A Cheeky B-Side Nod to Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust

The Strawbs "Lay Down" backed with "Backside" was released in the UK as a 7" vinyl single on October 13, 1972.

There's nothing particularly interesting about it, except for the B-side being titled attributed to "Ciggy Barlust and the Whales from Venus", an obvious allusion to David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, further interest is aroused when listening to the lyrics

"The boy stood on the burning stage, his back against the mast

He did not dare to turn around till Davy Bowie passed

The stardust painted round his eyes was really fading fast

Oh but I think I'm going to come again

Oh but I think I'm going to come again

The spiders from Uranus were climbing up the walls

With such a space (?) the oddity, his fey libido calls

But the people in the front row can only see his smalls

Oh but I think I'm going to come again

Oh but I think I'm going to come again"

It was actually a Strawbs composition credited to all members of the band at that time.

Another Bowie link is that the song was brought to the public's attention again in 2007 when it featured on the BBC television series Life on Mars.

Here's a cutting from

Record Mirror, February 17, 1973.