East meets West, and the Ancient, the Modern. That’s what happens every time Luna Lee plays one of your favorites on the Gayageum, a Korean instrument that dates back to the 6th century. We’ve featured her work in years past (see the Relateds below). Above, watch her latest release: a cover of “The Man Who Sold The World,” the song first written by David Bowie in 1970, then famously performed by Nirvana on MTV Unplugged in 1993. An alternate video features Luna on vocals here. Enjoy!
If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, Venmo (@openculture) and Crypto. Thanks!
Related Content:
Watch Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Chile’ Performed on a Gayageum, a Traditional Korean Instrument
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Version of “Little Wing” Played on Traditional Korean Instrument, the Gayageum
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” Played on Korean Instrument Dating Back to 6th Century
Should just say “David Bowie’s”, not “David Bowie / Nirvana’s”, as it isn’t a Nirvana song
Yeah, then it even says “the song first written by David Bowie”, as if Nirvana wrote it next
Please do not give Nirvana equal credit for this song. It is Bowie’s.
Yeah. I thought so too.
Open Culture,
please correct your title. Nirvana does not own any credit tot this song. Mentioning them as such is a serious mistake. Please show respect to David Bowie and his fans.
Mistakes do happen but you should recognize when to correct them.
Thank you.
Imagine describing the Lennon/McCartney classic as the Beatles/Aerosmith “Come Together”… LOL.
That’s how daft the title is.
This is in no way anything to do with nirvana, even the way she played it was David bowie’s version. Bowie, wrote, sang and made his song famous.
She did a fabulous job, doing bowie’s vocal on the beautiful instrument!
The artist herself mentions Nirvana in the title of her video. So, it’s a bit dull to blame Open Culture. The again, Bowie’s death shortly before those comments might explain this over the top sensitivity…