Absolute Beginners (David Bowie song)

This article is about the song by David Bowie. For the song by the Jam, see Absolute Beginners (The Jam song).
"Absolute Beginners"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-side Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)
Released March 1986
Format 7"/12" single, 3"/5" CD single, Digital download
Recorded Shepherds Bush, London, June 1985
Genre Rock
Length 8:03 (full-length album version)
5:36 (single version)
Label Virgin
VS838
Writer(s) David Bowie
Producer(s)
David Bowie singles chronology
"Dancing in the Street"
(1985)		 "Absolute Beginners"
(1986)		 "Underground"
(1986)
Music video
"Absolute Beginners" on YouTube

"Absolute Beginners" was the theme tune to the film of the same name (itself an adaptation of the book Absolute Beginners), composed and performed by David Bowie.

Bowie was good friends with the film's director, Julien Temple (who had worked with him in 1984 on the Jazzin' for Blue Jean short film), and landed both the supporting role of Vendice Partners, and the deal to record the theme tune.

The sessions at Shepherds Bush, London, were set up in a novel way, with a group of session musicians all receiving a card to work at the studio with "Mr X", who turned out to be Bowie. The sessions were completed rapidly, but the song was delayed due to the problems with completing the film. Virgin wanted the release to tie in with the film's opening. Shortly after the sessions wrapped, Mick Jagger flew in to record "Dancing in the Street", which used many of the same musicians.

The single reached No. 2 in the UK charts, and No. 53 in America. Bowie performed it live on his Glass Spider and 2000 tours. The song featured Rick Wakeman on piano: it was the third time those two musicians worked together, after Bowie's Space Oddity single and the Hunky Dory album.

Track listing

All tracks by David Bowie

3" CD: Virgin CDT 20 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" - 8:03
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" - 5:40

CD: Virgin CDF 20 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" - 8:03
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" - 5:40

7": Virgin VS 838 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:36
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42

12": Virgin VSG 838–12 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42

12": EMI America SPRO 9623 (US)

  1. "Absolute Beginners (Edited Version)" – 4:46
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00

Download: EMI iVS 838 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:36
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00
  3. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42

Download: Amazon.com (US)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:37
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:03
  3. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:39
  4. "That's Motivation" - 4:14
  5. "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)" - 3:13

Music video

Julian Temple shot the music video, which echoed the 1950s style of the movie. The video was a homage to an old British advert for Strand cigarettes. The ill-fated advertising tagline "You're never alone with a Strand." is quoted by Partners in the film. The video also uses footage from the film.

Production credits

Gil Evans sings the refrain of the song in the film.

Live versions

Other releases

Cover versions

Chart positions

Chart Position
UK Singles Chart 2
Canada Singles Chart 45[1]
Norway Singles Chart 4
US Mainstream Rock Tracks 9
US Billboard Hot 100 53

References

  1. ↑ Library and Archives Canada: Top Singles – Volume 44, No. 7, May 10, 1986, 10 May 1987, retrieved 11 July 2014

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

External links

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