David Bowie Underground (Edited version) - Underground (Intrumental) (1986 Netherlands) estimated value € 5,00
Label: EMI 1A 006-20 1281 7
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios (London) and Atlantic Studios (New York City)
Recorded date: August – September 1985
Released: June 1986
Country: Netherlands
"Underground" is a song written and recorded by David Bowie for the soundtrack of the film Labyrinth. It reached No. 21 in the UK Singles Chart. The track was something of an experiment for Bowie, dabbling in gospel music to a small extent, helped by a large chorus of backing vocalists and blues guitarist Albert Collins, but retaining use of synthesizers.
Tracklist
Side A – Underground (Edited version) – 4:25
Side B – Underground (Instrumental) – 5:40
This is the only instrumental version featuring the backing singers. All other instrumental versions are slightly longer and backing-tracks only, except on the back of the promo 12-inch single.
Description
Media & Sleeve Condition
Media: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Good (G)
Ring wear: Yes
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: No
Creases or folds: Yes
Stamps or writing: No
Producers
David Bowie
Arif Mardin
Musicians
David Bowie: Vocals
Robbie Buchanan: Keyboards, synthesizers, programming
Andy Thomas: Additional programming
Richard Tee: Acoustic piano, Hammond organ
Albert Collins: Lead guitar
Nicky Moroch: Rhythm guitar
Steve Ferrone: Drum effects
Bob Gay: Saxophone
Cissy Houston, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Fonzi Thornton, Marcus Miller, Marc Stephens, Daphne Vega, Garcia Alston, Mary David Canty, Beverly Ferguson, A. Marie Foster, James Glenn, Eunice Peterson, Rennele Stafford: Backing vocals
Video
Steve Barron directed the video clip for promoting the song, which featured rapid-fire images of Bowie’s most notable personas, including Ziggy Stardust, The Thin White Duke, Thomas Jerome Newton, Jareth the Goblin King and Baal, before Bowie dances with the puppet characters from Labyrinth and transforms into an animated figure similar to the effects seen in Barron's earlier video for A-ha’s “Take On Me”.
Bowie later expressed dissatisfaction with the video, saying in 1987 that he felt he had not been involved enough in its creation and that the result was not his kind of video. However, Jim Henson and his son Brian were impressed with Barron’s style, leading to Barron directing the pilot episode of The Storyteller.
Key Details
Film Connection: Main theme for Labyrinth (1986), starring Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King.
Production: Co-produced by David Bowie and Arif Mardin.
Musical Style: A fusion of mid-80s pop-rock and gospel, featuring a large choir and a blues guitar solo by Albert Collins.
Release: Issued as the lead single from the Labyrinth soundtrack in June 1986.
Music Video: Directed by Steve Barron, mixing live-action, puppetry and animation with nods to Bowie’s past personas.