Velvet Goldmine (song)
| "Velvet Goldmine" | |
|---|---|
maxi-single, with "Velvet Goldmine" as the second track on side B | |
| Song by David Bowie | |
| Released | 26 September 1975 |
| Recorded | 11 November 1971 |
| Studio | Trident, London |
| Genre | Glam rock |
| Length | 3:14 |
| Label | RCA |
| Songwriter(s) | David Bowie |
| Producer(s) |
|
"Velvet Goldmine" is a song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. A glam rock number with lyrical references to oral sex, it was originally recorded on 11 November 1971 at Trident Studios in London during the sessions for his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. It was ultimately left off the album and subsequently released as a B-side (along with "Changes") of the UK re-release of "Space Oddity" in 1975. Praised by biographers as an undervalued classic, it later appeared on compilation albums, including on Re:Call 1, part of the Five Years (1969–1973) boxed set, in 2015. Its namesake was used for Todd Haynes's 1998 film of the same name.
Overview
Musically, "Velvet Goldmine" is a
The song remained unreleased until 1975 when
Later releases
The song was included on the 1982 RCA compilation Rare, where it was accompanied by a set of inaccurate lyrics.[2] Eight years later in 1990, the song appeared as a bonus track on Rykodisc's CD reissue of Ziggy Stardust.[8] It subsequently appeared on The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974 in 1997,[9] the Ziggy Stardust 30th Anniversary reissue bonus disc in 2002, and on Re:Call 1, part of the Five Years (1969–1973) boxed set, in 2015.[2] The song's namesake was also used for filmmaker Todd Haynes's 1998 film of the same name,[1][2][5] a film that features numerous allusions to Bowie's career.[10] The band King Volcano also took their name from the song.[10]
Personnel
According to Chris O'Leary:[1]
- 12-string acoustic guitar
- Mick Ronson – electric guitar, piano, backing vocals
- Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
- Mick Woodmansey – drums
Technical
- David Bowie – producer
- engineer
- Dennis MacKay – engineer
References
- ^ a b c d e f g O'Leary 2015, chap. 5.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pegg 2016, p. 298.
- ^ Cann 2010, pp. 230–231.
- ^ a b c Doggett 2012, pp. 158–159.
- ^ a b c Raggett, Ned. "'Velvet Goldmine' – David Bowie". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ Pegg 2016, p. 781.
- ^ a b Buckley 2005, p. 234.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars [Bonus Tracks] – David Bowie". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "David Bowie – The Best of David Bowie 1969–1974". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^ a b Pegg 2016, p. 714.
Sources
- Buckley, David (2005) [1999]. Strange Fascination – David Bowie: The Definitive Story. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 978-0-75351-002-5.
- Cann, Kevin (2010). Any Day Now – David Bowie: The London Years: 1947–1974. Adelita. ISBN 978-0-95520-177-6.
- ISBN 978-0-06-202466-4.
- O'Leary, Chris (2015). Rebel Rebel: All the Songs of David Bowie from '64 to '76. Winchester: ISBN 978-1-78099-244-0.
- ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0.
