Heathen is an album by the British singer-songwriter David Bowie, released in 2002.
Heathen was considered something of a comeback for Bowie in the U.S. market; it was his highest charting album (#14) since Tonight (1984), and earned some of his strongest reviews since Scary Monsters (1980). Worldwide, it sold over two million copies and experienced a four-month run on the UK charts.
Recording and production
Heathen marked the return of record producer Tony Visconti, who co-produced (with Bowie himself) several of Bowie's classic albums. The last album Visconti co-produced was Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) from 1980.
Originally, Bowie had recorded the album Toy for release in 2000 or 2001. This album was meant to feature some new songs and remakes of some his lesser-known songs from the 1960s. Although Toy remains unreleased, a few tracks that include "Afraid" and "Slip Away" (then titled "Uncle Floyd") appeared on Heathen. Some other re-recorded songs were included as B-sides to the singles from Heathen.
The album features guest appearances from Who guitarist Pete Townshend (who had played guitar on an earlier Bowie track, "Because You're Young" from Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)), Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Dream Theater veteran keyboardist Jordan Rudess, pianist Kristeen Young and prolific bassist Tony Levin of King Crimson.
Song details
Most of the song lyrics for Heathen are focused on the degradation of mankind and the world. This is evidenced in songs like "Slow Burn", "Afraid", "A Better Future" and the title track.
The album contains three cover songs: "Cactus" by Pixies; "I've Been Waiting for You" by Neil Young; and "I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship" by Norman Odam aka the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, from whom Bowie lifted the 'Stardust' moniker in 1972.
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