DJ (David Bowie song)
"DJ" is a song by David Bowie, released on the 1979 album Lodger, and then as a single on 29 June 1979.
"DJ" | ||||
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Single by David Bowie | ||||
from the album Lodger | ||||
B-side | "Repetition" | |||
Released | 29 June 1979 | |||
Recorded | Mountain, Montreux, September 1978; Record Plant, New York City, March 1979 | |||
Genre | New wave, funk rock | |||
Length | 3:59 (Album Version) 3:20 (Single Version) | |||
Label | RCA BOW 3 | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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David Bowie singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"D.J." on YouTube |
A cynical comment on the cult of the DJ, the track is noted for Adrian Belew's guitar solo, which was recorded in multiple takes, and then mixed back together for the album track. In a biography of Talking Heads, it is said this song was an attempt by Bowie to sing like David Byrne, who was befriending Brian Eno at the time. The single was an edited version, but was still possibly too uncommercial for substantial chart success – it peaked at No. 29 in the UK and No. 106 on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart in the US.[1]
Track listing
- "DJ" (Bowie, Eno, Alomar) – 3:20
- "Repetition" (Bowie) – 2:59
Benny Benassi Remix
- "DJ (David Bowie vs. Benny Benassi)" – 2:35
- "DJ (David Bowie vs. Benny Benassi)" (extended) – 6:19
Production credits
- Producers:
- Musicians:
- David Bowie: Vocals, Chamberlin, Piano
- Adrian Belew: Guitar
- Carlos Alomar: Guitar
- George Murray: Bass Guitar
- Dennis Davis: Drums
- Simon House: Violin
- Brian Eno: Synthesizer on "Repetition"
Music video
David Mallet filmed a music video for the song, featuring Bowie destroying a DJ studio, mixed with Bowie strolling around London and attracting a crowd of curious passers-by.
Other releases
- It appeared on the following compilations:
- Chameleon (Australia/New Zealand 1979)
- ChangesTwoBowie (1981) (single edit)
- Fame and Fashion (1984)
- The Singles Collection (1993) (single edit on U.S. version)
- The Best of David Bowie 1974/1979 (1998)
- Best of Bowie (US/Canada 2002)
- The Platinum Collection (2005/2006)
- It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.
- The single edit of the song was included on Re:Call 3, part of the A New Career in a New Town (1977–1982) compilation (2017).[2]
Cover versions
- Danny Michel - Loving the Alien: Danny Michel Sings the Songs of David Bowie (2004)
- Momus - Turpsycore (2015)
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book. Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
- "A NEW CAREER IN A NEW TOWN (1977 – 1982) - David Bowie Latest News". DavidBowie.com. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5