Listen: Wilco Celebrate David Bowie’s Birthday with Live “Space Oddity” Cover

Photo Credit: Peter Crosby

To celebrate what would be David Bowie’s birthday, Wilco has delivered a cover of the late musician’s 1969 classic, “Space Oddity.” The newly released take on the psyche-folk number will appear on Live on the Mountain Stage: Outlaws and Outliers set, featuring various artists, due on April 19, 2024, via Oh Boy Records. 

Acoustic instrumental rumblings akin to the original, open Wilco’s stripped-down cover, with Jeff Tweedy taking on the original lyrics in a presentation, not unlike Bowie. The natural build of the song leads into a stunning mid-way solo and momentary pause and appreciation for the arrangement. 

Wilco’s take on “Space Oddity” is part of a larger release centered around the 40th anniversary of Mountain Stage–the second longest-running radio performance program, which launched in 1983 as a weekly broadcast put on in front of a live audience at Charleston, W.V.’s Culter Center Theater. 

Commenting on their inclusion, Wilco offered, “As a gratefully, if not begrudgingly, Earth-bound band, it’s always an honor and a challenge to tackle any of David Bowie’s space-soaring arrangements. Striving to reach the heights of his freedom and talent is a wide goal for any band. We thank Mountain Stage for letting us give this song another home on Earth.”

Mainly focused on celebrated folk, Americana, and country music acts, Live on the Mountain Stage: Outlaws and Outliers also includes contributions from Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, Molly Tuttle, Alison Kraus, Watchhouse, and more. 

Scroll down to listen to Wilco’s cover of Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” 

Pre-order Live on the Mountain Stage: Outlaws and Outliers.