Lulu to perform David Bowie track The Man Who Sold The World on tour
Lulu has said she will perform the David Bowie collaboration The Man Who Sold The World on her upcoming tour.
During an interview with the Press Association, the Scottish star said: "I can't not sing The Man Who Sold The World. I can't not do that song."
Bowie co-produced Lulu's version of the title track from his third studio album with musician Mick Ronson.
It was released as a single in 1974 and peaked at number three, giving Lulu an unlikely top five hit after 1969's Boom Bang-A-Bang.
"That was a very big important point in my career and I had a personal relationship, albeit for a moment," she recalled of her time with the late pop star.
"Like everyone of his generation, I feel sad for him, but I feel really sad, because I'm a woman, for his wife and for his family.
"From what I can tell, I think they're coping with it beautifully and I think he came to terms with his death quite admirably."
Born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, the 67-year-old has been singing ever since she cracked the UK Singles Chart with a cover of Shout by The Isley Brothers in 1964.
This year, she has teamed with The Military Wives Choirs for new single Cry.
Due for release on February 26, all proceeds will be donated to The Military Wives Choir Foundation.
The charity, for service personnel and their families, supports women in the British military community.
When asked how she became involved with the Military Wives, Lulu discussed her struggle with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
"Several years ago I was diagnosed with having PTSD. I have been anxious all my life," she said.
"I started in the music business very young and I come from a violent childhood in my home. I would never talk about that when I was younger.
"My duty was to take care of my family, never to tell anything that went on in my home, everything was a secret.
"So, to me, if I didn't take care of everyone, the world would fall apart - as a child, you sort of get these messages.
"I was very responsible and when I became famous and successful, I was the breadwinner and had people on the payroll so I was doubly, doubly responsible and doubly anxious. But keeping everything to myself."
Keen to set the record straight, she added: "This is not about me blaming my parents. They had a very volatile, violent relationship and I was in the middle of it.
"They had a very strange upbringing themselves, some of it to do with addiction like alcoholism. I'm trying to explain the PTSD because it was a shock to learn that I had that. I'm hearing this PTSD and I'm thinking, but isn't that what I hear soldiers have?"
The star continued: "I was told, your childhood was a battleground. You kind of lived in a warzone as a child. My upbringing set me up in maybe not a good way in some ways, but set me up in other ways in a very resilient way.
"My parents coped as well as they coped. Bottom line, I feel I can relate to the soldiers and their families and that's why I'm doing this song. I wanted to help in some small way."
To support the single's release, Lulu will perform Cry with a different Military Wives Choir at each of her 34 UK tour dates throughout March and April.
