Never Let Me Down (song)
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| “Never Let Me Down” | |||||
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| Single by David Bowie from the album Never Let Me Down |
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| B-side | '87 and Cry | ||||
| Released | August 1987 | ||||
| Format | 7"/12" single | ||||
| Recorded | Mountain Studios, Montreux, Autumn 1986 | ||||
| Genre | Rock/Pop | ||||
| Length | 3:58 | ||||
| Label | EMI EA239 |
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| Producer | David Bowie, David Richards | ||||
| David Bowie singles chronology | |||||
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"Never Let Me Down" is the title track on David Bowie's album Never Let Me Down. It was issued as the third single from the album in August 1987 – it would be Bowie's last solo single until 1992's "Real Cool World", barring a remix of "Fame".
The song is seen as a homage to Bowie's late friend John Lennon, and is one of the more respected songs on a much-maligned album – like "Time Will Crawl", the track is often complimented for its simple, straightforward arrangement. Despite comparisons to Lennon, Bowie at the time dedicated the track to his long-serving personal assistant Corinne "Coco" Schwab.
Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed a dream-like video of a 1950s-style ‘Dance Marathon' for the single. However, it continued Bowie's recent string of chart disappointments in the UK, stalling at #34. It fared slightly better in America, reaching #27.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
- A-side written by Bowie/Alomar, b-side by Bowie
[edit] 7": EMI America / EA 239 (UK)
- "Never Let Me Down" – 3:58
- "'87 and Cry (edit)" – 3:53
[edit] MC: EMI America / TCEA 239 (UK)
- "Never Let Me Down" – 3:58
- "Day-In Day-Out (Groucho Mix)"
- "Time Will Crawl (Extended Dance Mix)" - 6:00
- "'87 and Cry (edit)" – 3:53
[edit] 12": EMI America / 12EA 239 (UK)
- "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Mix)" – 7:00
- "'87 and Cry (edit)" - 4:18
- "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" – 3:55
- "Never Let Me Down (A cappella)" – 2:03
- '87 and Cry was deleted from the 12" in some territories.
[edit] 12": EMI / V-19255 (US)
- "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Remix)" – 7:00
- "Never Let Me Down (7" Remix Edit)"
- "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 3:55
- "Never Let Me Down (Acapella)" - 2:03
- "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)"
- "'87 And Cry (Edit)" - 4:18
[edit] CD: Toshiba-EMI / CP20-5520 (Japan)
- "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
- "Never Let Me Down (7" remix)" - 3:58
- "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
- "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
- "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14
- "'87 and Cry (single version)" - 3:53
[edit] CD: EMI America / DPRO-31352 (US)
- "Never Let Me Down (Edit)"
- "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
- "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
- "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
- "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14
- "Never Let Me Down (LP version)" - 6:11
- Promo CD
[edit] Download: EMI / iEA239 (UK)
- "Never Let Me Down" – 3:58
- "'87 and Cry (edit)" – 3:53
- "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
- "Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acappella)" - 5:57
- "Shining Star (12" Mix)" - 6:27
- released 2007
[edit] Production credits
- Musicians:
- David Bowie: Vocals
- Carlos Alomar: Guitar
- Erdal Kizilcay: Bass, Drums, Keyboards
- 'Crusher' Bennett: Percussion
- Additional musicians on Extended Dance Mix, Dub and Acapella:
- David Eiland: Alto Sax
- Steve Hodge: Keyboards
- Spencer Bernard: Synthesizers
[edit] Other releases
- It appeared on the compilation Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)
[edit] Cover versions
- Birth Marc - Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)
[edit] Chart positions
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Singles Chart | 9 |
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks | 15 |
| US Hot Dance Music/Club Play | 17 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 27 |
| UK Singles Chart | 34 |
[edit] References
Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5
