Album · Compilation · 10 years old this year
Legacy
Legacy (The Very Best of David Bowie) is a greatest hits collection released on 11 November 2016, the same year as Blackstar, Bowie's final studio album. Sony handled it in the US, while Warner Music Group looked after the UK and several other territories. It mostly follows the two-disc edition of his earlier compilation Nothing Has Changed (2014), with a few swaps to bring the story up to date.
"Lazarus" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" from Blackstar come in, alongside the radio edit of "Slow Burn" from Heathen. They replace "Love Is Lost" and "Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)". There is also a new mix of "Life on Mars?" by Ken Scott, who co-produced the original on Hunky Dory (1971), and it was issued as a single with its own video. The album became Bowie's first title to reach 400 weeks on the UK albums chart. A one-disc version with a non-chronological running order and a vinyl LP were also available.
Legacy: tracklist, credits and charts
40 tracks · 2:35:13Tracklist
- Disc 1
- 1Space Oddity (2009 Remaster)David Bowie5:16
- 2The Man Who Sold the World (2014 Remaster)David Bowie3:58
- 3Changes (2014 Remaster)David Bowie and Daniel Licht3:35
- 4Oh! You Pretty Things (2014 Remaster)David Bowie3:13
- 5Life on Mars? (2016 Mix)David Bowie3:39
- 6Starman (Original Single Mix) [2015 Remaster]David Bowie4:11
- 7Ziggy Stardust (2012 Remaster)David Bowie3:13
- 8Moonage Daydream (2012 Remaster)David Bowie4:39
- 9The Jean Genie (Original Single Mix) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie4:05
- 10All the Young DudesDavid Bowie3:08
- 11Drive‐In Saturday (2013 Remaster)David Bowie4:32
- 12Sorrow (2013 Remaster)Feldman, Goldstein, Gottehrer2:55
- 13Rebel Rebel (2014 Remaster)David Bowie4:30
- 14Young Americans (Original Single Edit) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie3:13
- 15Fame (2014 Remaster)Alomar, Bowie, Lennon4:16
- 16Golden Years (Single Version) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie3:27
- 17Sound and Vision (2014 Remaster)David Bowie3:03
- 18“Heroes” (Single Version) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie and Brian Eno3:33
- 19Boys Keep Swinging (2014 Remaster)David Bowie and Brian Eno3:17
- 20Fashion (Single Version) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie3:26
- 21Ashes to Ashes (Single Version) [2014 Remaster]David Bowie3:37
- Disc 2
- 1Under PressureBowie, Deacon, May, Mercury, Taylor4:05
- 2Let’s Dance (single version)David Bowie4:10
- 3China Girl (single version)David Bowie and Iggy Pop4:17
- 4Modern Love (single version)David Bowie3:58
- 5Blue JeanDavid Bowie3:12
- 6This Is Not AmericaMays, Metheny, Bowie3:53
- 7Dancing in the StreetGaye, Hunter, Stevenson3:12
- 8Absolute Beginners (edit)David Bowie4:48
- 9Jump They Say (radio edit)David Bowie3:54
- 10Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys remix)David Bowie and Brian Eno4:29
- 11Little Wonder (edit)Bowie, Gabrels, Plati3:42
- 12I’m Afraid of Americans (V1) (radio edit)David Bowie and Brian Eno4:26
- 13Thursday’s Child (radio edit)David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels4:27
- 14Slow Burn (radio edit)David Bowie3:58
- 15Everyone Says ‘Hi’ (edit)David Bowie3:29
- 16New Killer Star (radio edit)David Bowie3:45
- 17Where Are We Now?David Bowie4:10
- 18Lazarus (radio edit)David Bowie4:07
- 19I Can’t Give Everything Away (radio edit)David Bowie4:24
- Produced by
