Sound and vision - David Bowie

'Sound and vision' was recorded by David Bowie on his 1977 album 'Low'. The track features a lengthy introduction with guitar and synthesizer, followed by withdrawn lyrics, inspired by the cocaine-fueled paranoia the singer had lived in while residing in Los Angeles. In keeping with the minimalist approach of Low, Visconti and Bowie originally recorded the track as an instrumental, bar the backing vocal (performed by Visconti’s wife, Mary Hopkin). Bowie then recorded his vocal after the rest of the band had left the studio, before trimming verses off the lyric.

Released as a first single from the album, the song was used by the BBC on trailers at the time. This provided considerable exposure, which was much needed as Bowie opted to do nothing to promote the single himself, and helped the song to number 3. In the Dutch Top 40, it even made number 2.

My collection: 7" single no. 1412
Found: Grammofoonwinkel, Utrecht, April 3, 1991
Cost: 5,5 guilders
Tracks: 'Sound and vision' / 'A new career in a new town'