Golden Years (song)
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| "Golden Years" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by David Bowie | ||
| from the album Station to Station | ||
| B-side(s) | ”Can You Hear Me” | |
| Released | November 1975 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | Cherokee Studios, Hollywood; October 1975 | |
| Genre | Soul/Disco/Rock | |
| Length | 3:22 | |
| Label | RCA 2640 |
|
| Producer(s) | David Bowie, Harry Maslin | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| David Bowie singles chronology | ||
| "Fame" 1975 |
"Golden Years” 1975 |
"TVC 15" 1976 |
Golden Years was a single written by David Bowie in 1975, first released as a shortened single in November 1975, and as the full-length song the following year in 1976 on the Station to Station album.
The song was the first track completed during the strenuous Station to Station sessions, a period when Bowie’s cocaine addiction was at its peak. When it first appeared as a single in 1975, it presented a rather skewed view of the forthcoming album, being more similar to the Young Americans material from earlier in 1975 than the rest of the album, which was closer to the Kraftwerk-influenced electronic music that Bowie would move into for his late 1970s albums, clearly focused on the disco circuit.
A video clip made from the 4 November 1975 edition of Soul Train was used to promote the song, which continued Bowie’s commercial success in the United States, reaching the top 10. It achieved #8 in the UK.
Bowie said he wrote the song intending to give it to Elvis Presley to perform, but who declined it.[1] Both Angela Bowie and Ava Cherry claim to have been the inspiration for the song.[1]
Played sporadically by Bowie on the 1976 tour, and regularly on the 1983, 1990 and 2000 tours. This song was played as the theme song of Stephen King's Golden Years.
The song also appeared as the B-side of the alternate version of the single Fame.
Contents |
[edit] Track listing
- "Golden Years" (Bowie) – 3:22
- "Can You Hear Me?" (Bowie) – 5:04
[edit] Production credits
- Producer:
- Harry Maslin
- David Bowie
- Tony Visconti on “Can You Hear Me”
- Musicians:
- David Bowie: Vocals, Guitar
- Carlos Alomar, Earl Slick: Guitar on “Golden Years”
- George Murray: Bass on “Golden Years”
- Dennis Davis: Drums on “Golden Years”
- Roy Bittan: Piano on “Golden Years”
- Willie Weeks: Bass on “Can You Hear Me”
- Mike Garson: Piano on “Can You Hear Me”
- Andy Newmark: Drums on “Can You Hear Me”
- David Sanborn: Saxophone on “Can You Hear Me”
- Pablo Rosario: Percussion on “Can You Hear Me”
- Larry Washington: Conga on “Can You Hear Me”
- Ava Cherry, Robin Clark, Luther Vandross: Backing vocals on “Can You Hear Me”
[edit] Other releases
- It was released as the B-side of the US release of "John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)" in December 1979.
- In November 1981 it appeared as the B-side of the single "Wild is the Wind"
- It was released as picture discs in the RCA Life Time picture disc set and the Fashion Picture Disc Set.
- Several compilations have features this song:
- ChangesOneBowie (1976)
- Best of Bowie (1980)
- Golden Years (1983)
- Changesbowie (1990)
- Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)
- The Singles Collection (1993)
- The single edit also appeared on The Best of 1974/1979 (1998).
[edit] Cover versions
- Nina Hagen – Live recording: Fearless/Angstlos tour
- Bruce Lash – Sad Sack (1999)
- Loose Ends - So Where Are You? (1985)
- Marilyn Manson - Dead Man On Campus soundtrack (1998)
- Dave Matthews Band - Live recording
- Pearl Jam - Live recording
- Amberjack Rice, Walter Traggert and Breakfastime - Only Bowie (1995)
- Swell - Crash Course for the Ravers - A Tribute to the Songs of David Bowie (1996)
- Track One A.B. - Reverie (1999)
- Walk DMC - Ashes To Ashes: A Tribute To David Bowie (1998)
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5
