a bit of an indulgence post, then, look you see, because why not. this is, or was, my blog, after all.
for fun, then, or to show off, an incomplete look at what i think is a complete set of the variations of the single release of the song The Buddha Of Suburbia by, and yes it is (or was) quite rare for me to write stuff about him, David Bowie. this single was taken from the album of the same name, and in ostensible terms only was intended as the theme for the (brilliant) television series of the same name.
except, no, it is not complete. i don't, or didn't, have the 7" vinyl single variation. call me, or accuse me of being, not a proper fan if you wish, but as partial defence i think that the 2 CD singles and cassette single versions mean that at the least i have a passing interest.
so far as i am aware this particular single "peaked at" (or reached) 35 in the UK singles chart. which means it counts as top forty single by Bowie, should the subject ever come up on Pointless again, despite the fact that the album it comes from is bewilderingly not classified (officially) as a Bowie album. quite strange. it is a brilliant song, and perhaps the lack of success in the charts comes to not heavily marketing it, or just that the Bowie renaissance was not yet in full swing.
controversy also dogged the single, and made it a bit difficult to get it on the radio, or the video aired. the single features a wonderful line, "can't tell the bullsh!t from the lies", which alas is not radio friendly. also, this was the time (early 90s) of the great purge of media in the USA, and so the video could not be shown there (unedited at least) because Bowie is seen (whisper it) smoking a cigarette in some scenes.
yes, by the way, i did eventually get around to watching the series for which this song, and the album entire, were produced. even if not all that much of the music got used. and what a brilliant show it is too, well worth tracking down. something of an odyssey, if you like. for fans or enthusiasts of such, it is episode three (of the four) which was laced, should i recall right, with nudies.
what took me rather by surprise on the cassette version of the single is the font used for the much loved name of David Bowie. it is, as some of you will not require me to point out, not the font used for the album or single, but rather the one (and styling) from Black Tie White Noise. yes, that album came out in the same year (and is classified as a "proper" Bowie album), but no, so far as i am aware, no other connection. in fact i thought the records were released by two different labels.
tracklistings for the singles? well, probably rather look at the wikipedia page for it, as the various variations in the "mixes" of the titular track are just too much of a headache for me to try and rewrite. but know that all variations and versions are most splendid.
each variation of the single includes, as a b-side, Dead Against It very much in the version that is on the album. well, it sounds so to me, but i am no expert in nuances and slight differences. and what a stunning song that is, too. well, it was always good on the album, but here, in a sort of quasi or partial state of isolation, it is allowed to stand and flow as a song in its own right. i can only tell you so often, this is an album you should hear if you have not already.
of course an image of Bowie (himself) appears on the single, on the reverse cover or inside booklet, or whatever the correct term is. this is the same image from the back of the album, to be sure. and i really do love the picture. everything about it suggests something pensive, or patience, like he is sat there waiting for everyone to work out this album.
not that it really needs much working out. if his cue was to produce music for a television adaptation of a book it is known that he admired, what evolved was something that i remain fairly confident in saying was a heavily "autobiographical" work, as in it is an album which he exposes more of his thoughts and frame of mind in an overt manner. essentially all art is autobiographical to a degree, i suppose (i never was all that clever), but how much is layered and how much is in your face ch-ch-ch-changes. well, yes, also, the album to be most this until, of course, Blackstar.
alas, or sadly, my inept photography skills prevent me from providing you with a decent, clear image of the "special edition" version of the CD single. one that has just two tracks rather than four, but is resplendent with some fine holographic hologram stuff on the disc surface. i can promise or assure you that it does look quite class.
is it worth your time hunting down any or all of the variations of the single of The Buddha Of Suburbia? well, yes, no, maybe. should you get worried about people not believing you are a "proper fan" then sure. but, in truth, getting just the album makes more sense. going on the general prices on the great car boot sale site of the internet, usually one (1) version of the single costs north of 50% of the cost of just getting the album. and it is pretty much the same music.
my thanks, always and forever, for reading. or just looking at the pictures.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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