For the weekly soundtrack for HBO’s drama series “Vinyl,” Trey Songz covers the David Bowie classic “Life On Mars,” a track from Bowie’s 1973 LP Hunky Dory. Songz doesn’t stray too much from the original format of the song, as he wanted to tribute the music icon in a respectable way.
Songz told Complex, “I had to do what I do best, because icons like David paved the way. After learning of his passing I knew that this was a special moment in time and this cover became my personal tribute to David.”
However, this cover doesn’t come because of Bowies passing in January. Songz says he was approached to do the cover last summer by the producers of “Vinyl.” “The first thing I thought was, ‘Damn that’s a David Bowie song,’” Trey told Complex. “I was honored that the producers thought of such a legend and myself in the same breath…Experiences like this have helped to shape my future and respect the past of others before me. This has become a very special moment in my career and I am blessed and grateful to be apart!”
“Vinyl’s” music supervisor Randall Poster, said Songz was his first choice for the cover.
“When we got the script to episode six of ‘Vinyl,’ there was a scene where Ray Romano’s character, Zak Yankovich, sits alone at the end of his daughter’s bat mitzvah, and the piano player in the band sings David Bowie’s ‘Life on Mars?’ as the rest of the band breaks down their gear,” he explained. “Immediately I thought of Trey Songz who I thought could bring nuance and beauty to David Bowie’s song. Accompanied only by piano, Trey delivered a singular rendering and helped us create an inimitable and powerful dramatic moment in the series. We think it’s magical.”
This cover will be included on Vinyl: Music from the HBO Original Series – Volume 1.6, due to drop tomorrow, March 18th.
Listen to Trigga’s David Bowie tribute below:
