David Bowie’s remake of “Sorrow”, recorded in July 1973 at Château d’Hérouville, Hérouville, France, was the only single released in the UK from his Pin Ups covers album, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, and staying in the charts for 15 weeks.It was also Bowie’s first number one hit single in Australia, where it topped the charts for two weeks in February 1974.
The B-side, “Amsterdam”, was a cover of a Jacques Brel song, that had been performed live by Bowie since 1968. The song may have been recorded by Bowie in the summer 1973 sessions for Pin Ups or in late 1971 for the album Ziggy Stardust. Never selected as an album track, it was used as the single B-side as it fitted with “Sorrow”. In France, it was billed as the A-side of the single.
“Sorrow” was featured in the 2008 John Cusack film War, Inc. In 2017 Paul Shaffer and Jenny Lewis released a cover version based mainly on Bowie’s version.
Tracklist
side A. Sorrow 2:53
Written-By – Feldman, Goldstein, Gottehrer
A Cover of a song by The Merseys originally recorded by The McCoys
side B. Amsterdam 3:20
Translated By [Eng. Lyrics] – Mort Schuman
Written-By – Jacques Brel
An English language cover of a song by Jacques Brel.
The Spanish release of the single had “Lady Grinning Soul” as the B-side.
Description
Label: RCA Victor – RCA 2424
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single ,Stereo
Country: Netherlands
Released: 1973
Recorded at:
Recorded date:
Media Condition: Very Good (VG)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good (VG)
ring wear: Yes
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: No
creases or folds: Yes (folds)
stamps or writing: No
Producers:
Ken Scott and David Bowie
Musicians:
David Bowie: vocals, guitar, saxophone on “Sorrow”
Mick Ronson: guitar and string arrangement on “Sorrow”
Trevor Bolder: bass on “Sorrow”
Mike Garson: piano on “Sorrow”
Aynsley Dunbar: drums on “Sorrow”
The sleeve was designed by the dutchman Arno van Orsouw