- Gus Dudgeon, Tony Visconti, David Bowie, Ken Scott, Harry Maslin, Brian May, Queen, Roger Taylor, Nile Rodgers, Derek Bramble, Hugh Padgham, Pat Metheny, Michael Barbiero, Mick Jagger, Clive Langer, Steve Thompson, Alan Winstanley, Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley, Brian Eno, Pet Shop Boys, David Richards, Reeves Gabrels, Mark Plati, Nine Inch Nails, Reeves Gabrels, Mark Plati, Gary Miller, Brian Rawling
- Recorded at
- Trident Studios, Advision Studios, RCA Studios, RCA Victor Studios, Château d'Hérouville, Basing Street Studios, Olympic Studios, Hansa Studios, Mountain Studios, The Record Plant, Power Station at BerkleeNYC, Good Earth Studios, Musicland Studios, Le Studio, Abbey Road Studios, 38 Fresh, The Hit Factory, Looking Glass Studios, Seaview, The Magic Shop, Human Worldwide
- Recorded
- 1969–2015
- Mixed by
- Ken Scott, Paul Pritchard, Mick Ronson, David Bowie, Keith Harwood, Tony Visconti, David Richards, Rod O’Brien, Bob Clearmountain, Hugh Padgham, Mark Plati, Dave Ogilvie, Gary Miller
- Mixed at
- Trident Studios, RCA Victor Studios, Hansa Studios, The Record Plant, Right Track Recording
- Engineered by
- Ken Scott, Mike Moran, Denis Blackeye, Keith Harwood, Eduard Meyer, Laurent Thibault, Tony Visconti, Rod O’Brien, David Richards, Mack, Bob Clearmountain, Hugh Padgham, Marcellus Frank, Stephen Benben, Mark Saunders, Jon Goldberger, Andy Grassi, Gary Tole, Bob Kraushaar, Mark Plati, Brian Pollack, Kevin Paul, Mario J. McNulty
- Mastered by
- Toby Mountain
- Labels
- Legacy, Parlophone (UK), Columbia (US)
- Length
- 2:35:13
Line-up
- David Bowie · 12 string guitar, handclaps, Dubreq Stylophone, lead vocals, background vocals, saxophone, piano, recorder, guitar, harmonica, keyboard, baritone saxophone, synthesizer, finger snaps
- Paul Buckmaster · cello · guest
- Terry Cox · drums (drum set) · guest
- Herbie Flowers · bass · guest
- Rick Wakeman · mellotron, piano · guest
- Mick Wayne · electric guitar · guest
- Ralph Mace · Moog · guest
- Mick Ronson · electric guitar, background vocals, handclaps, mellotron, guitar, strings, piano · guest
- Tony Visconti · electric bass guitar, bass, background vocals, strings · guest
- Mick Woodmansey · drums (drum set), güiro, percussion, shakers · guest
- Trevor Bolder · bass guitar, bass · guest
- Aynsley Dunbar · drums (drum set) · guest
- Mike Garson · harpsichord, mellotron, piano, Moog · guest
- Tony Newman · drums (drum set) · guest
- Alan Parker · guitar · guest
- Carlos Alomar · guitar, drums (drum set) · guest
- Dennis Davis · drums (drum set), percussion · guest
- Ricky Gardiner · guitar · guest
- George Murray · bass guitar, bass · guest
- Roy Young · piano · guest
- Brian Eno · background vocals, keyboard, synthesizer, analog synthesizer, piano · guest
- Mary Hopkin · background vocals · guest
- Robert Fripp · guitar · guest
- Adrian Belew · guitar · guest
- Simon House · violin · guest
- John Deacon · bass guitar, handclaps, finger snaps, guitar, keyboard · guest
- Brian May · electric guitar, handclaps, finger snaps · guest
- Freddie Mercury · piano, handclaps, finger snaps, keyboard, background vocals, lead vocals · guest
- Roger Taylor · drums (drum set), handclaps, finger snaps, background vocals · guest
- Stevie Ray Vaughan · guitar · guest
- Robert Aaron · flute, tenor saxophone · guest
- Steve Elson · baritone saxophone, flute, horn · guest
- Sammy Figueroa · percussion · guest
- Mac Gollehon · trumpet · guest
- Omar Hakim · drums (drum set) · guest
- Stan Harrison · flute, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, horn · guest
- Nile Rodgers · guitar · guest
- Carmine Rojas · bass, electric bass guitar · guest
