David Bowie’s ‘Word on a Wing’ – Deep Cut Friday
- Released on January 23,1976,David Bowie's Station to Station bridged the gap between his Philadelphia soul explorations and the forthcoming Berlin-era art rock.
- "Word on a Wing" stands out as the least performed of the album's five original songs during Bowie's career and currently receives the fewest streams of the album's...
- Bowie began wearing a silver crucifix, a gift from his father, around this time.
David Bowie’s “Word on a Wing” – A Deep Cut from Station to Station
Released on January 23,1976,David Bowie’s Station to Station bridged the gap between his Philadelphia soul explorations and the forthcoming Berlin-era art rock. The album marked a creative peak for Bowie,but emerged from a period of intense personal struggle,marked by cocaine addiction,paranoia,and a concerning physical state. He also adopted the persona of the thin White Duke, a move that drew criticism for its perceived fascist imagery.
“Word on a Wing” stands out as the least performed of the album’s five original songs during Bowie’s career and currently receives the fewest streams of the album’s six tracks. Despite its relative obscurity, the song is a powerful and vulnerable expression of faith, representing a rare moment of sincere contemplation on God and organized religion for the artist.
Bowie began wearing a silver crucifix, a gift from his father, around this time. Musically, “Word on a Wing” is a notable collaboration with Roy Bittan of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, featuring a simple yet effective piano and vocal arrangement. Bowie was known to be an early admirer of Springsteen’s work.