David Bowie/Nirvana’s “The Man Who Sold The World” Played on the Gayageum, a Korean Instrument from the 6th Century

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!

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Related Content:

Classic Blues Songs By John Lee Hooker, B.B. King & Muddy Waters Played on the Gayageum, a Traditional Korean Instrument

Watch Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Chile’ Performed on a Gayageum, a Traditional Korean Instrument

Three Pink Floyd Songs Played on the Traditional Korean Gayageum: “Comfortably Numb,” “Another Brick in the Wall” & “Great Gig in the Sky”

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


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Comments (8)
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  • Dave says:

    Should just say “David Bowie’s”, not “David Bowie / Nirvana’s”, as it isn’t a Nirvana song

  • Petteri says:

    Yeah, then it even says “the song first written by David Bowie”, as if Nirvana wrote it next

  • charlie says:

    Please do not give Nirvana equal credit for this song. It is Bowie’s.

  • Ivan Barba says:

    Yeah. I thought so too.

  • L.M. van Dijk says:

    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.

  • Veggiedude says:

    Imagine describing the Lennon/McCartney classic as the Beatles/Aerosmith “Come Together”… LOL.

    That’s how daft the title is.

  • Frank says:

    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!

  • Set Kant flat says:

    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…

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