Puneet Varma (Editor)

Speed of Life (David Bowie song)

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Released
  
14 January 1977

Length
  
2:46

Writer(s)
  
David Bowie

Recorded
  
September 1976

Label
  
RCA

Genre
  
Instrumental rockart rockelectronic rock

"Speed of Life" is the first instrumental by David Bowie. It is the opening track for his album Low from 1977.

Contents

"Speed of Life" introduces the Low album, and, coupled with the similarly upbeat instrumental "A New Career in a New Town", provides a front bookend for the A-side of the album. The track makes several immediate implications about the content of the album, with its heavy use of synthesizers as both effects and instruments, with the presence of Dennis Davis' drums and the overlaid harmonizer creating a distinctly different mix than any previous Bowie album.

Lyrics were originally planned for this song, but Bowie abandoned the idea after several attempts, deciding that the piece stood better on its own.

Live versions

  • A spring 1978 performance from the "Heroes" tour can be heard on Stage.

    • Other releases

  • It was released as the B-side of the single "Be My Wife" in June 1977.
  • It also appeared in the Sound + Vision box set.
  • It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.

    • Production credits

  • Producers:
  • Tony Visconti
  • Musicians:
  • David Bowie: ARP synthesizer, Chamberlin
  • Carlos Alomar: Guitar
  • George Murray: Bass
  • Dennis Davis: Drums
  • Roy Young: Piano

    • Cover versions

  • ST-37 - Only Bowie (1995)

    • References

    Speed of Life (David Bowie song) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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