David Bowie: "Blue Jean" Single (1984)

David Bowie's "Blue Jean" was released as a single, backed with "Dancing With The Big Boys", in the UK through EMI America on September 14, 1984.

(some sources note September 10, 1984, for certain markets)

7-inch UK release, EMI America, 1984.

Producers:

David Bowie, Derek Bramble, Hugh Padgham

Recording Location: Le Studio, Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada, May 1984

Context:

The lead single from Bowie’s sixteenth studio album, Tonight (released September 24, 1984), following the massive success of Let’s Dance (1983) and the Serious Moonlight Tour.

A-Side:

"Blue Jean" Written entirely by David Bowie, one of only two tracks on Tonight solely credited to him.

Inspired loosely by Eddie Cochran’s rockabilly style, it’s a straightforward rock ‘n’ roll track with a pop sensibility.

Bowie described it in a 1987 interview as “a piece of sexist rock ‘n’ roll... about picking up birds. It’s not very cerebral.”

B-Side:

"Dancing With The Big Boys" Written by David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Carlos Alomar, reflecting their collaborative chemistry from Pop’s 1977 albums The Idiot and Lust for Life, which Bowie co-wrote and produced.

Recorded in eight hours, with Bowie and Pop “egging each other on,” according to producer Hugh Padgham.

Produced by Arthur Baker for remixes, adding a club-friendly edge.

7-inch UK release, EMI America, 1984.

Chart Performance:

Peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Bowie’s fifth and final US Top 10 hit without features.

Critical Response:

Mixed reviews. Some praised its catchy energy, with rock commentator Chris O’Leary calling it a “pastiche” but enjoyable. Others, like BBC’s Chris Jones in 2002, criticized it as “formulaic” and insubstantial.

Music Video:

Promoted with a 21-minute short film, Jazzin’ for Blue Jean, directed by Julien Temple. Bowie played dual roles: Vic, a man pursuing a girl, and Screamin’ Lord Byron, a flamboyant rock star. The performance segment was used as the main music video.

The film won the 1985 Grammy Award for Best Video, Short Form (later Best Music Video), Bowie’s only competitive Grammy during his lifetime until Blackstar (2016).

Two shorter videos exist:

a 3-minute edit of the Jazzin’ for Blue Jean performance and an alternate MTV UK version unrelated to the film, both included on the Best of Bowie DVD (2002).

Release Formats

The single was released in multiple formats, reflecting the 1980s trend of catering to collectors and DJs. Below are the known formats, based on available information:

7” Vinyl Single:

(EMI America EA 181, UK; B-8231, US; and others globally):

Tracks:

A: “Blue Jean” (3:08)

B: “Dancing With The Big Boys” (3:32)

Details: Standard release in the UK, US, Argentina (EMI 1872), Italy (EMI America 06 2003227), and other markets.

Some versions, like the US pressing (B-8231), were on blue translucent vinyl, a collectible variant.

UK version had black & silver paper labels or silver injection-molded centers.

12 -inch UK release, EMI America, 1984.

12” Vinyl Maxi-Single:

(EMI America 12EA 181, UK; V 75073, US; 1C K 062-20 0333 6, Europe):

Tracks:

A: “Blue Jean (Extended Dance Mix)” (5:15) – Remixed by John “Jellybean” Benitez at Sigma Sound, NYC.

B1: “Dancing With The Big Boys (Extended Dance Mix)” (7:28) – Remixed by Arthur Baker.

B2: “Dancing With The Big Boys (Extended Dub Mix)” (7:15) – Remixed by Arthur Baker.

UK and European pressings (e.g., 1C K 062-20 0333 6) manufactured by EMI, printed in Germany or Holland.

US promo 12” (EMI SPRO 9996/9997) included a “7” Dance Edit” and “Edited Dance Mix” of “Blue Jean,” with the Extended Dub Mix mislabeled as Extended Dance Mix.

Cassette Single:

(EMI America, 4V-7838-1/2 US, EMI America – TC-ED-83 Australia))

Tracks:

A1: “Blue Jean” (3:09)

A2: “Dancing With The Big Boys” (3:32)

B1: “Blue Jean” (3:09)

B2: “Dancing With The Big Boys” (3:32)

Cassette Single:

(EMI America, 1989 reissue) (Blue Cassette)

Tracks:

A: “Blue Jean”

B: “Dancing With The Big Boys”

Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. and Ramola Music Inc.

Other Formats:

Blue Jean EP (2007): Reissued the Extended Dance Mix and Dub Mix of “Blue Jean” digitally.

Loving the Alien Box Set (2018): Included a remastered “Blue Jean” and remixes from the Dance compilation.

Compilation Appearances:

“Blue Jean” appeared on Changesbowie (1990), The Singles Collection (1993), Best of Bowie (2002), The Platinum Collection (2005),

The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987 (2007), Nothing Has Changed (2014), and Bowie Legacy (2016).

“Blue Jean” was chosen as the lead single to maintain the pop-rock momentum, but the album received mixed reviews for lacking the innovation of Bowie’s earlier work.

Commercial Success:

“Blue Jean” was a solid hit, though it didn’t match the chart dominance of Let’s Dance singles. Its No. 8 US peak was notable, but it marked the tail end of Bowie’s mainstream pop phase.

The Grammy-winning Jazzin’ for Blue Jean video boosted its visibility, blending Bowie’s theatricality with 1980s MTV aesthetics.

Live Performances:

“Blue Jean” was performed during the 1987 Glass Spider Tour (European leg), but rarely afterward.