Bauhaus – Ziggy Stardust

Released in 1982, “Ziggy Stardust” was Bauhaus’s striking interpretation of David Bowie’s glam-rock classic, originally released by Bowie in 1972. The song was recorded during a BBC session and emerged partly as a playful response to critics who frequently compared Bauhaus with Bowie. Rather than avoiding the association, the band embraced it, transforming one of Bowie’s most famous songs into something unmistakably their own.

Bauhaus’s version strips away much of the glittering glam-rock character of the original and replaces it with a darker, more aggressive post-punk sound. Peter Murphy delivers the lyrics with his dramatic, theatrical vocal style, while Daniel Ash’s jagged guitar, David J’s driving bass and Kevin Haskins’s powerful drumming create a tense and energetic backdrop. The arrangement builds relentlessly, giving the song a raw intensity that perfectly suited Bauhaus’s developing gothic identity.

The recording was released as a single in October 1982 and also became associated with the band’s third album, The Sky’s Gone Out. Its success brought Bauhaus a much wider audience and helped establish their reputation as one of Britain’s leading gothic rock bands.

Today, “Ziggy Stardust” remains one of the most celebrated covers in Bauhaus’s catalogue. By taking a familiar glam-rock anthem and giving it a darker, heavier and more confrontational personality, the band created a version that stands confidently alongside the original while capturing the unique atmosphere of the early-1980s gothic scene. The song was released as a AA single with the song, “Third Uncle”.

It peaked at No. 15 in the UK Singles Chart on 30th October 1982.