet the answers will lead to some sort of music. Try it. You'll like it. And then we'll get to the album itself next time. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

  2. Jul 18

    Tin Machine: Side B

    Tin Machine Side B! We return to Tin Machine to go track by track. Then we did it. If you haven't picked up on this, neither of us really care for this album. So of course you want to listen to this episode! If you want to hear us talk about a thing, this is your episode. Jump on in the pool. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

    Tin Machine: Side B

  3. Jun 20

    Tin Machine: Side A

    TIN MACHINE We're finally here. Bowie starts a new band. Let's get the lowdown on how this came to pass before we start plowing through these songs. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

    Tin Machine: Side A

  4. May 4

    Labyrinth: The Crossover

    Labyrinth This show is a show we recorded a long time ago and for some reason decided to tag onto the front of. That's not a good sentence. Do you like Labyrinth? You should. Here's a show about it. If you want more of these cool people, listen to Scraping the Vault. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

  5. Mar 27

    Never Let Me Down

    Episode Notes Notes go here I have to be honest here. You're just going to have to trust me on this recap below. I mean, I love spending time with Dan talking about Bowie stuff, but this album is not going to be on the top of my list. I was proud I brought up some stuff that Dan didn't think about, so that's something. Here you go. It's us talking. You know how this works by now. Heck, as I write this, several you just finished listening to our last episode. We hope this suffices. Erik is the host for some reason. You know what? Just assume we talked about the album for a while. Peter Frampton is on this one. Bowie isn't quite sure what he is trying to do again. He will get back to the good stuff someday. Some people really like this. So there's that. I'm going to bed. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

  6. Jan 7

    Tonight: Both of the Sides

    Beyond the Flush: Tonight Notes go here In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how David Bowie’s Tonight album reshaped his sound and what it reveals about his artistic evolution in the 1980s. Uncover the unique creative spark that ignited when Iggy Pop and David Bowie joined forces, changing the rock scene forever. Explore how MTV revolutionized music in the 1980s by transforming artist visibility and fan engagement in ways still felt today. Analyze the cultural industry’s influence on music production and distribution, revealing the forces shaping the sounds we love. Trace the surprising roots of reggae influences in rock music to understand how genre blending expanded musical boundaries in the 1980s. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Introduction and Performance Setup for David Bowie’s Tonight Album  00:01:06 - Theoretical Framework: Culture Industry and Critical Theory Context  00:04:31 - Star Wars vs Star Trek Metaphor: Capitalism and Post-Capitalist Desire in Music  00:05:36 - Historical Context of Bowie’s Tonight Album: Contractual Obligation and Creative Disengagement  00:11:41 - Iggy Pop’s Influence and Capitalist Industry Pressures on Bowie’s Sound  00:17:01 - MTV Capitalism and the Shift to Visual Music Marketing  00:22:29 - Understanding the Culture Industry and Its Impact on Individuality  00:28:06 - Creative Expression as Natural Metaphor: The Toilet Analogy  00:30:41 - Bowie vs. Iggy: Raw Emotion and Artistic Authenticity  00:32:10 - MTV’s Limitations: Processing Surface-Level Artistry Over Depth  00:33:11 - Marx’s Metaphor of Plumbing and Capitalism in Culture  00:35:59 - Theodor Adorno on Fetishization of Culture and False Freedom  00:38:24 - Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari on Desire and Systemic Blockages  00:39:35 - Analyzing the Album’s Artistic Intent and Production Challenges  00:47:21 - Musical Elements and Initial Reception of the Album’s Opening Track  00:48:59 - Exploring the Meaning Behind "Loving the Alien" Lyrics  00:53:17 - Analyzing "Don't Look Down" and Its Musical Impact  00:55:49 - Comparing "God Only Knows": Bowie's Cover vs. Iggy Pop's Original  01:03:17 - The Energy and Authenticity of "Neighborhood Threat,"  01:05:28 - Reflections on Collaboration and Album Cohesion  01:05:50 - Exploring David Bowie’s “Lust For Life” and “Blue Jean,” Songwriting & Video Insights  01:08:14 - Deep Dive into “Tumble and Twirl” and Borneo Horns Collaboration  01:11:48 - Critiquing Bowie’s Cover and Original Track Interpretations  01:14:17 - The Impact of Fairlight Keyboard and 80s Production on Bowie’s Music  01:21:43 - Evaluating David Bowie’s Later Albums and Their Reception  01:24:42 - Philosophical Metaphors on Failure and Desire in Bowie’s Music  01:26:58 - Predicting Changes in Bowie’s Music and Industry Impact in the Late 1980s  01:29:29 - Navigating Bowie’s Tin Machine Era and Next Listening Options  01:31:19 - Wrapping Up the Episode and Future Podcast Plans This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

