The David Bowie Hit Written For Elvis
The effortless combination of glam, funk, and cool makes “Golden Years” one of David Bowie’s most distinctively Bowie tracks, but the singer-songwriter didn’t originally intend to perform it. According to David Buckley’s Strange Fascination: David Bowie, the Definitive Story, some of Bowie’s demos landed in the lap of Presley, a fellow RCA artist, and his long-time manager, Colonel Tom.
“Apparently, Elvis heard the demos because we were both on RCA, and Colonel Tom thought I should write some Elvis songs,” Bowie recalled. “There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass. I would have loved working with him. God, I would have adored it.”
Following Colonel Tom’s potential invitation, David Bowie set out to write a song fit for the King of Rock and Roll. He came up with “Golden Years,” but for whatever reason, Presley’s team rejected the track. “He did send me a note once,” Bowie added. “[That said], ‘All the best, and have a great tour.’ I still have that one.” Bowie later recorded the track for his own album, and two years later, Presley passed away at his Memphis estate, Graceland.