Lady Grinning Soul

Album: Aladdin Sane (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • David Bowie (from the Mail on Sunday June 29, 2008): "Mike Garson's piano opens with the most ridiculous and spot-on re-creation of a 19th Century music hall 'exotic' number. I can see now the 'poses plastiques' as if through a smoke-filled bar. Fans, castanets and lots of Spanish black lace and little else. Sexy, mmm? And for you, Madam?"
  • In the same Mail on Sunday interview, Bowie mentions that this "was written for a wonderful young girl whom I've not seen for more than 30 years. When I hear this song she's still in her 20s, of course." The "wonderful young girl" he refers to is most likely the American black soul singer Claudia Lennear for whom Mick Jagger also wrote "Brown Sugar." A number of authorities have cited her as the inspiration for this song.
  • Cherie Currie, as played by Dakota Fanning, mimes to this song during a school talent show in The Runaways, a 2010 film about the '70s Rock band of the same name. Currie was The Runaways' lead vocalist.

Comments: 5

  • Chrissy from England Brown Sugar was famously written about Marsha Hunt.
  • Ade from Coventry UkLove Mike Garson's piano.
  • Ady from Leicester, United Kingdomsends shivers down my spine. The piano line sweeps you away and takes you into outer space, where only the likes of major tom can go higher.
  • Billy from West Unity, OhThe entire album was/is a master piece. Lady Grinning Soul has one of the greatest piano pieces I've ever heard. Aladdin sane is also another one of my favorites.
  • Elie from London, -i cant believe this has no comment on it
    come on people
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.