It’s a Bowie-tiful day: 16 reasons we love David Bowie in Gifs

On his 66th birthday and after a decade of radio silence, David Bowie has released a new single (above) with a new album heading our way in March. The singer, who shot to fame in the late 60s, transformed pop music forever and made being in your sixties sexy, held his last concert in 2006 and hasn’t been seen in public much since. However, it looks as though he’ll be making a come back this year not only with this welcome addition to our soundwaves but an exhibition dedicated to him at the V&A too. So, why do we love the glam-rock Space Oddity? It wasn’t just the music (though that was pretty spectacular); there were a few things that made him go from David Jones to eternal rock idol… Carly-Ann Clements

1. He moved to the beat of his own drum

2. And he did it so well – look at that hair!

3. He made saying you’re gay acceptable in the 70s (even when you’re married and then marry again later in life)

4. And he out-cooled Mick Jagger

5. He can make even playing the recorder look epic

6. When he sang, he sang to you

7. And, let’s face it, he’s pretty sexy

8. He can make a mesh top look good, for god’s sake

9. And blue eyeshadow

10. And talking of eyes…

11. He made braces a little less necessary

12. He was the Goblin King

13. And defied gravity

14. He made being yourself completely acceptable

15. And he was full of surprises, like splitting up his band live on stage

16. But most of all his music, charm and charisma still wins us over 44 years on

So happy birthday Mr Bowie, we can’t wait to see more of you in 2013.

It would be hard for us to assess the length and breadth of Bowie’s entire career, but we thought we’d tickle your fancy with a truly epic Spotify playlist and suggest you take time to savour the gliding soar of new song ‘Where Are We Now?’ in time for the March release of new album ‘The Next Day’. Let’s dance.

Download ‘Where are we now?’ here or find out more about the David Bowie is…exhibition.

Tags: carly-ann clements, david bowie, david bowie is, music, v&a, where are we now?