"David Bowie" is the debut studio album by the British musician David Bowie, originally released on 1st June 1967, on Deram Records. The album incorporated various musical styles including pop, psychedelia, and music hall, while Bowie's lyrics revolve around atypical topics for pop music of the time such as gnomes, gravediggers, and a toy ray-gun.
At the time of its release, the album was largely disregarded by music critics, and it did not achieve commercial success, peaking at number 125 on the UK Albums Chart. Despite the initial critical and commercial indifference, the album was re-issued multiple times over the years with varying degrees of success.
Background-wise, the album portrays a young 20-year-old Bowie, who was influenced by contemporary pop culture and his fascination with the London arts scene. The album was produced by Mike Vernon and arranged by Bowie and Dek Fearnley, his longtime collaborator.
Despite the album's initial lack of success, it is notable for offering a glimpse of the talent and genre-exploring tendencies that would eventually make Bowie a pop culture icon. It remains an integral part of his extensive discography, demonstrating the early stages of his creative evolution.
