David Bowie: Wild Is The Wind Single (1981)

A Station To Station Windstorm

David Bowie’s “Wild Is The Wind” was released as a 7-inch, and 12" vinyl single, in the UK on November 13, 1981, on RCA Records (catalogue: BOW 10 / PB 9815). Backed with “Golden Years,” this haunting ballad cover (written by Tiomkin/Washington) and funk-disco gem (Bowie), both arranged/produced by Bowie/Harry Maslin, released to promoted ChangesTwoBowie, it peaked at No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart for 10 weeks. Issued in four-prong push-out centre, solid centre, mislabelled solid centre, acetate, and 12-inch variants, it’s a timeless reissue pair.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Wild Is The Wind” (5:58)

Written-By – Tiomkin, Washington. Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin.

B-Side: “Golden Years” (3:56)

Written-By – Bowie. Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin.

Release Details:

Label: RCA Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By – Carlin Music Corp. (A), Bewlay Bros. Music/Chrysalis Music Ltd./Fleur Music (B).

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – RCA Corporation (1976 A, 1975 B).

Marketed By – RCA Ltd.

Lacquer Cut At – The Town House.

Pressed By – EMI Records.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7" Single

Four Prong Push Out Center (BOW 10 / PB 9815)

A: “Wild Is The Wind” (5:58, Tiomkin, Washington) – Written-By – Tiomkin, Washington – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

B: “Golden Years” (3:56, Bowie) – Written-By – Bowie – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

Solid Centre (BOW 10 / PB 9815):

A: “Wild Is The Wind” (5:58, Tiomkin, Washington) – Written-By – Tiomkin, Washington – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

B: “Golden Years” (3:56, Bowie) – Written-By – Bowie – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

Solid Centre Mislabelled (BOW 10 / PB 9815):

A: “Wild Is The Wind” (5:58, Tiomkin, Washington) – Written-By – Tiomkin, Washington – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

B: “Golden Years” (3:56, Bowie) – Written-By – Bowie – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

Vinyl 10" Single

Acetate, 45 RPM, Single Sided.

A: “Wild Is The Wind”

Vinyl, 12", Single 45 RPM, (BOW T 10 / PC 9815):

A: “Wild Is The Wind” (5:58, Tiomkin, Washington) – Written-By – Tiomkin, Washington – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

B: “Golden Years” (3:59, Bowie) – Written-By – Bowie – Arranged By, Producer – David Bowie, Harry Maslin

Notes: A from ChangesTwoBowie (BOWLP 3), B from ChangesOneBowie (RS 1055). Sleeve © 1981.

Country Variations:

The single was released in several countries:

UK (RCA BOW 10 / PB 9815)

Released November 13, 1981. 7-inch (push-out/solid/mislabelled), acetate, 12-inch.

Australia (RCA Victor 1981)

Germany (RCA Victor 1981)

Ireland (RCA 1981)

Spain (RCA Victor 1981)

Canada (RCA 1982)

France (RCA Victor 1982)

Production and Context

Arranged/Produced by David Bowie/Harry Maslin. Recorded 1975–1976 at Cherokee Studios (Station To Station). The lineup: David Bowie (vocals, multi-instruments), with Carlos Alomar, Earl Slick, etc. “Wild Is The Wind” was a Nina Simone cover, “Golden Years” a disco-funk hit. Reissued for ChangesTwoBowie (No. 24 UK, 1981), amid Bowie’s Scary Monsters era.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 24 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 10 weeks.

Entry Date: November 28, 1981.

Peak: No. 24 (December 26, 1981 – January 2, 1982).

Weeks on Chart: 10 (Nov 28, 1981 – Jan 30, 1982).

Chart Run: No. 59 (Nov 28), No. 28 (Dec 5), No. 25 (Dec 12), No. 27 (Dec 19), No. 24 (Dec 26), No. 24 (Jan 2), No. 28 (Jan 9), No. 29 (Jan 16), No. 32 (Jan 23), No. 48 (Jan 30).

Legacy and Collectibility

“Wild Is The Wind” is Bowie’s emotive cover masterpiece, with “Golden Years” a disco staple. Original UK 7-inch vinyls fetch £3–£10 on eBay/Discogs, 12-inch (£5–£15), acetates (£50+). Verify catalogue BOW 10.

Streams on Spotify via compilations preserve the analog wind. This reissue is a must-have for Bowie fans and ‘80s collectors.

Have you snagged this Bowie wind in your vinyl collection? Does Wild Is The Wind blow you away? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube.