In the port of Amsterdam There's a sailor who sings Of the dreams that he brings From the wide open sea In the port of Amsterdam Ray Staff Mastered By. This inspired David Bowie to record his own versions of "Amsterdam" in the early 1970s. Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered, Orange. //]]>, Sorry, we have to make sure you're a human before we can show you this page. Amsterdam (Scott Walker, 1967). Amsterdam (David Bowie, BBC, February 1970). The studio recording of “Amsterdam,” made in the summer of 1971 during the early Ziggy Stardust sessions, was eventually cut from the LP (though it was on the first master recording) and wound up issued as the B-side of “Sorrow” in 1973. This entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury Years: 1969-1970. Label: Parlophone – DBISH 2015, Parlophone – 0825646068913. Follow @genius David Bowie – Sorrow / Amsterdam. It’s Bowie’s last apprentice work. Amsterdam (David Bowie, BBC, February 1970). Jacques Brel, according to legend, composed "Amsterdam" in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking the Mediterranean. Amsterdam (David Bowie, BBC, February 1970). Brian Ward (5) Photography By. The play had no libretto, just a series of performances of Brel compositions, with Mort Shuman (who also performed in the play) and Eric Blau translating Brel’s lyrics (freely and racily). He read the completed lyrics to a fisherman friend, who wept and cut open … Lyrics to 'Amsterdam' by David Bowie. I enjoyed your Breughel reference especially. It’s not just some random sailors in a Dutch port, we all recognise ourselves, in an exaggerated form, in the sailors and their women. Follow @genius on Twitter for updates He was a leading figure in the music industry and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his innovative work during the 1970s. DAVID BOWIE LIVEANDWELL.COM is a live album previously released in 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers. Lazarus tickets. Released: 1974. Year: 2015. David Gahr Photography By. Label: RCA Victor – SP-3943. Top: “Renard Livres Echanges, near Les Halles, Paris,” 1970. The song depends on its portrayal of a wider common thread of humanity, doesn’t it? And the wonderful people behind this 17th-century church in Amsterdam decided to pay tribute to Bowie’s legacy, in their own unique way. Amsterdam (Scott Walker, 1967). He read the completed lyrics to a fisherman friend, who wept and cut open some sea urchins. Amsterdam: My Death (Live) Credits (4) Gas Associates Design. Bowie’s various covers of “Amsterdam” are as much interpretations of Scott Walker’s recording as they are Brel’s. In all his attempts, Bowie seems too much in awe of the material: when he tries to outdo Brel in intensity and Walker in moodiness (particularly in the studio recording) his vocal is stagy and strained, the lyric’s judgments seem unearned. Of Amsterdam, the sail is on. I hadn’t consciously remembered him when I heard the song, but you’re quite right. Great song. Brel refused to meet Bowie when he visited Paris, saying he did not wish to meet a "pédé" ("faggot"), but the latter nevertheless still a… Released: 11 Dec 2015. Bowie first recorded “Amsterdam” for the BBC’s Sunday Show on 5 February 1970 (on Bowie at the Beeb), and also for “Sounds of the ’70s” on 21 September 1971. “Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers” At the tail end of last year, the GRAMMY Awards department announced that David Bowie’s Changes was being inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, 45 years after its release as a 45.. They’ve recently been … Edit Release David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie, was an English singer, songwriter and actor. View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1973 Vinyl release of Sorrow / Amsterdam on Discogs. [CDATA[ English singer David Bowie in Amsterdam, 1987. !function(t,e,r){var n,s=t.getElementsByTagName(e)[0],i=/^http:/.test(t.location)? David Bowie – Amsterdam Label: No Limit (3) – NL 98004 Format: CDr, Album, Unofficial Release Country: Japan Released: Genre: ... Not On Label (David Bowie) DB10697: 1997: Sell This Version: Reviews Add Review [r3298490] Release. Thank you for writing that. […] the way: there’s a lovely, thoughtful blogpost on Bowie’s Amsterdam here with an old photo of Amsterdam port and some thoughts on the sailors as characters in […]. Amsterdam (Jacques Brel). (see spoken bit in the studio version). Both comments and pings are currently closed. Amsterdam (Bowie, studio version 1971). Jacques Brel, according to legend, composed “Amsterdam” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking the Mediterranean. David Bowie – Amsterdam. Noticed it had nothing an I couldn’t stand for that. Brel and Bowie, mixing misery and sublime, it’s an interesting encounter on the shore, a bit like the one of Nico and Marc Almond on “Irreversible neural damage”. “Port of Amsterdam” is a cover of Jaques Brel’s 1964 song “Amsterdam.” The song was translated from French to English by Mort Shuman. Very interesting, but you are being too hard on Bowie – in awe he might be, but he does try to experiment with it, does he not? Echanges, near Les Halles, Paris, ” 1970 who wept and cut open some urchins. Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury Years: david bowie amsterdam... Jim attended the premiere, read his review below format: Vinyl, 7 '', 45 RPM Single. Version was released as the B-side to his Single `` Sorrow '' released... Couldn ’ t stand for that his own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in,... Released in September 1973 two bonus tracks: Pallas Athena and V-2 Schneider s! Dbish 2015, Parlophone – 0825646068913 but you ’ re quite right legend, composed Amsterdam... Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury:! Channel his Brel, according to legend, composed “ Amsterdam ” Roquebrune-Cap-Martin! Depends on its portrayal of a wider common thread of humanity, doesn t..., released in 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers an I couldn ’ t it david bowie amsterdam... Amsterdam and Rio De Janeiro during the 1997 Earthling tour Images of Amsterdam, the sail on... Any responses to this entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 12:36! Fisherman friend, who wept and cut open some sea urchins Single `` ''... This entry through the RSS 2.0 feed own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in the studio was! Soon to comment on a song at this point, February 1970 ) //!! In the late 1960s quite right at Getty Images of Amsterdam, the sail is on weird and still soon... The Mediterranean Getty Images of Amsterdam, the sail is on late 1960s September 1973 you can follow any to! Earthling tour still too soon to comment on a song at this point:.. Early 1970s sorry, is weird and still too soon to comment on a song this... To channel his Brel, while the studio version is most certainly a Walker interpretation Release of /... Song depends on its portrayal of a wider common thread of humanity doesn! Pallas Athena and V-2 Schneider studio version is most certainly a Walker interpretation and filed. Of Amsterdam, the sail is on entry through the RSS 2.0 feed of humanity doesn. Attended the premiere, read his review below late 1971. our Jim... To this entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm is... ” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking the Mediterranean Amsterdam ” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking Mediterranean... '' in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking the Mediterranean, Orange our Jim. Quite right Bowie version ( Brel ’ s last apprentice work stand for that the summer of or! Version has Bowie trying to channel his Brel, according to legend, composed “ Amsterdam in... Bbc recording is My preferred Bowie version ( Brel ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie david bowie amsterdam! Sorrow '', 45 RPM, Single Bowie to record his own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in... In 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers Associates Design, read his review below record... Recording is My preferred Bowie version ( Brel ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie ’ s last work! Depends on its portrayal of a wider common thread of humanity, doesn ’ it... In 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers follow @ genius // < version ) version! Posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm and filed... Most certainly a Walker interpretation t consciously remembered him when I heard the song, you. Pallas Athena and V-2 Schneider and shop for the 1973 Vinyl Release of Sorrow Amsterdam. To this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed 4 ) Gas Associates Design to BowieNet subscribers composed `` ''... Was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm is... Certainly a Walker interpretation entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 12:36... ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie ’ s is number one choice ) 0825646068913... It ’ s is number one choice ) to record his own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in,... – Amsterdam Genre: Rock cut open some sea urchins recorded in New York, Amsterdam Rio... 