The Man Who Sold the World cover

The Man Who Sold the World

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David Bowie

The Man Who Sold the World (1970)art rockTop 5%2:58SpotifyYouTubeApple Music
Key: D minorTuning: StandardTempo: 120 BPMestTime signature: 4/4

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Compare every playable arrangement, then open the exact version that has the parts you need.

100%9 tracks · 4,771 notes · A minor · 122 BPM· 2:58Recommended
Distortion guitar
Tenor sax
Overdriven guitar
Electric guitar (clean)
Electric bass (pick)
Standard drum kit
Ocarina
Lead 1 (square)
Cello
95%5 tracks · 5,829 notes · A minor · 120 BPM· 4:06extendedLive BBC 2000
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Bass
Drums
Lead Vocals
90%9 tracks · 12,529 notes · A minor · 118 BPM· 4:04extended
Main Riff
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Main Riff
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus
Main Riff
Final Chorus
Main Riff
Fade Out
Lead Vocals
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Guitar 3
Guitar 4
Bass
Sax
Drums 1
Drums 2
90%8 tracks · 10,484 notes · A minor · 116 BPM· 4:15extended
Lead Vocals
Backing Vocals
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Organ
Bass
Drums 1
Drums 2

Musical analysis below is derived from the recommended version —9 tracks · 2:58

About this song

The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie is in D minor, around 120 BPM, 4/4 time. This 9-track arrangement runs 2:58 (Electric guitar (clean), Overdriven guitar, Distortion guitar, Electric bass (pick), Cello, Tenor sax, and Drums). 4 versions available to play and practice.

Difficulty by instrument

How hard each detected part is to play in the recommended version.

GuitarAdvanced
7.43 notes/sec
BassIntermediate
2.15 notes/sec
DrumsIntermediate
4.1 notes/sec
OtherBeginner
1.55 notes/sec
OtherBeginner
0.93 notes/sec

Chord progressionsestimated

Roman numerals (transposable to any key) over the actual chords. Play a section, or hover any chord for its piano & guitar shape and a play button.

Section

About the key of D minor

D minor is the 3rd most common key in our catalog. Its three core chords are Dm, Gm, and Am.

More from David Bowie

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  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars · 4 versions · G major · 80 BPM

  • Let’s Dance · 4 versions · A# minor · 114 BPM

  • The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars · 5 versions · D major · 144 BPM

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Featured in

The Man Who Sold the World appears on the soundtrack of Kurt Cobain: About a Son, Lazarus.