We conclude the series of three appointments on Bowie with "Heroes," the artist's twelfth album.

 

The second album of the so-called Berlin Trilogy, which also includes "Low" and "Lodger," "Heroes" is recorded in collaboration with musician Brian Eno and producer Tony Visconti, with the addition of Robert Fripp, guitarist of King Crimson. Musically, the album is a project of experimental rock, with influences from electronic and ambient music. The Berlin recording studio where Bowie and the others gather is located a few hundred meters from the Wall: this is the context in which the album comes to life, and despite the tense atmosphere and somber tone of some tracks, a greater sense of optimism is perceived compared to the previous "Low", partly due to Bowie's improved health.
Inspired by a kiss near the Wall between producer Tony Visconti and singer Antonia Maaß, in the title track Bowie imagines two lovers dreaming of living their story freely, of being "heroes" even just for a day. The main single of the album, the song is a romantic and triumphant anthem, where Robert Fripp's epic guitar motif blends with the synth parts masterfully arranged by Brian Eno. The title is a deliberate reference to the track "Hero" on the album "Neu! '75" by the German band Neu!, which along with Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream deeply influences Bowie's rock.
The album can be considered divided into two parts: the first part encompasses more conventional rock tracks, such as "Heroes" and "Beauty and the Beast," while the second part features more instrumental and experimental tracks, like the eerie "Sense of Doubt" and the delicate "Moss Garden," concluding with the Middle-Eastern vibes of "The Secret Life of Arabia."
In 1977, the album reached the third position in the UK and, although it only made it to the thirty-fifth position in the United States, it was a considerable success in Europe, primarily thanks to the title track, for which versions in French and German were released.

We can therefore conclude this last appointment on Bowie with the wonderful "Heroes," where the voice of the Thin White Duke emerges at its peak of expressiveness and emotional intensity.