Tonight Single UK (1984)

A Blue Jean Soul Duet Echo

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 26, 1984, on EMI America (catalogue: EA 187), David Bowie’s “Tonight” — featuring Tina Turner — was the title track and second single from the Tonight album. Backed with “Tumble And Twirl,” this reggae-tinged Iggy Pop co-write (Bowie/Pop) — produced by Bowie, Derek Bramble, and Hugh Padgham — peaked at No. 53 on the Official Singles Chart for 5 weeks. Issued in paper labels, silver injection labels, and limited poster sleeve variants, with 12-inch extended mixes. A soulful ‘80s Bowie moment.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: EMI America.

Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (paper/silver injection labels, poster sleeve), 12".

Full Track Listing

7" Vinyl (EA 187) – all UK pressings

Side A

Tonight (3:42) – Written-By: D. Bowie, I. Pop – feat. Tina Turner

Side B

Tumble And Twirl (4:56) – Written-By: D. Bowie, I. Pop

12" Vinyl (12EA 187)

Side A

Tonight (Vocal Dance Mix) (4:29)

Side B

1. Tumble And Twirl (Extended Dance Mix) (5:03)

2. Tonight (Dub Mix) (4:16)

Reissues & Global Variants

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels – EMI America EA 187 – UK – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Silver Injection Labels – EMI America EA 187 – UK – 1984

- 7", Single, Limited Edition, Poster Sleeve – EMI America EA 187 – UK – 1984

- 12", 45 RPM – EMI America 12EA 187 – UK – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI America – Australia/Canada/France/Germany/Netherlands/Portugal/Spain/USA – 1984

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – EMI America – New Zealand – 1985

Production and Context

Produced by David Bowie, Derek Bramble, Hugh Padgham. Title track duet with Tina Turner. Reggae-infused cover of Iggy Pop’s 1977 song. From *Tonight* (1984).

Official Singles Chart Data

Peak position: 53

5 weeks – December 8, 1984 to January 19, 1985

58 → 53 → 59 → 64 → 94

Legacy and Collectibility

“Tonight” is Bowie’s soul-reggae Iggy duet with Tina Turner. Original UK EMI America pressings (especially poster sleeve) fetch £10–£40 on eBay/Discogs. Verify catalogue EA 187. Streams on Spotify preserve the blue jean vibe. This single is a must-have for ‘80s Bowie collectors.

Do you have Tonight in your vinyl stack? Is the night still young? 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.