He Was Nearly 80 When He Recorded This Song — And Many Thought It Was Engelbert Humperdinck’s Quiet Farewell
When people think of Engelbert Humperdinck, they often picture the romantic crooner of the 1960s and 70s — a smooth, elegant voice singing timeless love songs. That’s why many listeners were surprised when he recorded “Absolute Beginners”, not because of the song itself, but because of when he chose to sing it.
“Absolute Beginners” was originally written and performed by David Bowie in 1986 for the film of the same name. In Bowie’s version, the song captures youthful vulnerability — the hopeful uncertainty of falling in love for the first time. But when Engelbert Humperdinck recorded his rendition decades later, the meaning shifted dramatically.
At nearly 80 years old, Engelbert was no longer a “beginner” in life or love. He had experienced fame, long tours, private heartbreaks, and a career that spanned more than sixty years. When he sings the opening lines, the song no longer sounds like a young man’s promise — it feels like a quiet confession from someone who has lived fully.
What makes Engelbert’s version so powerful is its restraint. He doesn’t attempt to modernize the song or compete with Bowie’s original. Instead, he lets his aged, slightly weathered voice do the work. Each line feels reflective, almost like a memory being spoken aloud.
Many older listeners have said that Engelbert’s “Absolute Beginners” feels deeply personal — like a song about love at a later stage in life, when grand promises are gone and only sincerity remains. It speaks to those who understand that love, even when it arrives late, can still feel like the first time.
Because of this emotional weight, some fans assumed the recording was meant as a farewell. Engelbert never labeled it as such, but the song’s gentle humility led many to hear it as a quiet goodbye.
Throughout his long career, Engelbert Humperdinck has rarely explained himself publicly. He lets music speak for him. And in “Absolute Beginners,” listeners hear not a legend performing, but a man reflecting — still willing to love, even if only in memory.
It may not be his most famous song, but for many, it is one of his most honest.