- Rob Sabino · keyboard · guest
- Frank Simms · background vocals · guest
- George Simms · background vocals · guest
- David Spinner · background vocals · guest
- Derek Bramble · electric bass guitar, guitar · guest
- Mark Pender · trumpet · guest
- Lenny Pickett · tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, horn · guest
- Guy St. Onge · marimba · guest
- Curtis King · background vocals · guest
- Lyle Mays · analog synthesizer, marimba, keyboard · guest
- Pat Metheny · electric guitar, guitar synthesizer, synclavier · guest
- Steve Rodby · electric bass guitar · guest
- Paul Wertico · drums (drum set) · guest
- Pat Metheny Group · guest
- Kevin Armstrong · guitar · guest
- Neil Conti · drums (drum set) · guest
- Jimmy McLean · percussion · guest
- Steve Nieve · keyboard · guest
- Pedro Ortiz · percussion · guest
- John Regan · electric bass guitar · guest
- Matthew Seligman · electric bass guitar · guest
- Earl Slick · guitar · guest
- G.E. Smith · guitar · guest
- Jimmy Maelen · percussion · guest
- Mick Jagger · lead vocals · guest
- Tessa Niles · background vocals · guest
- Helena Springs · background vocals · guest
- Richard Hilton · keyboard · guest
- David Richards · keyboard · guest
- Philippe Saisse · keyboard · guest
- Richard Tee · keyboard · guest
- Tawatha Agee · background vocals · guest
- Dennis Collins · background vocals · guest
- Maryel Epps · background vocals · guest
- Fonzi Thornton · background vocals · guest
- Brenda White‐King · background vocals · guest
- Pet Shop Boys · guest
- Charlie Clouser · guest
- Keith Hillebrandt · guest
- Danny Lohner · guest
- Nine Inch Nails · guest
- Dave Ogilvie · guest
- Trent Reznor · vocals · guest
- Sterling Campbell · drums (drum set) · guest
- Pete Townshend · guitar · guest
- Kristeen Young · piano · guest
- Sola Akingbola · percussion · guest
- Dave Clayton · keyboard · guest
- Gary Miller · guitar · guest
- John Read · bass · guest
- Philip Sheppard · electric cello · guest
- Zachary Alford · drums (drum set) · guest
- Henry Hey · piano · guest
- Gerry Leonard · guitar · guest
- Tony Levin · bass guitar · guest
Singles
- “Life on Mars? (2016 Mix)” · 7 October 2016
Peak chart positions
| Chart | Peak |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart · 2016–2017 | 5 |
| US Billboard 200 · 2016–2017 | 78 |
| New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ) · 2016–2017 | 1 |
| UK Vinyl Albums (OCC) · 2016–2017 | 1 |
| Croatian International Albums (HDU) · 2018 | 3 |
| Scottish Albums · 2016–2017 | 4 |
| US Alternative · 2016–2017 | 5 |
| US Vinyl Albums (Billboard) · 2016–2017 | 5 |
| Irish Albums · 2016–2017 | 7 |
| Belgian Albums (Flanders) · 2016–2017 | 13 |
All 24 charts
| Portuguese Albums · 2022 | 13 |
| US Top Rock Albums · 2016–2017 | 14 |
| Czech Albums · 2016–2017 | 24 |
| Hungarian Albums · 2016–2017 | 24 |
| Italian Albums (FIMI) · 2016–2017 | 24 |
| Dutch Albums · 2016–2017 | 25 |
| Spanish Albums · 2019 | 28 |
| Australian Albums (ARIA) · 2016–2017 | 31 |
| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) · 2016–2017 | 38 |
| Belgian Albums (Wallonia) · 2016–2017 | 39 |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) · 2016–2017 | 44 |
| French Albums · 2016–2017 | 52 |
| German Albums · 2016–2017 | 59 |
| Canadian Albums (Billboard) · 2016–2017 | 64 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification |
|---|---|
| France · 2020 | Platinum |
| Italy · 2021 | Gold |
| United Kingdom · 2026 | 4× Platinum |
From MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Only what the sources record is shown.
