John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)

Infobox Single
Name = John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)


Caption =
Artist = David Bowie
from Album =
A-side =
B-side = John, I'm Only Dancing
Released = December 1979
Format = 7"/12" single
Recorded = Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia; August 1974
Genre = Soul/Disco/Rock
Length = 3:26
Label = RCA
BOW 4
Writer =
Producer = David Bowie, Tony Visconti
Certification =
Chart position =

• #12 (UK)

Last single = "DJ"
1979
This single = "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
1979
Next single = "Alabama Song"
1980
Misc =

"John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)" was a single by David Bowie. It was a re-recording of Bowie's 1972 track "John, I’m Only Dancing", made during the sessions for the album "Young Americans".

Released after five years on the shelf, the re-recording featured a much more funk-influenced take on the track, and has some similarities with the song "Stay" recorded for the "Station to Station" album in 1976. Originally running at 6:57, the track was cut for a 7" single release, but the full version was issued on 12" vinyl – the first Bowie single to have a regular 12" release in the UK. For the B-side, the original version of "John, I'm Only Dancing" was remixed. After the relative disappointment of the singles from "Lodger" on the charts, the single gave Bowie some greater degree of mainstream exposure during a period when his work was increasingly being perceived as esoteric and experimental.

The reworking of "John, I'm Only Dancing" intentionally drops the original verses, only leaving the chorus' lyrics intact, perhaps given the supposed homosexual nature of the original piece. Rather, the new lyrics were simply an embrace of the dance floor and the spirit of disco. The chorus is delivered more slowly and unswung with dance beats instead of the rather retro blues beats of the original, giving time for Bowie to demonstrate vocal virtuosity. The changes were considered somewhat strange given the original's context, especially the transformation into the "overlong" dance track, given the 12" version's extended mix, in which half of the song is a repetitive riff consisting of the lyrics "dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing, woo woo woo-oo".

Track listing

* All tracks by Bowie

7": RCA / BOW 4 (UK)

# "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" – 3:26
# "John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)" – 2:43

7": RCA / 11886 (US)

# "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" – 3:26
# "Golden Years" - 4:03

7": RCA / 11887 (US)

# "John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)" – 2:43
# "Joe The Lion"

12": RCA / BOW 12 4 (UK)

# "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" – 6:57
# "John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)" – 2:43

These two versions of the song were released on two separate singles in the US. One had "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)" with "Golden Years" as the B-side, while the other version had the new remixed version with "Joe the Lion" as the B-side.

Production credits

* Producers:
** Tony Visconti on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** David Bowie, Ken Stott on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Remix)"

* Musicians:
** David Bowie: Vocals, Guitar, Piano
** Carlos Alomar: Guitar on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Willie Weeks: Bass on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Andy Newmark: Drums on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Mike Garson: Piano on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** David Sanborn: Saxophone on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Larry Washington: Conga on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Luther Vandross, Robin Clark, Ava Cherry: Backing vocals on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Again)"
** Mick Ronson: Guitar on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Remix)"
** Trevor Bolder: Bass on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Remix)"
** Mick Woodmansey: Drums on "John, I'm Only Dancing (Remix)"

Other releases

* It was released as a bonus track on the Rykodisc CD release of "Young Americans" in 1991, and again on the "Collectors Edition" of that album in 2006.
* It appeared on several compilations:
** "The Best of 1974/1979" (1998)
** "ChangesTwoBowie" (1981)
* The single version was released on "Rare".

Cover versions

* Creem - "Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie" (listed on the album as "John, I'm Only Dancing")

References

Pegg, Nicholas, "The Complete David Bowie", Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5