The predecessor to "Hunky Dory" was "The Man Who Sold the World", which was almost a heavy metal album; however, with much emphasis on melody. The opening track on "Hunky Dory", "Changes", is very descriptive of the fact that Bowie was undergoing one of the changes, which he continued pursue throughout his career. "Changes" one of the album's many highlights / classics. A very melodic and catchy glam rocker. You feel that Bowie on this album has primarily written his songs at the piano. Next song is also really nice; the very Beatles-like “Oh You Pretty Things”. Before the next big song "Life on Mars", you have to pass the somewhat strange "Eight Line Poem", which is a proof of Bowie's persistent desire to experiment. About "Life on Mars" I can think enough superlatives; so just in short, this one of the greatest songs in pop-rock history. It is supposed to have been heavily inspired by Frank Sinatra's "My Way". "Kooks", which is also a very melodic and catchy song written for Bowie's first child. Different dark is the long "Quicksand", which despite its slightly dark overall content, in fact, too, is very melodic singable; the song could in more ways have fit in nicely with the sequel "Ziggy Stardust".

“Fill Your Heart,” which opens side two on the vinyl version, is a light tune with slightly jazzy elements; e.g. saxophone. This side also features two songs that pay tribute to two artists who have meant much to Bowie. "Andy Warhol" and sounds as if it, unlike most of the songs, was written on the guitar. A fine song that does not quite reach classic status, though. "Song for Bob Dylan" is also a nice song, with a melody that could have been written by Dylan himself. "Queen Bitch" has already been mentioned, and although it can hardly be called a classic, it is one of my big favorites. The album ends with another long track "The Bewlay Brothers", which again shows Bowie from the very quirky and experimental side. A folkish song with a nice acoustic guitar.