David Bowie: "Space Oddity" Single (1975)

David Bowie’s "Space Oddity" backed with "Changes" and "Velvet Goldmine", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by RCA Victor (catalog number RCA 2593) on September 26, 1975.

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MAXIMILLION, SERIES 2 TRACKS FOR THE PRICE OF 3

DAVID BOWIE SPACE ODDITY CHANGES VELVET GOLDMINE

BOWIE 3 tracks for the price of 2: Space Oddity, Changes, Velvet Goldmine

26/9/77 59 p R.R.P.

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RCA Records and Tapes The Bowie Maxi. RCA-2593

This release is notable as a maxi-single, featuring three tracks: “Space Oddity” on the A-side and “Changes” and “Velvet Goldmine” on the B-side. It was issued to capitalize on David Bowie’s growing fame during his transition from glam rock to the soul-infused Young Americans era, while also celebrating the re-release of The Man Who Sold the World (1970) and Hunky Dory (1971) in the UK. The single was part of RCA’s strategy to re-promote Bowie’s earlier work, particularly as “Space Oddity” had been re-released multiple times since its 1969 debut. The inclusion of “Velvet Goldmine,” a previously unreleased track from the Ziggy Stardust sessions, made this single particularly significant for fans and collectors.

Historical Context

By 1975, David Bowie was at a creative crossroads. Having risen to stardom with The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) and subsequent glam rock albums like Aladdin Sane (1973) and Diamond Dogs (1974), he shifted toward soul and funk with Young Americans (1975), which yielded the hit “Fame.”

The re-release of earlier albums like The Man Who Sold the World and Hunky Dory in 1975 aimed to rekindle interest in Bowie’s pre-Ziggy catalog, particularly as his fanbase expanded. “Space Oddity,” originally a 1969 single tied to the moon landing, had become a signature song, while “Changes” from Hunky Dory was gaining retrospective acclaim. “Velvet Goldmine,” an outtake from the 1971 Ziggy Stardust sessions, was dusted off for this release, adding a rare gem for fans. The single’s release coincided with Bowie’s growing US popularity and his preparation for the Station to Station album (1976), marking a bridge between his glam past and soulful present.

Track Analysis

A-Side: Space Oddity (5:15, Album Version)Lyrics and Theme: Written by David Bowie, “Space Oddity” tells the story of Major Tom, an astronaut who loses contact with Earth and drifts into space, blending existential dread with sci-fi wonder. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, the song’s narrative and melancholic tone made it a cultural touchstone.

The 7" was pressed with a standard RCA orange label and housed in a special picture sleeve, not typical for UK singles of the era, copies were also supplied with a black and yellow labels and housed in a MAXIMILLION SEIES sleeve

Music and Production: Produced by Gus Dudgeon, the track features Bowie on vocals and acoustic guitar, Rick Wakeman on Mellotron, and a lush string arrangement by Paul

Buckmaster. Recorded at Trident Studios, London, in June 1969, the album version (5:15) used here retains its cinematic scope, unlike the shorter 1969 single edit (4:33).

Cultural Impact: A UK No. 5 hit in 1969 (and No. 1 in 1975 upon re-release), “Space Oddity” introduced Bowie to a wide audience. Its legacy includes sequels like “Ashes to Ashes” (1980) and covers by artists like Chris Hadfield (2013). It remains one of Bowie’s most iconic songs, used in films, TV, and space-related media.

B-Side 1: Changes (3:33, Album Version)Lyrics and Theme: Written by Bowie, “Changes” from Hunky Dory (1971) is a reflective anthem about personal transformation and artistic reinvention, with the famous line “Turn and face the strange.” Its introspective lyrics and chameleon imagery foreshadowed Bowie’s career-long shape-shifting.

Music and Production: Produced by Ken Scott and Bowie, the track features Rick Wakeman’s distinctive piano, Mick Ronson’s guitar, and Trevor Bolder’s bass. Recorded at Trident Studios in 1971, its jazzy, upbeat arrangement contrasts with its philosophical depth. The 3:33 album version is used here, not a single edit.

Cultural Impact: Though not a hit upon Hunky Dory’s release, “Changes” became one of Bowie’s signature songs, reaching No. 66 in the US when released as a single in 1972. Its inclusion in 1975 helped cement its status, later featured in films like Shrek 2 and covered by artists like Seu Jorge.

B-Side 2: Velvet Goldmine (3:09, Previously Unreleased)Lyrics and Theme: Written by Bowie, “Velvet Goldmine” is a glam rock outtake from the Ziggy Stardust sessions (November 1971). Its suggestive lyrics and swaggering tone evoke the decadent, androgynous vibe of Bowie’s Ziggy persona, possibly referencing the 1967 film Velvet Underground and Nico. The song’s risqué content may have led to its exclusion from the original album.

Music and Production:

Produced by Ken Scott and Bowie, the track features Mick Ronson’s iconic guitar riffs, Trevor Bolder’s bass, and Woody Woodmansey’s drums. Recorded at Trident Studios, its raw, glittery energy aligns with Ziggy Stardust’s aesthetic. This 1975 release was its first official outing, later included on reissues like The Best of David Bowie 1974/1979.

Significance: As a previously unreleased track, “Velvet Goldmine” was a major draw for fans, offering a glimpse into the Ziggy Stardust era’s creative process. Its title inspired the 1998 film Velvet Goldmine, a fictionalized take on glam rock.

Production and Credits

Producers: Gus Dudgeon (“Space Oddity”), Ken Scott and David Bowie (“Changes,” “Velvet Goldmine”).

Songwriters: David Bowie (all tracks).

Musicians:

“Space Oddity”: David Bowie (vocals, acoustic guitar), Rick Wakeman (Mellotron), Herbie Flowers (bass), Terry Cox (drums), Paul Buckmaster (strings).

“Changes”: David Bowie (vocals), Rick Wakeman (piano), Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass), Woody Woodmansey (drums).

“Velvet Goldmine”: David Bowie (vocals, guitar), Mick Ronson (guitar), Trevor Bolder (bass), Woody Woodmansey (drums).

Studios:

Trident Studios, London.

Label: RCA Victor UK (RCA 2593).

Vinyl Specs: 7-inch maxi-single, 45 RPM, with three tracks (unusual for the era). Pressed with RCA’s orange label, typically in a generic sleeve, though some markets (e.g., Netherlands) had picture sleeves.

Critical Reception:

The 1975 maxi-single was well-received by fans and collectors, capitalizing on Bowie’s rising stardom. “Space Oddity” topped the UK charts (No. 1) upon re-release, driven by renewed interest in Bowie’s early work and the David Bowie at the Beeb radio sessions. “Changes” was gaining retrospective acclaim, while “Velvet Goldmine” was a revelation, praised for its raw glam energy. Discogs reviews note the single’s sound quality as “clean and dynamic,” Critics at the time, as noted in Record Collector, saw the release as a savvy move by RCA to bridge Bowie’s past and present, though some felt it leaned heavily on nostalgia rather than new material.