David Bowie John, I'm only dancing - Joe The Lion(1972 ,Spain) estimated value € 25,00
Label: RCA Victor – PB-1887
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Recorded at: Trident Studios, London (original version)
Recorded date: Originally recorded in February 1972
Released: 1980
Country: Spain
"John, I'm Only Dancing" is a single by English rock musician David Bowie, released in two versions – entirely different recordings, but carrying the same catalogue number – in September 1972 and April 1973. Bowie later re-worked the song into the disco-influenced "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)," recorded in 1974 but unreleased until 1979.
Tracklist
Side A – John I'm Only Dancing (1972) = John Estoy Sólo Bailando – 2:47
Producer – David Bowie, Tony Visconti
Written-By – D. Bowie
Side B – Joe The Lion = Joe El León – 3:05
Written-By – D. Bowie
Description
Media & Sleeve Condition
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+/NM)
Ring wear: No
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: Yes
Creases or folds: No
Stamps or writing: No
Personnel side B – John I'm Only Dancing (New wave Version 1972)
David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone (sax version), producer
Mick Ronson – lead guitar
Lou Reed – rhythm guitar
Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
Mick Woodmansey – drums
Ken Fordham – saxophone (sax version)
Ken Scott – producer
Personnel side A – John I'm Only Dancing (disco Version 1979)
Producers: Tony Visconti
Musicians:
David Bowie – lead and backing vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar, piano
Carlos Alomar – lead guitar
Willie Weeks – bass
Andy Newmark – drums
Mike Garson – piano
David Sanborn – saxophone
Larry Washington – conga
Luther Vandross, Robin Clark, Ava Cherry – backing vocals
Live versions
- A previously unreleased live version from Boston Music Hall, recorded on 1 October 1972, was released in 1989 on the original Sound + Vision box set, but was not included in subsequent versions of this compilation. The same track, however, was issued on the bonus disc of the Aladdin Sane – 30th Anniversary Edition in 2003.
- A live version recorded at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on 20 October 1972 has been released on Santa Monica '72 and Live Santa Monica '72.
Other releases
- The Portugal release of the single "Starman" from September 1972 had "John, I'm Only Dancing" as the B-side.
- In November 1972 it was released as the B-side of the single "The Jean Genie" in Japan.
- It appeared on the B-side of the "Cracked Actor" single in Eastern Europe in June 1973.
- In 1979, a remix of the 1972 version of the song was released on various UK and US singles.
The song has appeared in the following compilations:
Changesonebowie (1976) – sax version on first 1000 copies
The Best of Bowie (1980) – sax version
Sound + Vision (1989) – sax version
Changesbowie (1990) – original version
The Singles Collection (1993) – original version
The Best of David Bowie 1969/1974 (1997) – sax version
Best of Bowie (2002) – original version
- Both versions included on Re:Call 1 (Five Years 1969–1973) in 2015.
- Released as picture disc in RCA Life Time set.
John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)
"John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" is a re-recording of "John, I'm Only Dancing", made in 1974 during the sessions in Philadelphia for the album Young Americans. It was pencilled in as the opening track of the new album, before further sessions in New York generated more tracks which pushed it out of the running order.
Finally released as a standalone single in December 1979, the re-recording featured a much more funk-influenced take on the track, and has some similarities with the song "Stay" recorded for the Station to Station album in 1976.
The reworking drops the original verses, only leaving the chorus' lyrics intact. The new lyrics embraced the dance floor and the spirit of disco. The 12" version became Bowie's first regular UK 12" single release.