Absolute Beginners (David Bowie song)

"Absolute Beginners" is a 1986 song by David Bowie and is the theme song to the 1986 movie Absolute Beginners. It went to number 1 in Finland and Ireland. It went to the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It charted poorly in the United States.

"Absolute Beginners"
Single by David Bowie
from Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"
B-side"Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)"
Released3 March 1986
Recorded
Length8:03 (full-length album version)
5:36 (single version)
LabelVirgin
VS838
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)
David Bowie singles chronology
""Dancing in the Street"
(1985)
Absolute Beginners ""Underground"
(1986)
"Absolute Beginners" at YouTube

Track listing

All tracks are written by David Bowie, except where noted.

3" CD: Virgin CDT 20 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 8:03
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:40

CD: Virgin CDF 20 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 8:03
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:40

7": Virgin VS 838 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:36
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42

12": Virgin VSG 838–12 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42
  • issued in a gatefold sleeve

12": EMI America SPRO 9623 (US)

  1. "Absolute Beginners (Edited Version)" – 4:46
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00
  • includes exclusive "edited version"

Download: EMI iVS 838 (UK)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:36
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:00
  3. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:42

Download: Amazon.com (US)

  1. "Absolute Beginners" – 5:37
  2. "Absolute Beginners (Full Length Version)" – 8:03
  3. "Absolute Beginners (Dub Mix)" – 5:39
  4. "That's Motivation" – 4:14
  5. "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)" (Comp.: Domenico Modugno) – 3:13
  • Original release date (of E.P. download with added tracks 4 and 5): 28 May 2007

References

  1. Thompson, Dave (2006). Hallo Spaceboy: The Rebirth of David Bowie. ECW Press. p. 321. ISBN 978-1-55022-733-8.
  2. Shepherd, Jack (21 January 2016). "David Bowie impersonates Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed in newly unearthed recording". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/david-bowie-impersonates-bruce-springsteen-neil-young-iggy-pop-and-lou-reed-in-newly-unearthed-a6825261.html. Retrieved 8 June 2016.