Never Let Me Down (song)

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"Never Let Me Down"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Never Let Me Down
B-side(s)	'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
Producer(s)	David Bowie, David Richards
Chart positions
#34 (UK) #27 (US)
David Bowie singles chronology
"Time Will Crawl" 1987	"Never Let Me Down” 1987	Tin Machine: "Under the God" 1988 David Bowie: "Fame '90" 1990

"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 1 Track listing 1.1 7": EMI America / EA 239 (UK) 1.2 12": EMI America / 12EA 239 (UK) 1.3 12": EMI / V-19255 (US) 1.4 CD: Toshiba-EMI / CP20-5520 (Japan) 1.5 Promotional CD 2 Production credits 3 Other releases 4 Cover versions 5 References

[edit] Track listing

[edit] 7": EMI America / EA 239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down" (Bowie/Alomar) – 3:58
2. "'87 and Cry (edit)" (Bowie) – 3:53

[edit] 12": EMI America / 12EA 239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Mix)" (Bowie/Alomar) – 7:00
2. "'87 and Cry (edit)" (Bowie) - 4:18
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" (Bowie/Alomar) – 3:55
4. "Never Let Me Down (A cappella)" (Bowie/Alomar) – 2:03

• The A-side is referred to as Extended Dance Remix on the sleeve but Extended Dance Mix on the label.
• '87 and Cry was deleted from the 12" in some territories.

[edit] 12": EMI / V-19255 (US)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Remix)" – 7:00
2. "Never Let Me Down (7" Remix Edit)"
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 3:55
4. "Never Let Me Down (Acapella)" - 2:03
5. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)"
6. "'87 And Cry (Edit)" - 4:18

[edit] CD: Toshiba-EMI / CP20-5520 (Japan)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
2. "Never Let Me Down (7" remix)" - 3:58
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
4. "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
5. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14
6. "'87 and Cry (single version)" - 3:53

[edit] Promotional CD

1. "Never Let Me Down (Edit)"
2. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
3. "Never Let Me Down (LP version)" - 6:11
4. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
5. "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
6. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14

[edit] Production credits

• Producers:
  • David Bowie
  • David Richards

• 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 apepared on the compilation Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)

[edit] Cover versions

• Birth Marc - Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)

[edit] References

Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5