Moonage Daydream

When you dive into *Moonage Daydream*, you encounter a song that transports you directly into Ziggy Stardust's orbit. It's not just a track; it's the very introduction of this character, described as a rock superstar, a bisexual alien on a mission to save Earth from impending disaster. The music envelops you with melodic and harmonic hooks, and the percussion and guitar have an air that recalls heavy metal, but with a distinctive touch. In this version, David Bowie handles the saxophone, while Mick Ronson contributes a guitar solo and a string arrangement that become key points of the piece.

The story of *Moonage Daydream* has two important chapters. The first time it was recorded was in February 1971, at Radio Luxembourg studios in London, and it was released as a single under the name Arnold Corns. However, it was the re-recording for the album *The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars* in November 1971, with the participation of Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, and Mick Woodmansey, that truly captured the essence. This version, co-produced by Ken Scott, became a pillar of glam rock. The idea for the song arose during a promotional tour by Bowie in the United States in early 1971. It was written with costume designer Freddie Burretti in mind, whom Bowie had hired to be the main figure of Arnold Corns, although Burretti did not participate in the recordings. The original version, according to some biographers, had a science fiction chorus and less memorable verses, with a vocal arrangement that sounded almost suffering. The later version, with revised lyrics and what was called the "Ziggy treatment," transformed into a shining jewel within the context of the album. Mick Ronson's iconic guitar solo on this song was recognized, appearing on lists of the best guitar solos.