David Bowie’s GREATEST Embarrassment
How and why did David Bowie, one of the most iconic musicians of all time, create such an embarrassing song? And why does it keep rearing its head? This is the story of Bowie’s 1967 single “The Laughing Gnome,” how it returned with a vengeance in 1973, and how it caused mischief in 1990.
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Poetic Wax is hosted by Andy Fenstermaker.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 David Bowie’s Greatest Embarrassment
1:53 Revisiting Bowie’s Early Years
4:55 The Laughing Gnome’s Initial Flop
6:01 How Ziggy Stardust Resurrected the Gnome
7:29 Bowie’s Sound & Vision Tour and NME’s Gnome Mischief
11:53 Requiem for a Laughing Gnome
12:52 The Legacy of the Laughing Gnome
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@AndyFenstermaker
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Next, dig into the story of what Andy Warhol thought of the song David Bowie wrote about him: https://youtu.be/2f8Gux3JLOU
@ellanes77
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Cool shirt bro
@starrywizdom
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Novelty songs are pretty much all ridiculous — that's kind of the point. I admire Bowie for not being afraid to fail in his experiments.
@BacBac-g5e
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Nevertheless a Belgium 1967 copy with sleeve in mint condition goes for €7,999.99 nowadays .
@DarlaKrings
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
He's dead leave him alone, think of all the good ones he had out.
@maxq904
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
For all your "opinions" , you try & write a song like that & one as technically/musically competent & see if it turns out as good. Also a smash hit in other countries.
@Reprodestruxion
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
But the sped up voice led us to Fame
@TheChadTI
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
I'm a Please Mr. Gravedigger kind of guy. Best fake sneezes on record.
@BelteshazzarBaumbruck
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
11:00 "We'll hire Jim Henson!" There's an allusion to another Laughing Gnome prank there: One the first day of filming for 'Labyrinth' (1987), when Bowie made his first entrance as the Goblin King, the film crew conspired to start playing The Laughing Gnome on a cassette player during the first take. Bowie laughed it off, … but they needed to film another take! Bowie's young co-star Jennifer Connelly was too young to remember The Laughing Gnome and therefore somewhat bewildered. (This is from the Labyrinth 'making of' documentary: It's a member of the film crew who tells the story).
@Niesrind
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Then again there were a bunch of songs in the 70s in the same manner like the smurf song or some pitched up alien visiting earth.
Sadly, Bowie chickened out of playing it live – I'd love to have heard an updated version where the gnome is a serial killer and laughing with NiN beats in the background.
Think about Chucky (the horror movie puppet) singing "I'm a laughing gnome and you can't catch me"…
@franko2886
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
The Laughing Gnome is a brilliant light hearted fun song. Don't be a square …enjoy It's quirkey British humour.
@Earthling2Bowie
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
I love "The Laughing Gnome" and the lyrics are his all-time best, yes better than “Heroes”!~ “Heroes” was just for one day, but the laughing gnome is running and you can't catch him! I cry every time I hear it, especially when he eats toadstools.
@Gozzillacia
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Bollox – Bowie did an album of children's songs that's all. There is a whole album of "nursery rhythm songs" – and actually they are pretty good.
@natesaar3034
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
I actually like the song too. I love all that early stuff. Especially the lower third stuff.
@OnaOmaOla
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Even his best albums had some really dorky cringe moments in them.
@Mikehoffmanart
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
The fake gesturing and constant hand-wagging is too goddamn annoying to sit thru these videos, let alone subscribe. PLEASE STOP IT!
@hazTman
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
I don't believe this is a well known fact, but this song is based on a roadie who worked with Bowie. He's my nans neighbour and if you met him you'd understand how "laughing gnome" like he actually is. The Eastbourne line matches up too as that's where he's from 🙂
@Alianger
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Embarassement? It's a fun song he made when he was like 19
@sandrakenney567
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
HAA HAA HAA HOO HOO HOO EEE EEE LAA LAA LAA HEE HEE HEE HAA HAA 😂😂HOO HOO 🤣🤣 LAA LAA LAA🤗🤗 HEE HEE HEE😂🤣🤗😂😂😂😂😂
@davidtaylorfilms
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Still waiting to see Warhol's 1964 Superman movie.
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