David Bowie: "Zeroes" Single (2018)

David Bowie’s "Zeroes (2018) (Radio Edit)" backed with "Beat of Your Drum (2018) (Radio Edit)", was released as a 7-inch picture disc vinyl single in the UK and Europe by Parlophone Records (catalog number DBZER018) on September 7, 2018.

Overview

Artist: David Bowie

Title: Zeroes (2018) (Radio Edit) / Beat of Your Drum (2018) (Radio Edit)

Label: Parlophone

Country: UK (also distributed in Europe)

Catalogue Number: DB7 8388 (also listed as 0190295614003 in some sources)

Barcode: 0190295614003

Release Date: 7 September 2018

Format: 7" Picture Disc, Limited Edition, Double A-Side

Genre: Rock, Pop Rock, Art Rock

Background

This 7" picture disc was released in anticipation of the Loving the Alien (1983–1988) box set, which included a reimagined version of Bowie’s 1987 album Never Let Me Down (titled Never Let Me Down (2018)). The original Never Let Me Down album, often considered one of Bowie’s less critically acclaimed works, was re-produced in 2018 by producer Mario J. McNulty at Electric Lady Studios in New York. The re-production featured new instrumentation by longtime Bowie collaborators, including Sterling Campbell (drums), Reeves Gabrels and David Torn (guitars), and Tim Lefebvre (bass), while retaining Bowie’s original vocals and some backing tracks.The tracks on this single, "Zeroes (2018) (Radio Edit)" and "Beat of Your Drum (2018) (Radio Edit)", are from this re-produced Never Let Me Down (2018). Both are radio edits exclusive to this picture disc, not included in the box set’s album version, making the release particularly appealing to collectors.

"Zeroes" is a salute to the 1960s, with lyrics referencing Prince’s Little Red Corvette, while "Beat of Your Drum" is a vibrant track reflecting the album’s pop-rock style.

"And me my Little Red Corvette has driven by

Fair weather heart has fallen in

My rainy day girl is feeling down

And she tells me that the world is spinning round

I say the dream was all for you

You're nobody else"

Doesn't matter what you try to do

(Doesn't matter, doesn't matter)"...

Release Details

Tracklisting:

A-Side:

"Zeroes (2018) (Radio Edit)"Written by David Bowie.

Produced by David Bowie, David Richards, and Mario J. McNulty.

Recorded and mixed by Mario J. McNulty.

Features new instrumentation by Sterling Campbell (drums), Reeves Gabrels and David Torn (guitars), and Tim Lefebvre (bass).

A reimagined version of the original 1987 track, described as a subtle improvement with clearer instrumentation and balanced vocals.

AA-Side:

"Beat of Your Drum (2018) (Radio Edit)"Written by David Bowie.

Produced by David Bowie, David Richards, and Mario J. McNulty.

Recorded and mixed by Mario J. McNulty.

Similarly re-produced with new instrumentation, retaining Bowie’s original vocals.

Packaging:

Housed in a sticker-sealed clear PVC sleeve.

The picture disc features images by Greg Gorman, outtakes from the Never Let Me Down album photo session (alternate versions of these images appear on the Never Let Me Down (2018) cover).

Design by Gas Associates.

Copyright and Publishing:Licensed to Parlophone Records Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ 2018 Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC and Parlophone Records Ltd.

Copyright © 2018 Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Co., LLC, Parlophone Records Ltd., Greg Gorman, and The David Bowie Archive.

Published by Jones Music America, ARZO Publishing, and RZO Music Ltd.

Pressing: Pressed by Optimal Media GmbH (Matrix: BI31958).

"Beat of Your Drum (2018) (Radio Edit)" was also released as a one-track digital single on 7 September 2018.

Loving the Alien Box Set: The full Never Let Me Down (2018) album, included in the box set (released 12 October 2018), contains the non-radio edit versions of both tracks. The picture disc’s radio edits are exclusive to this 7" release.