David Bowie turns 65 today. To celebrate, here’s his French version of ‘Heroes’, Isabelle Adjani’s ode, written by Gainsbourg and a cover by the French Bowie, Alain Kan.
Isabelle Adjani – Beau oui comme Bowie
Alain Kan – Hey Man (Suffragette City)
“It has to go down as one of the worst covers in the history of rock, although there are certainly a few by Tom Jones I would rank lower.” “Absolute Rubbish.” “What did David do to deserve this?” Random comments from French magazines and websites (see here for more) on Carla Sarkozy-Bruni’s take on David Bowie’s Absolute Beginners. She recorded it for the (DB-management approved) tribute album We Were So Turned On, a double-album with covers from Duran Duran, A Place to Bury Strangers, Warpaint and John Frusciante. (See also here) Some are good, most are so-so. The odd thing for a charity album is the limited availability – you can only buy it in the UK iTunes store (and listen to it on Spotify, worldwide), but webshops outside of the UK don’t sell it. Yet. Now, is that version by Bruni really as bad as the French would like you to think? Have a listen yourself. And be sure to check Keren Ann’s contribution, a wonderful fragile version of Life on Mars?
Carla Bruni – Absolute Beginners
Keren Ann – Life on Mars?