David Bowie: "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" Single (1982)

David Bowie’s "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" backed with "Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase)", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by MCA Records (catalog number MCA 770) on April 9, 1982.

The single achieved commercial success upon its release. The 7" single reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart, staying there for six weeks, and climbed to number 13 in Canada. In the United States, it appeared on three different Billboard charts: it peaked at number 67 on the Pop Singles chart for 10 weeks, reached number 9 on the Mainstream Rock chart for 20 weeks, and hit number 14 on the Club Play Singles chart for 16 weeks. In other countries, it topped the charts at number 1 in New Zealand for three weeks, in Sweden for four weeks, and in Norway for seven consecutive weeks before returning to the top for an additional week. It also reached number 1 in Finland.

Dissatisfied with the initial recording, Bowie re-recorded the track for his 15th studio album, Let's Dance (1983), at the Power Station in New York City in December 1982. This version, produced by Chic member Nile Rodgers and featuring lead guitar by blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, is more aggressive. Although the remake gained greater recognition due to the success of its parent album, some critics favor the original recording. The 2018 remaster of the remake was included in the Loving the Alien (1983–1988) box set.