Speed of Life
Encyclopedia
"Speed of Life" is the first instrumental by David Bowie
. It is the opening track for his album Low from 1977.
"Speed of Life" introduces the Low album, and, coupled with the similarly upbeat instrumental "A New Career in a New Town
", provides a front bookend for the A-side of the album. The track makes several immediate implications about the content of the album, with its heavy use of synthesizers as both effects and instruments, with the presence of Dennis Davis
' drums and the overlaid harmonizer creating a distinctly different mix than any previous Bowie album.
Lyrics were originally planned for this song, however, Bowie abandoned the idea after several attempts, deciding that the piece stood better on its own.
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. It is the opening track for his album Low from 1977.
"Speed of Life" introduces the Low album, and, coupled with the similarly upbeat instrumental "A New Career in a New Town
A New Career in a New Town
"A New Career in a New Town" is an instrumental piece by David Bowie for his 1977 album Low.The piece, which has no lyrics, is still autobiographical, like many of Bowie's other pieces on this album. The title, "A New Career in a New Town," reflects Bowie's move to the USA from Europe...
", provides a front bookend for the A-side of the album. The track makes several immediate implications about the content of the album, with its heavy use of synthesizers as both effects and instruments, with the presence of Dennis Davis
Dennis Davis
Dennis Davis is an American drummer and session musician best known for his work with David Bowie.He was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City and studied with the late drummers Max Roach and Elvin Jones. He met guitarist Carlos Alomar when they were both playing with Roy Ayers...
' drums and the overlaid harmonizer creating a distinctly different mix than any previous Bowie album.
Lyrics were originally planned for this song, however, Bowie abandoned the idea after several attempts, deciding that the piece stood better on its own.
Live versions
- A live version, recorded on the Heroes tour at the Philadelphia Spectrum on 28-29 April 1978, was released on the live album Stage.
Other releases
- It was released as the B-side of the single "Be My WifeBe My Wife"Be My Wife" is a song and single by David Bowie.Arguably the most conventional track on Low, "Be My Wife" toned down the electronic feel of the rest of the album...
" in June 1977. - It also appeared in the Sound and Vision box set.
- It was released as a picture disc in the RCARCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
Life Time picture disc set.
Sources
- Greatorex, Johnathan. "Just a Mortal With Potential." Teenage Wildlife. Nov. 1996. 06 Mar. 2006 <http://www.teenagewildlife.com/Interact/fc/misc/JG/index.html>.
- Griffin, R. "Low." Bowie Golden Years. Jan. 2005. 06 Mar. 2006 <http://www.bowiegoldenyears.com/low.html>.