Suffragette City

When you dive into *Suffragette City*, you encounter a raw and direct energy, almost as if it were captured in the perfect moment. The rhythmic foundation, with that pattern that feels a bit off-kilter but hooks you, makes you think of the influence of more visceral rock. The way the sound was constructed, especially the piano riff, has that spark of 1950s rock and roll, but with a twist that makes it sound completely modern for its time. And that catchy phrase, "wham bam, thank you, ma'am!", sticks with you instantly.

This song was conceived at a key moment for David Bowie, right at the end of the recording sessions for his album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. They recorded it in February 1972 at Trident Studios in London, along with his band, the Spiders from Mars, which included Mick Ronson on guitar and Mick Woodmansey on drums. Before Bowie recorded it, he offered it to the band Mott the Hoople, but they opted for another song by the Englishman, *All the Young Dudes*. What's interesting is that, despite its power, it was originally released as the B-side of the single *Starman* in April 1972, and later, in 1976, it was reissued as a single to promote a compilation.