Following the tragic death of David Bowie earlier this week, tributes have been flying in from around the world – and now here’s one stunning commemoration from our own backyard.

It’s been a big year for Sydney rock crew Gang of Youths, who captivated the nation with their album The Positions, picking up five ARIA nominations in the process. Now, they have covered Bowie’s 1977 ballad ‘Heroes’, and it seems like they aren’t alone in their love of the track following Bowie’s passing – this NY Times graph suggests that it’s the most popular Bowie track being streamed right now.

Our friend and GOY frontman Dave Le’aupepe had a few words to go along with the track – read his explanation of the cover and listen below. Remember, there is a David Bowie tribute night organised by Sydney Festival taking place at Hyde Park tonight. See all the details here.

I wish I had some ornate or choice words to express how sad I am at the moment but I don’t, so I figured the best way for me to remember David Bowie was to cover the first song of his that I ever heard. At the risk of being trite, ‘Heroes’ changed my life. The melody accompanying “I, I will be king/and you/you will be queen” is to me, not only the finest melody the Thin White Duke ever wrote but among the finest ever written period. And if you listen to the synth line in the end chorus of our track ‘Radioface’ very, very closely you can hear a small nod to ‘Heroes’.

Thank you to another David, David Andrew for helping me with this.

All hail the Goblin King.