A live performance of Moonage Daydream from David Bowie sounded very different thanks to Pink Floyd.
Backed by his band, the Arnold Corns, Bowie brought Moonage Daydream to the stage for the first time and was met with lukewarm response. The band were named after the Pink Floyd song Arnold Layne and though his collaborations with the band were short-lived, it marks an intense period of influence for Bowie. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars mastermind had hoped the influence of Pink Floyd would rub off on him, if this early version of Moonage Daydream is to be believed. The song would be reworked into the glam rock final cut it is known for, but not before some heavy changes to how it sounded.
Fans have suggested this early version with the Arnold Corns group is far superior to the album version. The band would feature Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, Mick Woodmansey on drums, and Mark Carr Pritchard on guitar. Just three songs were released by the band and Bowie, with Moonage Daydream featuring on an EP with Hang Onto Yourself and Man in the Middle.
In an upload of the song to YouTube, listeners considered it to be a rarity worth hearing from Bowie. It’s a very different vocal and a sparse instrumental section makes this quite the different sound. One fan wrote: “I love both versions! This one is a treasure!”
Another added: “My favourite version – first heard it on The Man Who Sold the World tape with extra songs. I really like the lyrics of the second verse.” A third shared: “This version is so much heavier and emotionally draining… Which I like!”
Others have suggested the Arnold Corns line-up is an early version of the band which would catapult Bowie to fame. One fan shared: “Remember kids, this is the Spiders plus Freddie Burretti and Mark Carr-Pritchard. It’s the Spiders before the Spiders! This was written and released before the tracks on the LP in their new finished glory. Stunningly great times to be alive.”
Another added: “Everyone has their own taste, and personally I love all the versions of this classic song, with the different lyrics, musical and vocal additions, and arrangements. So much to play around with, and it always sounds great. From small A. Corns such as these mighty Ziggy did grow. Amazing!”
Other listeners believe the drums make all the difference for this version of Moonage Daydream. One fan wrote: “Thanks, not wanting to start any fights but always preferred this one to the Ziggy album version, had it on the Ryko late eighties Man Who Sold the World rerelease. Love the drums at the beginning.” You can listen to the early version of Moonage Daydream below.
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