Space Oddity Album Reissue: 1972

A Major Tom Glam-Folk Resurrection

Released as a vinyl LP reissue in the US on November 10, 1972, on RCA Victor (catalogue: LSP-4813), David Bowie’s Space Oddity — originally issued in the UK as David Bowie (1969) — was the first US release under the Space Oddity title. Produced by Gus Dudgeon (A1) and Tony Visconti (A2–B5) at Trident Studios, this 9-track folk-psych gem featured “Space Oddity,” “Letter To Hermione,” and “Cygnet Committee.” Issued in Hollywood, Indianapolis, Rockaway, and Dynaflex pressings, with 8-track, cassette, and reel-to-reel variants. Included poster in many copies.

The US pressings were imported into the UK, as stated in the advert of November 11, 1972

Make room for 2 Bowie albums

NOW AVAILABLE ON RCA RECORDS AND TAPES

DAVID

SPACE ODDITY

LSP 4813 PK 2101 cartridge P8S 2101 cassette

THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD

LSP 4816 PK 2103 cartridge P8S 2103 cassette

Specially imported from the U.S.A. Released November 10th. Each album includes a poster of David Bowie.

Also available

Ziggy Stardust SF 8287 P8S 1932 cassette PK 1932 cartridge

Hunky Dory SF 8244 P8S 1850 cassette PK 1850 cartridge.

RCA Records and Tapes

Album Overview

Release Details

Label: RCA Victor.

Formats: Vinyl LP (various pressings), 8-track cartridge, cassette, reel-to-reel.

Full Track Listing

Side A

1. Space Oddity (5:15) – Arranged By: David Bowie, Paul Buckmaster – Producer: Gus Dudgeon

2. Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed (6:09)

3. Letter To Hermione (2:28)

4. Cygnet Committee (9:33)

Side B

1. Janine (3:18)

2. An Occasional Dream (2:51)

3. The Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud (4:45)

4. God Knows I'm Good (3:13)

5. Memory Of A Free Festival (7:05)

1972 Variants (all supplied)

- LP, Album, Reissue, Hollywood Press – RCA Victor LSP-4813 – US – 1972

- LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Indianapolis Pressing – RCA Victor LSP-4813 – US – 1972

- LP, Album, Reissue, Rockaway Press – RCA Victor LSP-4813 – US – 1972

- LP, Album, Reissue, Dynaflex – RCA Victor LSP-4813 – US – 1972

- 8-Track Cartridge, Album, Reissue – RCA Victor P8S-2101 – US – 1972

- Cassette, Album, Reissue – RCA Victor PK-2101 – US – 1972

- Reel-To-Reel, 7 ½ ips – RCA Victor EPPA 4813-C – US – 1972

Production and Context

Produced by Gus Dudgeon (Space Oddity) and Tony Visconti (remainder). Recorded 1969 at Trident Studios. First US release under *Space Oddity* title with poster in many copies.

Album Chart Performance

- UK (1972–1974 runs):

- November 25, 1972 to January 6, 1973 (7 weeks): 31 → 24 → 25 → 40 → 36 → 36 → 47

- January 20, 1973 to February 24, 1973 (6 weeks): 43 → 29 → 30 → 20 → 42 → 37

- March 10, 1973 (1 week): 40

- March 31, 1973 to April 14, 1973 (2 weeks): 47 → 36

- May 12, 1973 (1 week): 41

Do you have Space Oddity 1972 US reissue in your vinyl stack? Ground control to Major Tom? 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.