We all start somewhere…David Bowie’s demo recording, 1969
I was listening to mvyradio this morning as I was working, and a cut by David Bowie caught my attention. It was a version of “Space Oddity” I had never heard before…acoustic…and very personal. Before he even started playing, you heard him quietly say “I’m a little nervous.”
What? David Bowie nervous?
Turns out it was a demo from 1969, when he was first recording. Having to convince radio stations to play his music.
The DJ commented on the song after playing it. She, too was touched by the vulnerability in his voice, and shared my thoughts:
We forget that all talented people have to start somewhere….
That we all have our moments (often more or longer than we’d like) of vulnerability, insecurity, nervousness about our art.
I need to hear about other artist’s challenges, struggles, insecurity…as well as seeing how they persevere, trust their talent, and carry on with their work.
It gives me support in doing the same.
Too often we’re shown the obvious successes, and led to believe that that’s the only story…while in reality, we know that’s only part of the story. We want the highs, of course, but we also want to know that others know the lows are a part of it too. And then the successes become even more thrilling.
There’s a beauty in David Bowie’s vulnerabilty, and in the sound of his voice as he shares that he’s nervous. It makes his singing and talent even more beautiful to me.
Coincidentally, I also found this article today about David Bowie’s first fan fan letter and his response. Same beginner’s vulnerability.
May we all retain that pure innocence of simply enjoying our art, and appreciating someone else’s recognition and pleasure in it too.
The Inner Path of Photography 