David Bowie’s “Golden Years” remains one of his most recognizable songs 51 years after it was released, and its story has an unusual connection to Elvis Presley.
The song, released by RCA Records on Nov. 21, 1975, was reportedly written with Presley in mind. The King of Rock and Roll never recorded it, and Bowie eventually kept the song for himself.
“Golden Years” became a major hit for Bowie. It reached No. 8 on the U.K. Singles Chart and No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 6 in the Netherlands and No. 9 in Ireland. The song later became a regular part of Bowie’s catalog and appeared on several greatest-hits and compilation albums.
David Bowie poses for a portrait in 1976.Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The story behind the song has remained interesting because Bowie deeply admired Presley. Both singers were signed to RCA Records when “Golden Years” was being developed, creating a possible path for the two stars to work together.
According to David Buckley’s biography Strange Fascination: David Bowie, the Definitive Story, Presley had heard some of Bowie’s demos. Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, believed Bowie could write songs for Presley. The two artists’ offices were in contact, but the proposed collaboration never happened.
Bowie recalled the missed opportunity.
“Apparently, Elvis heard the demos because we were both on RCA, and Colonel Tom thought I should write some Elvis songs,” Bowie said, per American Songwriter. “There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass. I would have loved working with him. God, I would have adored it.”
Bowie wrote “Golden Years” in 1975, before recording sessions for his tenth studio album, Station to Station. The song was the first track completed for the album after recording began at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles in September 1975.
The story of whether the song was actually presented to Presley is not completely settled. Bowie’s biographers said it was supposedly written for Presley, who turned it down. Bowie himself remembered that the two sides had been in contact.
Bowie also remembered receiving a short note from Presley.
“He did send me a note once,” Bowie said. “[That said], ‘All the best, and have a great tour.’ I still have that one.”
Bowie kept the note for the rest of his life.
However, music writer Chris O’Leary stated that “Golden Years” was never actually presented to Presley because negotiations with Colonel Tom Parker stalled, Collider reported.
There are also other claims about who inspired the song. Bowie’s first wife, Angie Bowie, said David wrote it for her. Bowie’s girlfriend at the time, Ava Cherry, also believed she was the inspiration.
Despite the different stories surrounding its origin, the Elvis connection is easy to hear in Bowie’s performance. The song begins with a low, smooth vocal style that recalls Presley’s approach. Bowie used that influence while giving the track his own funk-driven sound.
“Golden Years” was recorded quickly. Producer Harry Maslin said that the track was “cut and finished very fast” and that the team knew it was right within 10 days.
The recording featured Bowie on lead and backing vocals, handclaps, melodica and Moog synthesizer. Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick played guitar, George Murray played bass, Dennis Davis played drums, and Warren Peace contributed percussion and backing vocals. Bowie and Maslin produced the track.
The song was released as the lead single from Station to Station while the album was still being completed. Its success helped continue the momentum of “Fame,” Bowie’s 1975 collaboration with John Lennon that had reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
“Golden Years” also survived far beyond its original release. Bowie performed it on several later tours, including the 1983 Serious Moonlight tour, the 1990 Sound+Vision tour and the 2000 Mini tour. It was included on numerous compilation albums and later appeared in films and soundtracks.
More than five decades after its release, “Golden Years” remains an important part of David Bowie’s musical legacy.
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