David Bowie: "Fame" Single (1975)

David Bowie’s "Fame" backed with "Right", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Records (catalog number RCA 2579) on July 18, 1975, as the second single from his 1975 album Young Americans, by RCA Records. Co-written by Bowie, guitarist Carlos Alomar, and John Lennon, it was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975. The song is a biting commentary on the pitfalls of stardom, reflecting Bowie’s and Lennon’s frustrations with the music industry, particularly Bowie’s issues with his former manager, Tony Defries, and MainMan Management. It became Bowie’s first number-one single in the United States and a landmark in his career, marking his shift to a "plastic soul" sound.

Record label for David Bowie's "Fame," released by RCA Victor in the UK, catalogue number RCA 2579. The track, from the "Young Americans" album, was produced and mixed by David Bowie and Harry Maslin.

Creation and Recording

Background: By late 1974, most of the Young Americans sessions were complete, but Bowie, staying in New York, met John Lennon during his "Lost Weekend" period (an 18-month separation from Yoko Ono). The two bonded over discussions about fame, management troubles, and the music industry’s exploitative nature.

Song Development: The song originated from a guitar riff by Carlos Alomar, inspired by The Flares’ "Foot Stompin’," which Bowie had performed on tour. Bowie deemed it too strong for a cover and repurposed it for an original track. During a jam session, Lennon sang the word "aim" to Alomar’s riff, which Bowie adapted to "Fame." The lyrics were written quickly, with Bowie crafting them in the control room while Lennon and Alomar worked in the studio.

Recording Process: Recorded in one evening, the session was fast-paced. Lennon contributed acoustic guitar and backing vocals (notably the repeated "Fame, Fame, Fame" toward the end). A distinctive "suction" sound was created by reversing Lennon’s acoustic guitar track, and a heavy reverb was added to Alomar’s riff to give it a spacious, funky feel.

Musicians:

David Bowie: Vocals

John Lennon: Backing vocals, acoustic guitar

Carlos Alomar: Guitar

Dennis Davis: Drums

Emir Ksasan: Bass

Additional contributors: Willie Weeks (bass), Mike Garson (piano), and others

Producers: David Bowie, Harry Maslin

Innovations: The track’s manipulated vocals (Lennon’s sped-up and slowed-down "Fame") foreshadowed later use of vocoders and autotune in the 1980s and beyond. The blend of hard rock and funk guitar riffs also anticipated their use in hip-hop and electronica.

Record label for David Bowie's "Right," released by RCA Victor in the UK, catalogue number RCA 2579. The track, from the "Young Americans" album, was produced and mixed by David Bowie and Harry Maslin.

Chart Performance

United States: "Fame" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 20, 1975, for two non-consecutive weeks (briefly dropping to number two behind John Denver’s "I’m Sorry"). It ranked number 8 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 for 1975 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Canada: It also hit number one on the Canadian Singles Chart.

United Kingdom: The single was less successful, peaking at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, reflecting Bowie’s stronger US breakthrough at this time.

Other Regions: It performed modestly in Europe but was a major hit in North America. A 40th-anniversary release in 2015 peaked at number 141 in France.

Cultural and Musical Impact

Themes and Lyrics: "Fame" is a cynical take on stardom, with lyrics like “Fame, what you need you have to borrow” and “Fame, it’s not your brain, it’s just the flame” addressing the emptiness and exploitation of celebrity life. Bowie later reflected, “Fame itself doesn’t afford you anything more than a good seat in a restaurant,” emphasizing its hollow rewards.

German single release "Fame" and "Right," under the RCA Victor label, catalogue number PB-10 320.

Genre and Style: The song’s funk rock and "plastic soul" sound marked a departure from Bowie’s glam rock roots (e.g., Ziggy Stardust), alienating some UK fans but winning over US audiences. Its rhythm, driven by Alomar’s riff and Dennis Davis’s drumming, influenced later funk and hip-hop, notably sampled by James Brown in "Hot (I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)."

Recognition: "Fame" is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It was ranked number 21 by NME in their list of Bowie’s 41 greatest songs (2018) and number 25 by Ultimate Classic Rock among his singles.

Media Appearances: Bowie performed "Fame" on Soul Train in 1975, one of the first white artists to do so, and on The Cher Show (November 7, 1975), marking his US TV debut. An animated music video, directed by Richard Jefferies and Mark Kirkland, won a Student Academy Award in 1975.

Single Formats and B-Side

A-Side: "Fame" (3:30, single edit; 4:22, album version)

B-Side: "Right" (a Young Americans track written by Bowie)

Formats (1975): Released as a 7" vinyl single (RCA BOW 507). Some pressings, particularly in the US, used vinyl that appeared translucent with a purple glow under light, though RCA typically used vinyl, not styrene.

"Fame 90" cover, released under EMI USA in the UK, featuring an exclusive changes pack with three limited edition prints.

"Fame ’90" Remix

Release: In 1990, Bowie remixed "Fame" as "Fame ’90" for his Sound+Vision Tour and the Changesbowie compilation, also appearing on the Pretty Woman soundtrack. Bowie chose "Fame" over "Let’s Dance" (too recent) for its enduring potency.

Formats: Released as a 7" single, 12" single, cassette single, CD singles, and two limited editions: a picture disc with a "Bonus Beat mix" and a 7" envelope pack with three prints of Bowie’s career phases and a Queen Latifah remix.

Video: Directed by Gus Van Sant, the video featured clips from Bowie’s past videos and a dance with Louise Lecavalier of La La La Human Steps.

Reception: The remix was less impactful, with critics like Ultimate Classic Rock calling it “now happily forgotten” and ranking it 104 out of 119 Bowie singles. The Queen Latifah remix was a highlight for some fans.

Covers and Samples

Covers: Artists covering "Fame" include Duran Duran (1981), Eurythmics (2005 Touch remaster), George Michael (1991 tour), and Nina Hagen (using the “Is it any wonder” line in "Heiss").

New Musical Express ad from November 15, 1975, celebrating Bowie's chart successes with "Fame" and "Space Oddity" and announcing the rush release of his new single "Golden Years."

Samples: The song’s beat was sampled in James Brown’s "Hot (I Need to Be Loved, Loved, Loved)" (1975), Lady Gaga’s early track "Fancy Pants," and over 30 other songs.

"Fame" hit number one in the US (Billboard Hot 100, September 20, 1975) but only reached number 17 in the UK.

Conclusion "Fame" was a groundbreaking single for David Bowie, marking his first US number-one hit and reflecting his shift to funk and soul. Its creation with John Lennon and Carlos Alomar, its incisive lyrics, and its innovative production made it a classic, included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs.