in 2007: "As soon as I heard 'Starman' and saw him on Top of the Pops, I was hooked. I seem to remember me being the first to say it, and then there was a host of other people saying how the Top of the Pops performance changed their lives." Elton John said: "It was so different, it was like Wow. No one had ever seen anything like that before". The Top of the Pops performance was included on the DVD version of Best of Bowie in 2002. In addition to the TV performances, Bowie played the song for radio listeners on the BBC's Johnny Walker Lunchtime Show on 22 May 1972. This performance was broadcast in early June 1972 and eventually released on Bowie at the Beeb in 2000. Critical reception Ian Fortnam of Classic Rock, when ranking every track on the album, placed "Starman" at number two, behind "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide", writing that there are several things an octave leap can do: one can "guarantee" a hit, one can elicit an emotional response in listeners, but most importantly, when used the right way, can launch a career. While he calls Judy Garland's leap in "Over the Rainbow" the greatest octave leap of all time, Bowie's use of one on both "Starman" and "Life on Mars?" both launched his career. Mojo magazine listed it as Bowie's third best track in 2015, behind "Heroes" and "Life on Mars?. In 2018, the writers of NME listed "Starman" as Bowie's 15th greatest song. In a list of Bowie's 50 greatest songs, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian ranked the song 11th, calling it "a series of compelling musical steals" – mentioning the likes of T. Rex, "Over the Rainbow" and "Melting Pot" by Blue Mink – and "a brash announcement of Bowie’s commercial rebirth." In a 2016 list ranking every Bowie single from worst to best, Ultimate Classic Rock placed "Starman" at number 17. In February 1999, Q magazine listed the single as one of the 100 greatest singles of all time, as voted by readers. Charts and certifications Weekly charts Certifications Personnel According to biographers Kevin Cann and Chris O'Leary: David Bowie – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, producer Mick Ronson – electric guitar, Mellotron, string arrangement, backing vocals Trevor Bolder – bass guitar Mick Woodmansey – drums Ken Scott – producer Other releases "Starman" has appeared on numerous Bowie compilations: The