Tin Machine: Prisoner of Love Single (1989)

David Bowie
Oct 30, 1989
3 min read

Bowie's Band's Moody Muse

Tin Machine’s “Prisoner of Love” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on October 30, 1989, on EMI Records (catalogue: MT 7630). Backed with a live version of “Baby Can Dance,” this brooding rocker, written by the band (David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels, Hunt Sales, Tony Sales), was the third single from their self-titled debut album. Produced by Tin Machine and Tim Palmer, the track’s dark lyrics and Gabrels’ angular guitar marked Bowie’s punk-infused band era, peaking at No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart for 3 weeks. Issued in a picture sleeve with band artwork, it’s a key artifact of Bowie’s collaborative 1980s phase.

Overview

7" Vinyl Single

Label: EMI USA – MT 76

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo

Country: UK

Released: 30 Oct 1989

A Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B Baby Can Dance (Live)

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – David Bowie

Licensed To – EMI USA

Record Company – Capitol Records, Inc.

Published By – EMI Music Publishing Ltd.

Manufactured By – EMI Records Ltd.

Pressed By – EMI Records

Design – Reiner Design Consultants, Inc.

Photography By [Photo] – Cesar Vera

Producer – Tim Palmer, Tin Machine

Manufactured in the UK by EMI Music Limited

[B] Mobil Recording Services courtesy of Westwood One.

Live track recorded at La Cigale, Paris on June 25, 1989.

For the envelope-style box/sleeve version see Tin Machine - Prisoner Of Love.

Chart Performance:

UK: No. 46 (Official Singles Chart), charting for 3 weeks.

US: No. 80 (Billboard Hot 100, 4 weeks).

Australia: No. 50 (Kent Music Report, 2 weeks).

Netherlands: No. 50 (Single Top 100, 3 weeks).

Germany: No. 44 (GfK, 5 weeks).

Ireland: No. 25 (Irish Singles Chart, 2 weeks).

New Zealand: No. 28 (RMNZ, 3 weeks).

Canada: No. 67 (RPM, 2 weeks).

Belgium: No. 29 (Ultratop Flanders, 4 weeks).

France: No. 38 (SNEP, 3 weeks).

Sweden: No. 20 (Sverigetopplistan, 2 weeks).

Norway: No. 10 (VG-lista, 3 weeks).

UK Chart Data:

Entry Date: November 4, 1989.

Peak: No. 46 (November 11, 1989).

Weeks on Chart: 3 (Nov 4–Nov 25, 1989).

Chart Run: No. 46 (Nov 4), No. 46 (Nov 11), No. 50 (Nov 18), No. 55 (Nov 25).

Note: The single’s modest performance was overshadowed by Tin Machine’s debut album (No. 3 UK, 1989), but it highlighted the band's live prowess.

Single Chart Performance

“Prisoner of Love” peaked at No. 46 in the UK, charting for 3 weeks, and saw limited international success, peaking at No. 10 in Norway and No. 20 in Sweden, reflecting Tin Machine’s niche appeal.

12" Vinyl Single

Label: EMI USA – TCMT 76

Format: Cassette, Single

Country: UK

Released: Oct 1989

A1 Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

A2 Baby Can Dance (Live)

B1 Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B2 Baby Can Dance (Live)

CD Single

Label: EMI USA – CDMT 76, EMI USA – 2035742

Format: CD, Single

Country: UK

Released: Oct 1989

1 Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

2 Baby Can Dance (Live)

3 Crack City (Live)

4 Prisoner Of Love (LP Version)

Cassette Single

Label: EMI USA – TCMT 76

Format: Cassette, Single

Country: UK

Released: Oct 1989

A1 Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

A2 Baby Can Dance (Live)

B1 Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B2 Baby Can Dance (Live)

7" Vinyl Single Box Set

Label: EMI USA – MTS 76, EMI USA – MT 76

Format: Box Set, Stereo

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Postcards

Country: UK

Released: 1989

A Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B Baby Can Dance (Live)

Comes in a metallic finish, envelope-style box/sleeve and includes 4 postcards of the band members.

7" Vinyl Single Shaped Picture Disc

Label: EMI USA – MTPD 76

Format: Vinyl, 7", Shape, Picture Disc

Country: UK

Released: Oct 1989

A Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B Baby Can Dance (Live)

7" Vinyl Single Shaped Picture Disc (Uncut)

Label: EMI USA – MTPD 76

Format: Vinyl, 7", Picture Disc, Test Pressing, Uncut

Country: UK

Released: Oct 1989

A Prisoner Of Love (Edit)

B Baby Can Dance (Live)

Legacy and Collectibility

“Prisoner of Love” is a Tin Machine standout, with Bowie’s Iggy-inspired lyrics and Gabrels’ guitar, while the live B-side captures the band’s energy. Original UK 7-inch vinyls fetch £3–£10 on eBay/Discogs, with Japanese pressings (£8–£20) prized for obi strips. Verify catalogue MT 7630. Streams on Spotify via Tin Machine deluxe editions preserve the analog bite. This single is a must-have for Bowie and Tin Machine collectors.

Have you snagged this Tin Machine rarity in your vinyl collection? Does “Prisoner of Love” haunt you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Discogs: Prisoner of Love (1989)

Official Charts Company: Tin Machine Singles

AllMusic: Tin Machine Discography

Wikipedia: Tin Machine Discography

Billboard Chart History: Tin Machine

YouTube: Prisoner of Love Official Video (2009 upload, 1M+ views)