John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) Single: 1979

A Disco-Glam Double Dancing Return

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on December 14, 1979, on RCA Records (catalogue: BOW 4 / PB 9482), David Bowie’s “John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (1975)” — the disco re-recording from the Young Americans sessions at Sigma Sound — was backed with the original “John, I'm Only Dancing (1972)” from the Ziggy Stardust era. Produced by Bowie & Tony Visconti (A) and Bowie (B), this glam-disco hybrid peaked at No. 12 on the Official Singles Chart for 8 weeks. Issued in solid centre, push-out centre, promo, and limited 12-inch formats. A bold Bowie past/future collision.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: RCA Records.

Formats: Vinyl 7" 45 RPM (solid/push-out centre, promo), 12" limited.

Full Track Listing

7" Single (BOW 4 / PB 9482)

Side A

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (1975) (3:26) – Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti

Side B

John, I'm Only Dancing (1972) (2:47) – Producer: David Bowie

12" Single (BOW12 4 / PC 9482) – limited

Side A

John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) (1975) (6:59)

Side B

John, I'm Only Dancing (1972) (2:46)

UK Variants (all supplied)

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid Centre – RCA BOW 4 – UK – 1979

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Push Out Centre – RCA BOW 4 – UK – 1979

- 7", Single, Promo – RCA BOW 4 – UK – 1979

- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition – RCA BOW12 4 – UK – 1979

Production and Context

A-side from Young Americans sessions (Sigma Sound, 1975). B-side from *Ziggy Stardust* sessions (1972). Bowie’s disco reinvention meets glam original.

Official Singles Chart Data

Peak position: 12

8 weeks – December 15, 1979 to February 2, 1980

23 → 13 → 13 → 12 → 12 → 18 → 43 → 59

Do you have John, I'm Only Dancing (Again) in your vinyl stack? Still only dancing? 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

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.

A Disco Bowie Melody Maker Return

Published in the UK on December 15, 1979, Melody Maker’s full-page advert promoted David Bowie’s “John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)” — the 1979 disco re-recording of his 1972 glam classic. The ad highlighted the single’s release on RCA Records, showcasing Bowie’s shift to dancefloor energy during the Lodger era. A bold statement of Bowie’s constant reinvention.

Advert Overview

Publication Details

Magazine: Melody Maker (UK).

Date: December 15, 1979.

Format: Full-page single advert.

Do you have this Melody Maker advert in your archive? Still only dancing? 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

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.