David Bowie: Golden Years Single (1975)

Station To Soul Train

David Bowie’s “Golden Years” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 21, 1975, on RCA Victor (catalogue: RCA 2640 / PB 10441). Backed with “Can You Hear Me,” this funky soul-disco gem and tender B-side (both written/produced by Bowie with Harry Maslin, strings by Tony Visconti), were issued in six commercial label variants and demo. It peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart for 10 weeks. Issued in paper labels, push-out/solid centre, company sleeve, promo with large A “DEMONSTRATION SAMPLE NOT FOR SALE,” it’s a golden ‘75 *Station to Station* reissue pair.

Single Overview

A-Side: “Golden Years” (3:27)

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

B-Side: “Can You Hear Me” (5:04)

Written-By – Bowie. Arranged By – David Bowie. Arranged By [Strings] – Tony Visconti. Mixed By – David Bowie, Harry Maslin.

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

Manufactured By – RCA Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – RCA Records.

Published By – Bewlay Bros. Music / EMI / Chrysalis Music / Mainman (A), Mainman / Chrysalis (B).

Pressed By – RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK.

Runouts: RCA 2640-A-1E A1W ‘W’ / RCA 2640-B-1E A3S ‘W’e.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Push Out Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Commercial.

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Push Out Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Different publisher list and label layout.

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Push Out Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Slight layout/publisher differences; only David Bowie credited as producer on A.

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Solid Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Push Out Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Credits only Bewlay Bros. as publisher.

Vinyl, 7" Single

Paper Labels, Push Out Center, Company Sleeve (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Mispress – B-side no print on label.

Vinyl, 7" Promo

Paper Labels, Push Out Center (RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Large A “Demonstration Sample Not For Sale” on A, “Demonstration Sample Not For Sale” on B.

Country Variations:

The single was released in several countries:

UK (RCA Victor RCA 2640 / PB 10441)

Released November 21, 1975. 7-inch (six commercial, one promo).

Australia (RCA Victor 1975)

Belgium (RCA Victor 1975)

Canada (RCA Victor 1975)

El Salvador (RCA Victor 1975)

France (RCA Victor 1975)

Germany (RCA Victor 1975)

Portugal (RCA Victor 1975)

South Africa (RCA Victor 1975)

USA (RCA Victor 1975)

Italy (RCA Victor 1976)

Japan (RCA 1976)

New Zealand (RCA Victor)

Production and Context

Produced by Bowie & Harry Maslin (A), Bowie (B). Partially written May 1975 before The Man Who Fell to Earth filming. Offered to Elvis Presley (declined). First Station to Station track. Bowie mimed it on Soul Train Nov 4, 1975 (second white artist after Elton). Funk-soul transition era.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 8 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 10 weeks.

Entry Date: November 29, 1975.

Peak: No. 8 (December 20, 1975 & January 10, 1976).

Weeks on Chart: 10 (Nov 29, 1975 – Jan 31, 1976).

Chart Run: No. 39 (Nov 29), No. 24 (Dec 6), No. 15 (Dec 13), No. 8 (Dec 20), No. 9 (Dec 27), No. 9 (Jan 3), No. 8 (Jan 10), No. 12 (Jan 17), No. 19 (Jan 24), No. 40 (Jan 31).

Legacy and Collectibility

“Golden Years” is plastic soul perfection, “Can You Hear Me” a haunting deep cut. Original UK push-out vinyls fetch £5–£12 on eBay/Discogs, solid centre (£8–£15), mispress (£20–£40), demos (£30–£60). Verify runouts ‘W’, publisher variations, and large A.

Streams on Spotify via Station to Station. This soulful bridge is a must-have for Bowie ‘75 fans and funk collectors.

Have you whistled along to these Golden Years? Does “Can You Hear Me” still echo? 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.

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