“When the Wind Blows” is a song from the soundtrack of the film of the same name, performed by David Bowie.
It marked the second contribution from Bowie to a film based on a Raymond Briggs book – he contributed a filmed introduction to The Snowman in 1982. Bowie’s song was the result of a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay, who would work with Bowie in the future, most notably on The Buddha of Suburbia.
The single peaked at UK No. 44, promoted by a video that featured a montage of clips from the film, with Bowie’s animated face overlaid. Since then, the song has become something of a rarity, appearing rarely on reissues and best-of compilations.
Unlike most instrumental B-sides from the 1980s, the instrumental version of “When the Wind Blows” is not simply a version of the song with vocals dubbed, but a completely different orchestral recording.
Track listing
Lyrics by David Bowie, music by Bowie and Erdal Kizilcay.
7″: Virgin / VS 906 (UK) / VSS 906 (UK)
“When the Wind Blows” – 3:32
“When the Wind Blows” (Instrumental) – 3:52
A “Special Limited Edition” 7″ shaped picture-disc was also released (VSS 906), containing the same tracks as the regular 7″ release. The picture on the front of the picture disc is of Jim and Hilda Bloggs (the main characters from the movie), and the flip-side is a negative of the same image covered by a black and white radioactivity symbol.
12″: Virgin / VS 906-12 (UK)
“When the Wind Blows” (Extended Mix) – 5:46
“When the Wind Blows” (Instrumental) – 3:52
Digital Download – 2007 EMI UK (When The Wind Blows EP by David Bowie)
“When the Wind Blows” (2002 Remaster) – 3:34
“When the Wind Blows” (Extended Mix) – 5:36
“When the Wind Blows” (Instrumental) – 3:46
Other releases
The single release has also appeared on the following:
Never Let Me Down (1995 reissue)
Best of Bowie (2002) (in some regions)
The Platinum Collection (2005)
The Best of David Bowie 1980-1987 (2005/2006)
Producers
David Bowie
David Richards
Musicians
David Bowie – Vocals
Erdal Kizilcay
