DAVID BOWIE : Quicksand (1971)

Here is a grossly underrated song by Bowie; flowing lyrics and melodies over an acoustic guitar, with a tasty use of strings. Piano arpeggios were added by none other than Rick Wakeman, with backing by his soon-to-be Spiders From Mars band.

From allmusic:
One of Bowie's most mystifying (and, thus, most over-analyzed) compositions, "Quicksand" originally appeared on 1971's Hunky Dory album, closing side one with a lengthy examination of the emotional mire of politics and religion. (An acoustic demo of the song also appeared on the album's 1990 reissue.)

Churchill, Himmler, Crowley, Garbo, and Nietzsche all file through the "dream reality" of this gentle, but incredibly hard-hitting song, and its occasional appearances in Bowie's live set have always proven firm fan favorites. That said, Bowie only began performing the song in its entirety in 1997 — hitherto, it featured in a 1973-era medley with "Life on Mars?" and "Memory of a Free Festival."

However, he revived it for the 50th birthday celebrations; one version was included in the BBC's ChangesNowBowie broadcast, another — a duet with the Cure's Robert Smith — was aired at the Madison Square Garden birthday concert. The song then became the opening number throughout 1997's "Earthling" tour.

Song : "Quicksand" by David Bowie

From the LP "HUNKY DORY" (RCA) Dec. 17, 1971

LINEUP :

David Bowie : vocals, guitar

Mick Ronson : guitar, vocals, Mellotron, arrangements

Rick Wakeman : piano

Trevor Bolder : bass

Mick Woodmansey : drums

Get it here : Quicksand