Words and Music by DAVID BOWIE
Illustrations by JAMILLA NAJI
How This Book Came To Be
"The foundations for this book were established
in 1973, when I was eleven years old. In my big brother's bedroom, I found
and eight-track tape titled Images,
which had been written and recorded by David Bowie during the period between
1966 and 1970. I slipped the tape into my brother's stereo and was instantly
spellbound. After receiving my own stereo as a present for my twelfth birthday,
I purchased the two-record vinyl version of Images
for myself. I listened and I listened, again and again. The characters
described in the music were so colorful and curious that I daydreamed about
them through the remainder of my childhood. As I continued to the music,
more and more details of the fabulous characters and scenes began to form
in my imagination. My first painting efforts involved my own interpretations
of songs included on this delightful recording.
As an adult my passion for David Bowie's early
recordings grew stronger. In my late thirties when I became pregnant, I
pictured my little girl singing and dancing to my favorite tunes. It was
then that I decided to transform my lifelong dream into a tangible reality.
My goal was to record a selection of favorite songs on disc*,
then include them in a book with written lyrics and colorful illustrations.
My hope was was that this format would help children navigate the transition
from the spoken word to the written word, while exposing them to music
and visual art.
This book is the result of what has been both
an enjoyable and demanding exploration. With much encouragement from family
and friends, I am now able to share my years of daydreams with you. My
hope is that the words, music and pictures in this book serve to enrich
your imagination and live with you for a lifetime."
Jamiilla Naji 2003
*Note: the CD accompanying this book contains David Bowie's original recordings
01. Uncle
Arthur
02. Rubber
Band
03. There
Is A Happy Land
04. Did
You Ever Have A Dream
05. Sell
Me A Coat
06. Come
And Buy My Toys
07. Maid
Of Bond Street
08. Love
You Till Tuesday
09. When
I Live My Dream
10. Ching-A-Ling