44.8
Popularity (0–100, vs the whole vault)
67
ListenBrainz listeners
19k
Wikipedia views, last 12 months
4.5k
Deezer fans (all editions)
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More from David Bowie
Full discography →
David Bowie
1967
David Bowie
1969
The World of David Bowie
1970
The Man Who Sold the World
1970
Hunky Dory
1971
Do Anything You Say
1972
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
1972
Rebel Rebel / Queen Bitch / Sorrow / Amsterdam
1973
Images 1966–1967
1973
Aladdin Sane
1973
Pin Ups
1973
Diamond Dogs
1974
David Live
1974
Young Americans
1975
Station to Station
1976
ChangesOneBowie
1976
Low
1977
“Heroes”
1977
David Bowie Narrates Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf
1978
Stage
1978
Lodger
1979
David Bowie
1980
Scary Monsters… and Super Creeps
1980
The Best of Bowie
1980
Christiane F.: Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo
1981
ChangesTwoBowie
1981
In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal
1982
Rare
1982
Supergroups
1983
Serious Moonlight
1983
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars: The Motion Picture Soundtrack
1983
Let’s Dance
1983
Golden Years
1983
Fame and Fashion (David Bowie’s All Time Greatest Hits)
1984
Love You Till Tuesday
1984
Tonight
1984
Labyrinth: From the Original Soundtrack of the Jim Henson Film
1986
Never Let Me Down
1987
Glass Spider
1988
Sound + Vision
1989
Changesbowie
1990
Early On (1964–1966)
1991
Black Tie White Noise
1993
The Singles Collection
1993
The Buddha of Suburbia
1993
Live Santa Monica ’72
1994
RarestOneBowie
1995
1.Outside: The Nathan Adler Diaries: A Hyper Cycle
1995
Earthling
1997
The Deram Anthology 1966–1968
1997
The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974
1997
The Best of David Bowie 1974/1979
1998
‘hours…’
1999
Liveandwell.com
2000
Bowie at the Beeb: The Best of the BBC Radio Sessions 68–72
2000
All Saints (Collected Instrumentals 1977–1999)
2001
Heathen
2002
Best of Bowie
2002
Reality
2003
Club Bowie: Rare and Unreleased 12″ Mixes
2003
Live EP (live at Fashion Rocks)
2005
The Collection
2005
The Platinum Collection
2005
Bowie 1965!
2006
The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987
2007
Outside / Earthling / Hours / Heathen / Reality
2007
iSELECT
2008
VH1 Storytellers
2009
Space Oddity
2009
A Reality Tour
2010
The Next Day
2013
Pin-Ups Radio Show
2013
The Next Day Extra EP
2013
Nothing has changed.
2014
Five Years 1969–1973
2015
★
2016
Who Can I Be Now? 1974–1976
2016
Lazarus
2016
No Plan
2017
Live Nassau Coliseum ’76
2017
Cracked Actor (Live Los Angeles ’74)
2017
A New Career in a New Town (1977–1982)
2017
Welcome to the Blackout (live London ’78)
2018
Loving the Alien (1983–1988)
2018
Glastonbury 2000
2018
Conversation Piece
2019
Is It Any Wonder?
2020
ChangesNowBowie
2020
I’m Only Dancing (The Soul Tour 74)
2020
The Width of a Circle
2021
Toy
2021
Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001)
2021
Brilliant Adventure EP
2022
Toy E.P.
2022
Fun Mix
2022
Moonage Daydream: A Film by Brett Morgen
2022
Divine Symmetry
2022
Rock ’n’ Roll Star!
2024
Ready, Set, Go! (live, Riverside Studios ’03)
2025
I Can’t Give Everything Away (2002–2016)
2025
The Shel Talmy Recordings
2026
The best of 2016
All of 2016 →★
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A Moon Shaped Pool
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Red Hot Chili Peppers · 2016
Hardwired… to Self‐Destruct
Metallica · 2016
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Green Day · 2016
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The Rolling Stones · 2016
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Jar of Flies/ Sap
Alice in Chains · 2016
Weezer
Weezer · 2016
Magma
Gojira · 2016
The Serenity of Suffering
Korn · 2016
More on Legacy
The label →
Releases and pressings
How we know the release date wikipedia + musicbrainz + wikidata
| Source | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MusicBrainz | 11 November 2016 | |
| Wikipedia infobox | 11 November 2016 | |
| Wikidata | 11 November 2016 | |
| US release | 11 November 2016 | earliest US date |
| UK / Europe release | 11 November 2016 | earliest UK or European date |
8 editions
| Date | Country | Label | Barcode | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 November 2016 | US | Legacy | 889853765928 | original |
| 11 November 2016 | FR | Rhino | 5054197597381 | original |
| 11 November 2016 | XE | Parlophone | 190295919900 | original |
| 11 November 2016 | XE | Parlophone | 190295919870 | original |
| 11 November 2016 | US | Legacy | 889853766024 | original |
| 6 January 2017 | XE | Parlophone | 0190295918323 | other |
| 2023 | XE | Parlophone | 5054197611896 | other |
| 2023 | XE | Parlophone | 5054197611889 | other |
Cover art sources
coverartarchive · upscaled: major: best source 1280x1280, upscaled to 1500 (x1.17)
| Source | Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| coverartarchive ✓ | 1280×1280 | upscaled: major: best source 1280x1280, upscaled to 1500 (x1.17) |
| deezer | 1200×1200 | upscaled |
| fanarttv | 1000×1000 | upscaled |