David Bowie - Five Years (Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972)

David Bowie performing 'Five Years' on the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test, 1972.

Taken from Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars released in June 1972, which featured the singles Starman, Suffragette City and Rock 'n' Roll Suicide.

Subscribe to the David Bowie channel for all the best official music videos, live performances and interviews here -

Follow David Bowie:

*VIDEO CREDITS*

About David Bowie:
David Bowie redefined musical genres and the potential of live performance for generations of music lovers. Creating and discarding a variety of personae and restlessly challenging musical boundaries, Bowie released timeless albums including Space Oddity, Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust…, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans, Station to Station, "Heroes,” Let's Dance, Heathen, The Next Day and many more. Blackstar, Bowie’s 28th and final studio album, was released on his 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. David Bowie died on January 10, 2016, two days after the release of Blackstar. His body of work, his influence on the worlds of music, art, fashion, film, theatre and beyond, and his legacy of innovation and reinvention will live forever. 2022 kicks off with Bowie at 75, a celebration of his 75th birthday with the Brilliant Adventure box set, the previously unreleased Toy, the 50th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust and a series of special events.

#DavidBowie #FiveYears #ZiggyStardust #Bowie

[lisagermano]

"Was that okay?" he asks at the end of the song. Yes, mister David Bowie, it was. I know I speak for many when I say you changed my life for the better, perhaps even saved it. Eternally grateful. ❤️

[colinlusty]

What a great version of a great song, DB and the Spiders were brilliant

[hasonmorris]

Bowie never died he simply went back to his home planet, Earth was just part of his tour. Be thankful Human

[TheJoscelyne]

"I never thought I'd need so many people..."
That line never fails to hit me in the gut.

[SarahHague-qc]

Love, love, love this! 😍 I miss Bowie, but his music is eternal & lives on through my children🙂

[jplelectrical]

One of David’s most underrated songs.
Simply doesn’t get played enough on the radio

[richardkemp]

I'm a drummer, and believe me, that beat is a lot harder than it sounds. Go Woody!

[markrae]

Talent. Sheer fucking talent. No auto-tune, no overdubs, just four fantastic musicians making brilliant music.

[pstmdrnslze]

This is the most touching, heartfelt, emotional live version I've ever seen Bowie do. In fact it's probably one of the most emotional performances ever. "Don't think you knew you were in this song" 😢

[oscar]

Keep coming back to this performance. Pure genius song writing.

[robertflowers]

Without a doubt the best version of one of the best David Bowie songs of all time. So hard to believe this song is a half-century old.

[hailfellowwellmetTV]

2:28 "smiling and waving and looking so fine"
I love the way he delivers that line! So much character and abandon.

[fotonomad]

Lyrics reeking with empathy & observation. As if written by a star man watching. Performed by an immortal soul on loan to us all for too short a time. Timeless. All hail Ziggy. Thank you David.

[relief]

i like seeing the attitude of "smiling and waving and looking so fine" ...a line so ingrained in my head for so many years

[Stirling]

What a genius, his music brought my wife and I together in '72! Sadly missed! David that is, my wife and I are still going strong!

[David-ufex]

One of David’s most powerful songs pure brilliance

[liyaandinnamay]

David, the world isn't complete without you. Years pass, but one thing remains - David's masterpieces are for eternity. I do know for a fact that his songs will never die or become vintage. Tears rolled down my cheeks. My biggest hero, my huge crush, bloody legend.🥰🥰🥰😍😍⭐🌌💖

[ralph]

David Bowie, a legend in our time as well as the band itself Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Ainsley Dunbar and Mick Woodmansey
All of them true musical artists.

[Arasteele]

"If you're sad today, just remember the Earth is over 4 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie."

[MegaSickcat]

His voice made you believe every single word he sang.