Beauty and the Beast (song)
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- For other uses, see Beauty and the Beast (disambiguation).
| "Beauty and the Beast” | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by David Bowie | ||
| From the album "Heroes" | ||
| B-side | ”Sense of Doubt” | |
| Released | January 1978 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | Hansa By The Wall Studio, Berlin; May 1977 | |
| Genre | Rock/Electronic | |
| Length | 3:32 | |
| Label | RCA PB 1190 |
|
| Producers | David Bowie, Tony Visconti | |
| Chart positions | #39 (UK) | |
| David Bowie singles chronology | ||
| "Heroes" 1977 |
"Beauty and the Beast” 1978 |
"Breaking Glass" 1978 |
Not to be confused with the song of the 1991 Disney film, ”Beauty and the Beast” was a single by David Bowie. It became the second release from his album "Heroes" in January 1978, and was a minor UK hit.
The song has been interpreted as a look back at Bowie’s severe mood swings during his cocaine addiction while living in Los Angeles from 1975 to 1976, with the line “Thank God Heaven left us standing on our feet” seen as the singer’s gratitude for being past that phase. It can also be interpreted as a song about adultery.
The track is often seen as an unconventional choice for a single – perhaps something reflected in it peaking at #39 in the UK singles chart. The US release failed to chart, despite having “Fame” as a B-side, and an extended disco remix on the 12” single.
The song has been performed only on Bowie's 1978 tour, with a version appearing on Stage.
The song has been covered by the now-disbanded Christian heavy metal band Deliverance on their Camelot-in-Smithereens album 1995.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
- "Beauty and the Beast" (Bowie) – 3:32
- "Sense of Doubt" (Bowie) – 3:57
[edit] Production credits
[edit] Live versions
- A live version recorded on the Heroes tour at the Philadelphia Spectrum, April 28-29, 1978, was released on the live album Stage.
[edit] Other releases
- It appeared on the following compilations:
- Chameleon (Holland 1979)
- Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)
- The Singles Collection (1993)
- The Best of 1974/1979 (1998)
- It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.
[edit] References
Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5
