“Uncle Arthur;” This buoyant melody, inspired by Bowie’s incredulity and subsequent interest in one of his friend’s confessions that they were not a twenty-year old musician, but a twenty-seven year old uncle is equipped with hand-clapping and a sweet, honest delivery by Bowie. With a touch of pointed mirth, this song proves itself a simple, catchy tune which seems to be laughing at Bowie’s own aspirations to fame. With a simple chord structure and range, its feel-good aura is contagiously fun. Personally, I immediately took a liking to the openness of Bowie’s voice in this song, as his lilting ditty assumes nothing and does away with so many of the airs and graces which musicians take on. It has a sense of Bowie’s ability to deride himself, despite the known subject matter, which lends it a likeable and jolly tone. Imbued with mirth and a catchy tune, I love giving my mind a break and dispelling with the complexities of modern music by simply playing this song and transferring some of its energy over to my own demeanour.
“Uncle Arthur” will have you smirking to yourself with a self-assuming pleasure at the chance to see hilarity in something meaningless, or holding your hands over your ears as you attempt to kill the fractured tune which has now taken up permanent residence in your head.
“Uncle Arthur” will have you smirking to yourself with a self-assuming pleasure at the chance to see hilarity in something meaningless, or holding your hands over your ears as you attempt to kill the fractured tune which has now taken up permanent residence in your head.