Sweet Thing
Encyclopedia
"Sweet Thing" is a song written by David Bowie
for the album Diamond Dogs
in 1974
. The song is split in two with "Candidate" in the middle.
In the opening line, Sweet Thing contains the lowest note Bowie ever recorded in a studio album (C2).
" and what would become "Sweet Thing (Reprise)" on Diamond Dogs
, this instrumental piece was generally thought to have been recorded during the Aladdin Sane
sessions at Trident Studios
early in 1973. However a recent estimate places it alongside recordings for Pinups later that year, as a preview of Bowie's next original work, leading author Nicholas Pegg
to suggest that it "perhaps ought to be regarded more as a Diamond Dogs demo than an Aladdin Sane out-take". A 1973 article about Bowie recording Pinups in France
accurately describes the song, which seems to confirm Pegg's theory:
In one live version in the first line, Bowie sings the low C2 a little more clearly. Some skeptics have accused Bowie of "studio tinkering" to enhance his range but this is proof that he is capable of singing a C2. (-note: the live version referenced is a step higher than the album version, therefore not the same low note...and also why he changes the high notes so much!).
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...
for the album Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs is a concept album by David Bowie, originally released by RCA Records in 1974. Thematically it was a marriage of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell and Bowie's own glam-tinged vision of a post-apocalyptic world...
in 1974
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
. The song is split in two with "Candidate" in the middle.
In the opening line, Sweet Thing contains the lowest note Bowie ever recorded in a studio album (C2).
"Tragic Moments/Zion/Aladdin Vein"
A track now referred to as "Zion" has also appeared on bootlegs under the titles "Aladdin Vein", "Love Aladdin Vein", "A Lad in Vein", and "A Lad in Vain". Incorporating parts reminiscent of "Aladdin SaneAladdin Sane (song)
"Aladdin Sane " is a song by David Bowie, the title track from his 1973 album Aladdin Sane. Described by biographer David Buckley as the album's "pivotal" song, it saw Bowie moving into more experimental musical styles following the success of his breakthrough glam rock release The Rise and Fall of...
" and what would become "Sweet Thing (Reprise)" on Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs
Diamond Dogs is a concept album by David Bowie, originally released by RCA Records in 1974. Thematically it was a marriage of the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell and Bowie's own glam-tinged vision of a post-apocalyptic world...
, this instrumental piece was generally thought to have been recorded during the Aladdin Sane
Aladdin Sane
Aladdin Sane is the sixth album by David Bowie, released by RCA Records in 1973 . The follow-up to his breakthrough The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, it was the first album Bowie wrote and released as a bona fide rock star...
sessions at Trident Studios
Trident Studios
Trident Studios was a British recording facility, originally located at 17 St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield a drummer of former 1960's group The Hunters and his Brother Barry....
early in 1973. However a recent estimate places it alongside recordings for Pinups later that year, as a preview of Bowie's next original work, leading author Nicholas Pegg
Nicholas Pegg
Nicholas Pegg is a British actor, director and writer.A graduate of the University of Exeter, Pegg trained at the Guildford School of Acting. His acting work in the theatre includes productions for Nottingham Playhouse, Scottish Opera, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth...
to suggest that it "perhaps ought to be regarded more as a Diamond Dogs demo than an Aladdin Sane out-take". A 1973 article about Bowie recording Pinups in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
accurately describes the song, which seems to confirm Pegg's theory:
Live versions
- A live version (which also included "Candidate" and "Sweet Thing (Reprise)" from the 1974 tour was released on David LiveDavid LiveDavid Live is David Bowie’s first official live album, originally released by RCA Records in 1974. Recorded on the initial leg of Bowie’s US tour supporting Diamond Dogs in July of that year , it has been cited as one of the best live...
. Another live recording from the 1974 tour was released on the semi-legal album A Portrait in Flesh.
In one live version in the first line, Bowie sings the low C2 a little more clearly. Some skeptics have accused Bowie of "studio tinkering" to enhance his range but this is proof that he is capable of singing a C2. (-note: the live version referenced is a step higher than the album version, therefore not the same low note...and also why he changes the high notes so much!).
Cover versions
- MorelRichard MorelRichard Morel is an American singer-songwriter, DJ, remixer and record producer from the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. He has worked extensively with Washington D.C.-based duo Deep Dish, co-writing, co-producing, performing and singing on many of their tracks, most notably on their albums Junk...
- on the album The Death of the Paperboy (2008), on Disc-0 of the two-disc set. This is a cover of the complete trilogy of Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (reprise), as it appears on Diamond Dogs and David Live. - Joan as Police Woman - on the album Real Life (Joan As Police Woman album)Real Life (Joan As Police Woman album)Real Life is the debut album by Joan as Police Woman, released on Reveal Records in the UK on June 12 2006, and a year later in the United States....
(2006), on additional tracks of the 2-CD edition. This cover includes Sweet Thing and the Sweet Thing reprise. - Awaken (band)Awaken (band)Awaken is an underground rock band / indie music project based in Belgium. They released two official albums and numerous demo tapes and web-only singles since their early days in 1988....
- on the album Party in Lyceum's ToiletsParty In Lyceum's ToiletsParty In Lyceum's Toilets is the second album by the music project Awaken, released in 2001. This double CD features original songs and covers .-History:...
(2001). This is a cover of only the Sweet Thing song proper. - Paper Jones - on the album Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered (2008). This is a cover of only the Sweet Thing song proper.