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Bowie’s iconoclastic, trailblazing career captured the cultural zeitgeist in every decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. We’ll go deep into Bowie’s songs to explore his influences, his artistic methods, his oblique lyrics and distinctive compositional approach, alongside his ever-evolving musical style. In so doing we’ll discover how Bowie’s music has both reflected and shaped each era.
What will we cover?
1. This first session will explore the period from Space Oddity (1969), through the flamboyant, sexually ambiguous glam rock years – Hunky Dory (1971,) Ziggy Stardust (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973) and Diamond Dogs (1974). We’ll analyse Bowie’s relationship to the 60s counterculture, as well as to the dizzying social and cultural changes of the 70s. Songs studied will include ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Starman’ and ‘Drive in Saturday’.
2. The second session will explore Bowie’s stylistic shift to ‘plastic soul’ – Young Americans (1975) and Station to Station (1976) – and how this captured the changing mood of the 70s. Bowie’s shift to European art-rock in his ‘Berlin period’ – Low (1977),“Heroes” (1977), Lodger (1979) and Scary Monsters (1980) – aligned him with punk and new wave and the abrupt societal shifts of the decade’s end. Songs studied will include ‘Sound and Vision’, “Heroes”, ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes’.
3. The third session will cover Bowie’s superstardom with Let’s Dance (1983), capturing the essence of the 80s. We’ll skate over his decline with Never Let Me Down (1987) and 'Tin Machine' – itself reflective of social change – to explore his 90s revival – Black Tie/White Noise (1993), Outside (1995), Earthling (1997) – and how this also related to socio-political developments. We’ll then examine Bowie’s artistic renaissance – Heathen (2002), The Next Day (2013) and Blackstar (2016) – and conclude with an assessment of his importance and influence. Songs studied will include ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Strangers When We Meet’, ‘Where are We Now?’ and ‘Blackstar’.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify what is important about Bowie in both popular music and popular culture. - Isolate several key musical ‘Bowie-isms’. - Get a handle on his dense, allusive lyrical style. - Name and explain various key influences on Bowie - Identify and explain Bowie’s own influence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for absolute beginners. However, we will be reading lyrics, watching videos and analysing Bowie’s songs – so come prepared to enjoy discussions as well as lecture-style teaching.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Sessions comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening and video. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes visit: Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Toby teaches music appreciation and history at City Lit. He is a longtime music journalist - having worked for NME, The Word, Q and The Quietus - and writer on pop culture. He is the author of the Rough Guide to Pink Floyd (2006) and Mixing Pop and Politics (2024), and a contributor to The Velvet Underground: What’s Going On (2022) and Talking Heads (2025), as well as to the journals Key Words and Red Wedge. Toby has taught at the University of Birmingham, Brunel University and Queen Mary University, and has given talks at the Barbican, the Victoria and Albert Museum (as part of David Bowie Is…) and at St George’s Hall, Blackburn.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-artists-david-bowie3015460Great artists: David Bowiehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Explore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs. </p>003015451Great artists: David Bowie7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Musicianship_for_singers-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-07-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Performing artsMD8107979Great artists: David Bowie635579Toby Manninggreat-artists-david-bowie/md810-2526<p>Explore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs. </p>0000-Available|2026-07-22 00:00:00<p>Bowie’s iconoclastic, trailblazing career captured the cultural zeitgeist in every decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. We’ll go deep into Bowie’s songs to explore his influences, his artistic methods, his oblique lyrics and distinctive compositional approach, alongside his ever-evolving musical style. In so doing we’ll discover how Bowie’s music has both reflected and shaped each era. </p><p>Explore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs. </p><p>1. This first session will explore the period from <em>Space Oddity</em> (1969), through the flamboyant, sexually ambiguous glam rock years – <em>Hunky Dory</em> (1971,) <em>Ziggy Stardust</em> (1972), <em>Aladdin Sane</em> (1973) and <em>Diamond Dogs</em> (1974). We’ll analyse Bowie’s relationship to the 60s counterculture, as well as to the dizzying social and cultural changes of the 70s. Songs studied will include ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Starman’ and ‘Drive in Saturday’.