Starman to Blackstar Edition Part 2

Starman to Blackstar Edition Part 2

From Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia by Slate Podcasts

January 30, 2026 · 57 min · Episode 264

About this episode

The episode explores the chart career of David Bowie, highlighting his ability to shift through various musical genres and commercial phases.

Chameleon: That’s long been the word used to describe David Bowie, pop music’s shapeshifting extraterrestrial. He shifted personas, genres, and looks, emerging from swinging London with psychedelic folk before steamrolling through glam rock, disco, funk, new wave, alt-rock, and even jazz. Less remarked was Bowie’s savvy about shifting through commercial phases—he wore pop stardom like a costume, too. He drifted in and out of the spotlight, and on and off the charts, before one final chart-topping farewell 10 years ago this month. Join Chris Molanphy as he takes us from station to station across the chart career of David Bowie, on a journey from Starman to Blackstar. Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for monthly early-access episodes, bonus episodes of "The Bridge," and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify . Or, visit slate.com/hitparadeplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Kevin Bendis. Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Molanphy

Topics covered

  • David Bowie
  • music history
  • pop music
  • chart career

Keywords

  • Starman
  • Blackstar
  • glam rock
  • disco
  • funk
  • new wave
  • alt-rock
  • jazz

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Starman, Blackstar, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Slate Plus

Books & works: Blackstar Edition, The Bridge

Places: London

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