Recorded & Broadcast: 8th February
1972 Musicians: David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder & Mick
"Woody" Woodmansey
The Old Grey Whistle Test series began in 1971 in a tiny
presentation suite at the BBC and quickly became a UK institution - a more sensible, older
brother to Top of the Pops.
"Before a new record is released, a rough mix is
played to the grey haired doorman. If he can whistle the tune after hearing it once, it
passes 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' and is released." Richard Williams
(original presenter) on the TV series unusual name.
Video credit:
KHMusic369 Performed are: Oh,
You Pretty Things; Queen Bitch & Five Years.
Oh! You Pretty Things Original Lyrics
Bowie and The Spiders From Mars performed three songs on The Old
Grey Whistle Test in February 1972: "Oh! You Pretty Things" - Bowie
(piano), "Queen Bitch" - Bowie (acoustic guitar) and "Five
Years" - Bowie (acoustic guitar), all reportedly for a payment of £50 just
two days before the start of the very first Ziggy Stardust UK tour on the 10th February
1972.
All performances were shot live in the studio. Dressed in the very
same jump-suit and red boots he wore on the Ziggy Stardust album cover, and with the
Spiders in silver glitter suits, they performed a tight set for the TV cameras. Bowie and
the band later watched the show at home in Beckenham.
However, "Oh You Pretty Things" was not to be broadcast in
1972. Of the three songs, only "Five Years" and "Queen Bitch"
were screened on 8th February 1972. Take 2 of "Oh You Pretty Things" was only
broadcast for the very first time (on UK television) in 1982 - a full 10 years after
recording. In August 1999 the BBC as part of a David Bowie special also showed
Take 1 where Bowie had changed the words on the third verse "The earth is a
bitch" back to the second verse's "Written in pain".
The BBC Master tape for this show has a total running time
of 20 minutes including lead-in times.
"Oh! You Pretty Things" was recorded first. Two takes were recorded.
"Oh You Pretty Things" Take 1
"Oh You Pretty Things" Take 1
"Oh You Pretty Things" Take 1
"Oh You Pretty Things" Take 2
"Oh You Pretty Things" Take 2
"Queen Bitch" was
recorded next. Three takes of "Queen Bitch" were recorded due to mistakes
on the first two takes.
Pre-take chatter
Studio: You ready for this?
Bowie: Yeah!
Bowie: Mick come closer with me on that microphone...
Ronson: Pardon?
Bowie: Don't sing as loud and come closer....
Ronson: Well I can't sing quiet...I will play it by ear
Studio: 30 seconds.....
"Queen Bitch" Take 1
"Queen Bitch" Take 1
Take 1 got no further than Bowie's acoustic guitar strumming and
visually the camera just showed Bowie's boots.
"Queen Bitch" Take 2
"Queen Bitch" Take 2
In Take 2 of "Queen Bitch" Bowie stopped singing soon after
the first verse and waved to the control room that he was ending the take. In 1997 the BBC
screened this for the first time.
Post-take chatter
Bowie: Sorry!
Studio: That's alright
Bowie: Didn't like it!
Studio: You having any problems in there David?
Bowie: No problems
Studio: Shall we do it again?
Bowie: Yeah!
"Queen Bitch" Take 3
Take 3 was successful and this was the performance broadcast in 1972.
Today it is considered to be the best vocal and visual performance of the three
songs.
"Five Years" was
recorded last and in one take even though Bowie made a mistake with the lyrics.
Pre-take sound
Mick Ronson plays a little piano ditty before the take
begins
"Five Years" Take 1
"Five Years" Take 1
Post-take chatter
Bowie: That OK?
It certainly was Ok but sadly none of these excellent
performances are yet commercially available. Each however has been broadcast from
time to time in various countries including the outtakes.
The 
Companion
