Scary Monsters

David Bowie's studio album immediately before Scary Monsters was Lodger, released in 1979, which was the third and final installment of his Berlin Trilogy produced with Tony Visconti and Brian Eno. Scary Monsters, released in 1980, marked a shift away from that experimental period toward a sharper new wave sound.

"Ashes to Ashes," the lead single from Scary Monsters (1980), revisits the character of Major Tom from Bowie's 1969 hit "Space Oddity," now revealing him as a "junkie" in a much darker context. The song is widely interpreted as Bowie reflecting on his own struggles with substance abuse during the 1970s.

Robert Fripp of King Crimson contributed guitar work on Scary Monsters, notably on the track "Fashion." The album also featured Pete Townshend of The Who on guitar, continuing Bowie's tradition of collaborating with prominent rock musicians on his recordings.

Scary Monsters is frequently cited by critics as one of David Bowie's strongest albums, often viewed as the high-water mark closing his most acclaimed creative period of the 1970s. Its blend of art rock and new wave, along with the commercial success of "Ashes to Ashes," cemented its reputation among fans and critics alike.