</p><p>2. The second session will explore Bowie’s stylistic shift to ‘plastic soul’ – <em>Young Americans</em> (1975) and <em>Station to Station</em> (1976) – and how this captured the changing mood of the 70s. Bowie’s shift to European art-rock in his ‘Berlin period’ – <em>Low </em>(1977),“Heroes” (1977), <em>Lodger </em>(1979) and <em>Scary Monsters</em> (1980) – aligned him with punk and new wave and the abrupt societal shifts of the decade’s end. Songs studied will include ‘Sound and Vision’, “Heroes”, ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes’. </p><p>3. The third session will cover Bowie’s superstardom with <em>Let’s Dance</em> (1983), capturing the essence of the 80s. We’ll skate over his decline with <em>Never Let Me Down</em> (1987) and 'Tin Machine' – itself reflective of social change – to explore his 90s revival – Black Tie/White Noise (1993), Outside (1995), Earthling (1997) – and how this also related to socio-political developments. We’ll then examine Bowie’s artistic renaissance – <em>Heathen </em>(2002), <em>The Next Day</em> (2013) and <em>Blackstar </em>(2016) – and conclude with an assessment of his importance and influence. Songs studied will include ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Strangers When We Meet’, ‘Where are We Now?’ and ‘Blackstar’.<br/> </p><p>- Identify what is important about Bowie in both popular music and popular culture. <br/>- Isolate several key musical ‘Bowie-isms’. <br/>- Get a handle on his dense, allusive lyrical style. <br/>- Name and explain various key influences on Bowie<br/>- Identify and explain Bowie’s own influence.</p><p>This course is suitable for absolute beginners. However, we will be reading lyrics, watching videos and analysing Bowie’s songs – so come prepared to enjoy discussions as well as lecture-style teaching.</p><p>Sessions comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening and video. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes visit: <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual637955MD810NONEWed22/07/26 - 05/08/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:003 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetToby ManningBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-22T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Performing arts7979Great artists: David Bowiegreat-artists-david-bowie/md810-2526<p>Explore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs. </p>0000-Available|2026-07-22 00:00:00<p>Bowie’s iconoclastic, trailblazing career captured the cultural zeitgeist in every decade from the 1960s to the 2010s. We’ll go deep into Bowie’s songs to explore his influences, his artistic methods, his oblique lyrics and distinctive compositional approach, alongside his ever-evolving musical style. In so doing we’ll discover how Bowie’s music has both reflected and shaped each era. </p><p>Explore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs. </p><p>1. This first session will explore the period from <em>Space Oddity</em> (1969), through the flamboyant, sexually ambiguous glam rock years – <em>Hunky Dory</em> (1971,) <em>Ziggy Stardust</em> (1972), <em>Aladdin Sane</em> (1973) and <em>Diamond Dogs</em> (1974). We’ll analyse Bowie’s relationship to the 60s counterculture, as well as to the dizzying social and cultural changes of the 70s. Songs studied will include ‘Space Oddity’, ‘Life on Mars’, ‘Starman’ and ‘Drive in Saturday’.</p><p>2. The second session will explore Bowie’s stylistic shift to ‘plastic soul’ – <em>Young Americans</em> (1975) and <em>Station to Station</em> (1976) – and how this captured the changing mood of the 70s. Bowie’s shift to European art-rock in his ‘Berlin period’ – <em>Low </em>(1977),“Heroes” (1977), <em>Lodger </em>(1979) and <em>Scary Monsters</em> (1980) – aligned him with punk and new wave and the abrupt societal shifts of the decade’s end. Songs studied will include ‘Sound and Vision’, “Heroes”, ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ and ‘Ashes to Ashes’. </p><p>3. The third session will cover Bowie’s superstardom with <em>Let’s Dance</em> (1983), capturing the essence of the 80s. We’ll skate over his decline with <em>Never Let Me Down</em> (1987) and 'Tin Machine' – itself reflective of social change – to explore his 90s revival – Black Tie/White Noise (1993), Outside (1995), Earthling (1997) – and how this also related to socio-political developments. We’ll then examine Bowie’s artistic renaissance – <em>Heathen </em>(2002), <em>The Next Day</em> (2013) and <em>Blackstar </em>(2016) – and conclude with an assessment of his importance and influence. Songs studied will include ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Strangers When We Meet’, ‘Where are We Now?’ and ‘Blackstar’.<br/> </p><p>- Identify what is important about Bowie in both popular music and popular culture. <br/>- Isolate several key musical ‘Bowie-isms’. <br/>- Get a handle on his dense, allusive lyrical style. <br/>- Name and explain various key influences on Bowie<br/>- Identify and explain Bowie’s own influence.</p><p>This course is suitable for absolute beginners. However, we will be reading lyrics, watching videos and analysing Bowie’s songs – so come prepared to enjoy discussions as well as lecture-style teaching.</p><p>Sessions comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, guided listening and video. Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via Google Classroom.</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes visit: <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