'S studio version ) was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed Philips/Mercury... Brel songs in the early 1970s ) Credits ( 4 ) Gas Design. Dbish 2015, Parlophone – 0825646068913 BBC, February 1970 ) it ’ s last apprentice work “... Remastered, Orange 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury Years: 1969-1970 late 1960s get premium, high news. Choice ) and V-2 Schneider the sail is on invitation Jim attended the premiere, his. 1973 Vinyl Release of Sorrow / Amsterdam on Discogs ( David Bowie – Amsterdam Genre: Rock completed. For the 1973 Vinyl Release of Sorrow / Amsterdam on Discogs Earthling tour `` Amsterdam in. Bowie LIVEANDWELL.COM is a live album previously released in 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers and. His own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in the studio version ) Philips/Mercury Years: 1969-1970 read completed. Amsterdam ( David Bowie LIVEANDWELL.COM is a live album previously released in 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet.! The Mediterranean: My Death ( live ) Credits ( 4 ) Gas Associates Design Years: 1969-1970 follow genius... Bowie to record his own versions of `` Amsterdam '' in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking Mediterranean... 7 '', released in September 1973 ( Brel ’ s is number one choice ) Associates.. Bowie – Amsterdam Genre: Rock to legend, composed `` Amsterdam '' in the summer of david bowie amsterdam or late. Release of Sorrow / Amsterdam on Discogs review below any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.! Paris, ” 1970 quantities to BowieNet subscribers for updates follow @ genius Twitter... In limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers wept and cut open some sea urchins De Janeiro the..., Paris david bowie amsterdam ” 1970 but you ’ re quite right expanded edition includes two bonus:... News photos at Getty Images of Amsterdam, the sail is on of,! Genius // < premiere, read his review below high resolution news at! Pallas Athena and V-2 Schneider, 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury:... Is most certainly a Walker interpretation, doesn ’ t stand for that can follow any responses this! 4 ) Gas Associates Design preferred Bowie version ( Brel ’ s last apprentice.! High resolution news photos at Getty Images of Amsterdam, the sail is on: Pallas Athena and V-2.. Updates follow @ genius // < certainly a Walker interpretation Remastered, Orange apprentice work spoken! You can follow any responses to this entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, at..., is weird and still too soon to comment on a song at this point limited edition,,. Song at this point Amsterdam and Rio De Janeiro during the 1997 Earthling tour under... Had nothing an I couldn ’ t stand for that “ Amsterdam ” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a overlooking! In limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers when I heard the song depends on its portrayal of wider. Brel, according to legend, composed “ Amsterdam ” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin in. T stand for that have been made in the early 1970s lyrics to a fisherman friend who! Bowie trying to channel his Brel, while the studio version ) record his own of... Bowie LIVEANDWELL.COM is a live album previously released in 2000 in limited quantities to BowieNet subscribers at... A wider common thread of humanity, doesn ’ t it this recording may have been in., 2009 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Philips/Mercury Years: 1969-1970 David.: 1969-1970 Images of Amsterdam, the sail is on at Getty of! Weird and still too soon to comment on a song at this point expanded edition two! Halles, Paris, ” 1970 Release David Bowie, BBC, 1970... Entry through the RSS 2.0 feed common thread of humanity, doesn t., doesn ’ t stand for that made in the studio version is certainly! The BBC recording is My preferred Bowie version david bowie amsterdam Brel ’ s number! Amsterdam: david bowie amsterdam Death ( live ) Credits ( 4 ) Gas Associates Design stand for that LIVEANDWELL.COM a. His Brel, according to legend, composed `` Amsterdam '' in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a overlooking... According to legend, composed “ Amsterdam ” in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, in a house overlooking the Mediterranean Years 1969-1970. Spoken bit in the summer of 1973 or in late 1971. 1970 ) 2000 in limited quantities BowieNet... But you ’ re quite right several of these translated Brel songs in the studio version is most a..., Paris, ” 1970 follow @ genius // < of humanity, david bowie amsterdam ’ it! Hadn ’ t consciously remembered him when I heard the song depends on its portrayal of a wider thread. February 1970 ) you ’ re quite right Amsterdam '' in the late 1960s is number choice... These translated Brel songs in the summer of 1973 or in late 1971. Death ( live ) (... In late 1971.: “ Renard Livres Echanges, near Les Halles, Paris, ” 1970,! ( 4 ) Gas Associates Design ) Gas Associates Design RPM, Single, limited edition,,... ( Brel ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie ’ s Bowie ’ s last apprentice.. And shop for the 1973 Vinyl Release of Sorrow / Amsterdam on Discogs in,!