  7. Jan 7

    Let's Dance: Side B

    Episode Notes Notes go here In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album reshaped 80s music with its unique blend of styles and cultural vibes. Uncover the profound impact AIDS had on queer musicians and how it transformed the music scene and artist representation. Dive into the Cat People soundtrack to explore how its haunting sounds captured the mood of 80s cinema and musical trends. Explore how Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar genius influenced the direction and soul of 80s rock and blues music. Compare original songs and their covers to understand how reinterpretations can redefine a track’s meaning and audience appeal. The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Introduction and Context on Bowie’s Album “Let’s Dance”  00:04:00 - Exploring Bowie’s Shift to Pop and Production Changes  00:08:30 - Analysis of “Modern Love” and Bowie’s Artistic Intentions  00:13:00 - The Role of Production and Pop Music Craftsmanship  00:16:30 - Self-Awareness and Artistic Tension in Bowie’s Pop Era  00:17:13 - Embracing Imperfect Performances and Audience Dynamics  00:18:42 - Exploring the Nuances and Controversies of “China Girl”  00:21:00 - Behind the Scenes: Drive-In Theater Memories and Problematic Media  00:27:15 - Marketing Insights: “Don’t Sell the Steak, Sell the Sizzle” Applied to Niche Media  00:30:00 - Lyric Analysis of “China Girl” Reveals Darker Themes  00:34:47 - Exploring Dark Themes and Symbolism in Classic Music Videos  00:45:51 - Clinical Perspective on Iconic Bowie Tracks and Karaoke Challenges  00:48:14 - Contrasting Popular Hits with Less Engaging Bowie Songs  00:52:17 - Analyzing the Unsettling Atmosphere of “Ricochet” and Bowie’s Artistic Choices  00:44:27 - Perspectives on Anime Culture and Its Influence  00:54:18 - Analyzing the Complexities of David Bowie’s Song Ricochet  00:57:52 - The Influence of David Sylvian and Holger Czukay on Bowie’s Sound  01:01:05 - Bowie's "Criminal World": Queer Themes and Cover Song Comparisons  01:06:09 - Rediscovering Metro’s Original "Criminal World" and Its Impact  01:13:45 - Frustrations with Bowie’s “Cat People” and Movie Tie-Ins  01:19:48 - Byron Allen’s Surprising Media Success and Interview Style  01:23:05 - Bowie’s 1980s Pop Star Identity and Major Commercial Success  01:27:24 - Narrative Arcs in Bowie’s Career: From “Let’s Dance” to “Black Tie White Noise,”  01:31:01 - Exploring Iconic Tracks and Artist Covers  01:33:15 - Deep Dive into David Bowie's "Loving the Alien" and 80s Music Reflections  01:34:02 - Anticipation and Listener Connection with the Show’s Music Content  01:34:52 - Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Podcast Plans  01:35:31 - Friendly Farewell and Podcast Sign-Off Tips This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

  8. 10/17/2025

    Let's Dance: Side A

    Let's Dance: Art Rock to Arena In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how the Let’s Dance album reshaped David Bowie’s sound and sparked a new wave in 1980s pop culture. Explore Bowie’s career evolution to understand how he kept reinventing himself and staying relevant through the decade. Wonder why Stevie Ray Vaughn is on this album. Find out what Dan loves about this album maybe. The key moments in this episode are: 00:06:32 - Historical Context and Bowie’s Career Popularity  00:10:02 - Album Artwork and Symbolism Discussion  00:14:05 - Bowie's Transition Toward Mainstream Success  00:24:29 - Comparing “Let’s Dance” to “Young Americans”: Production and Artistic Intent  00:29:43 - From Disco to Corporate Funk: Evolution of Dance Music and Cultural Shifts  00:38:43 - MTV’s Role in Music Industry Transformation and Marginalization  00:42:06 - The Shift to Singles and Pop’s Commercial Pressures in the 1980s  00:50:03 - The Appeal and Reality of Arena Shows for Legacy Artists  01:04:34 - Exploring Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Impact on David Bowie’s Album  01:13:39 - Young Americans Album’s Underrated Brilliance and R&B Influence  01:16:31 - Navigating Bowie’s 1980s Albums: Hits, Misses, and Artistic Context  01:22:04 - Tony Visconti’s Replacement and Production Dynamics  01:33:07 - Discussing Music Criticism and Personal Tastes  01:36:46 - Exploring David Bowie’s Persona and Artistic Values  01:38:25 - Analyzing the Themes and Ironies in Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” Album  01:43:05 - Emotional Response and Critique of Bowie’s Glossy Hits and Album Cohesion  01:47:22 - Critical Review of Specific Tracks and Musical Experimentation on the Album  01:53:02 - David Bowie’s Collaboration with Queen Explored  01:54:15 - Patreon Challenges and Future Content Plans  This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

See All (38)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Does this sound familiar? You've listened to David Bowie's music, but you never really connected with it. Maybe you've tried a few Best-Of compilations. Maybe you watched Labyrinth and wanted to know more about Gareth's, um, area. And that leaves you feeling frustrated, like you're missing out on something truly special. It's time to put an end to that disappointment and join us on the Bowiesplaining podcast, where we delve into the world of Bowie with engaging and humorous discussions that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for his music. A Bowie enthusiast and a novice embark on a hilarious odyssey through David Bowie's catalog, with the diehard fan's encyclopedic knowledge leading to comical corrections and the rookie's goal of exploring the iconic artist's music creating a delightful clash of expertise and discovery.

Information

  • Creator
    Erik & Dan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026
  • Show Website
    Bowiesplaining