The Man Who Sold the World is the third studio album by David Bowie. It was originally released in the United States on 4 November 1970 and in the United Kingdom on 10 April 1971. The album was produced by Tony Visconti and recorded at Trident and Advision Studios in London during April and May 1970. It features the first appearances of guitarist Mick Ronson and drummer Mick Woodmansey on a Bowie record, who would later become famous as members of the Spiders from Mars.

Following the largely acoustic and folk rock sound of Bowie's previous 1969 self-titled album, The Man Who Sold the World marked a shift toward hard rock, with elements of blues rock. The lyrics are also darker than his previous releases, exploring themes of insanity, religion, technology and war. None of the songs from the album were released as official singles, although some tracks appeared as B-sides of singles between 1970 and 1973. Originally titled Metrobolist, a play on Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis, the title was changed at the last minute by Mercury without Bowie’s consultation.

The Man Who Sold the World was originally better received by music critics in the US than in the UK. Nevertheless, it was a commercial failure in both countries. Retrospectively, the album has been praised by critics for the band’s performance and the unsettling nature of its music and lyrics, being considered by many to be the start of Bowie's 'classic period'.

 

Track Listing

Side One

The Width of a Circle All the Madmen Black Country Rock After All

Side Two

Running Gun Blues Saviour Machine She Shook Me Cold The Man Who Sold the World The Supermen

 

Format: Vinyl / 12” Album

Label: Parlophone

Catalogue No: 0825646287383

Release Date: 26 Feb 2016