Absolute Beginners

"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	Abbey Road Studios, London, June 1985
Genre	Rock
Length	8:03 (full-length album version) 5:36 (single version)
Label	Virgin VS838
Writer(s)	David Bowie
Producer	David Bowie, Alan Winstanley, Clive Langer
David Bowie singles chronology
"Dancing in the Street" (1985) "Absolute Beginners" (1986) "Underground" (1986)

"Absolute Beginners" was the theme tune to the film of the same name (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 Abbey Road Studios, 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 song fused 1950s-style doo-wop^{[citation needed]} with Bowie's 1980s sound.

The single reached #2 in the UK charts, and #53 in America. Bowie has since performed it live on his Glass Spider and 2000 tours.

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

• issued in a gatefold sleeve

12": EMI America / SPRO 9623 (US)

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

• includes exclusive "edited version"

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

• Original release date (of E.P. download with added tracks 4 and 5): May 28, 2007

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

• Producers:
  • Alan Winstanley
  • Clive Langer

• Musicians:
  • David Bowie: vocals
  • Rick Wakeman: Piano
  • Kevin Armstrong: Guitar
  • Matthew Seligman: Bass
  • Neil Conti: Drums
  • Luis Jardim: percussion
  • Mac Gollehon: Trumpet
  • Don Weller, Gary Barnacle, Paul "Shilts" Weimar, Willie Garnett, Andy MacKintosh, Gordon Murphy: Saxophone
  • Steve Nieve: keyboards
  • Janet Armstrong: Backing vocals

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

Live versions

• The song was performed live during David Bowie's 1987 Glass Spider Tour.
• A version recorded at BBC Radio Theatre, London, June 27, 2000, was released on the bonus disc following the first release of Bowie at the Beeb.

Other releases

• In 1995 it appeared as a bonus track on the Virgin Records rerelease of the album Tonight.
• It appeared on the following compilations:
  • Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993)
  • The Singles Collection (1993)
  • ChangesTwoBowie (1998 reissue)

Cover versions

• Info Riot - Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)
• Saint Etienne - Live recording
• Carla Bruni in We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie (2010).

Chart positions

References

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