Music video by David Bowie performing The Stars (Are Out Tonight). (c) 2013 ISO Records, under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment
What would it sound like if the late, great Billy Mackenzie — who covered Boys Keep Swinging weeks after it was released — pre-covered the forthcoming David Bowie single? A tribute to them both by Momus and Rick Morris.
On January 8th 2013, Momus covered David Bowie’s single Where Are We Now the day it came out. This time he’s gone one better: he’s covered the new single, The Stars (Are Out Tonight) on the day it’s announced, and nine days before the actual record is unveiled to the world. Obviously this is a stab in the dark; thank God the stars are out! (Lyrics below.)
Idolatry isn’t what it used to be
Not since they miniaturised God you see
Kid’s got talent like my bed’s got styrofoam
I know it’s true, I’ve seen it on my telephone
Tommy’s talent is the spoken word
He takes a diamond
Turns that jewel into a turd
Turns that jewel into a turdThe stars are out tonight
We have been robbed of lightThe ordinary isn’t where it used to be
Since it became the new extraordinary
Maggie Thatcher (no relation) does melisma-like vibration
She can string a syllable so far it’s criminalThe stars are out tonight
We have been robbed of lightJackie’s face is long
Her ten seconds of fame are gone
And now I hear she is
A ScientologistWe have been robbed of light
The stars are out tonightThe stars…
New Music United 