David Bowie – Pin Ups (1973) Album Review
Released in October 1973, Pin Ups stands out in David Bowie’s discography as a unique project: a full album of cover songs paying tribute to the British rock and pop bands that influenced him in the mid-1960s. While Bowie was riding the global success of Aladdin Sane, he chose to pause his trajectory of original concept albums and instead revisit the music that shaped his early musical sensibilities.
Unlike his more theatrical albums, Pin Ups is a nostalgic, playful, and stylish homage. Bowie’s interpretations are neither mere reproductions nor completely radical reinventions; they sit somewhere in between, balancing faithfulness with glam rock flair.
Musical Style and Sound
Pin Ups is steeped in glam rock energy, but it also reflects early British mod, blues, and psychedelic influences. The album features Mick Ronson on guitar and Trevor Bolder on bass, who would soon become part of the Spiders from Mars. Ronson’s guitar work injects raw power and sophistication into each track, while Bowie’s vocals shift effortlessly between cool detachment and dramatic intensity.
The production leans towards a clean, punchy rock sound, with occasional orchestral flourishes that nod to the experimental tendencies of Bowie’s recent work. In essence, Pin Ups bridges Bowie’s glam rock period with his reverence for 1960s pop culture.
Track Highlights
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“I Wish You Would” (originally by The Yardbirds) – Opens the album with energetic riffs and Bowie’s commanding vocals.
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“Here Comes the Night” (Them) – A soulful, tension-filled reinterpretation.
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“See Emily Play” (Pink Floyd) – Bowie brings a slightly edgier, glam-inflected touch to Syd Barrett’s psychedelic classic.
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“Everything’s Alright” (The Mojos) – A playful, nostalgic take with a modern rock edge.
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“Sorrow” (The McCoys) – One of the album’s standout tracks, blending emotive vocals with Ronson’s striking guitar lines.
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“I Can’t Explain” (The Who) – Bowie honors the power of British rock, giving it a polished yet energetic twist.
Themes and Concept
Although Pin Ups is not a concept album in the narrative sense, it celebrates memory, influence, and musical heritage. Bowie pays tribute to the bands and songs that inspired him while simultaneously inserting his own theatricality and contemporary flair. In doing so, the album acts as a bridge between the 1960s British rock scene and the glam rock explosion of the early 1970s.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎸 Pin Ups was recorded in just a few weeks, demonstrating Bowie and Ronson’s creative chemistry and efficiency in the studio.
🕺 The album cover, photographed by Clive Arrowsmith, features Bowie and two models wearing a 1960s mod-inspired aesthetic, reinforcing the nostalgic concept.
🎤 Unlike other albums, Bowie intentionally chose songs that were not huge hits, preferring deeper cuts from bands he admired rather than chart-toppers.
📀 Pin Ups became Bowie’s first UK number-one album since Aladdin Sane, confirming his dominance in the glam rock era.
🎶 The album includes a mix of British hits and cult favorites, highlighting Bowie’s deep knowledge and love of the 1960s scene.
🎵 Critics initially dismissed it as a “stopgap album,” but fans appreciated Bowie’s passion for reinterpretation and musicianship.
Critical Reception and Legacy
At release, Pin Ups received mixed reviews: some critics viewed it as a minor project, while others recognized its charm and technical skill. Over time, it has been reassessed as a bold and stylish tribute that showcases Bowie’s ability to reinterpret material with his own personality and flair.
While not as groundbreaking as Ziggy Stardust or Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups remains a key document of Bowie’s glam rock period, capturing both his influences and his artistic confidence at the height of his early fame.
Mini Biography: David Bowie
David Bowie (born David Robert Jones, January 8, 1947, Brixton, London) was a singer, songwriter, actor, and cultural innovator. Bowie was renowned for his ability to reinvent his sound and image, blending music, fashion, and performance art in ways that reshaped modern pop culture.
After achieving recognition with Space Oddity (1969), Bowie became a global superstar with Ziggy Stardust (1972) and Aladdin Sane (1973). Across 26 studio albums, he explored glam rock, soul, funk, electronic, and experimental music, influencing generations of artists. Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, fearlessness, and cultural impact.
