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"Never Let Me Down"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Never Let Me Down
B-side	'87 and Cry
Released	August 1987
Format	7"/12" single
Recorded	Mountain Studios, Montreux, Autumn 1986
Genre	Rock/Pop
Length	3:58
Label	EMI EA239
Writer(s)	David Bowie, Carlos Alomar
Producer	David Bowie, David Richards
David Bowie singles chronology
"Time Will Crawl" (1987) "Never Let Me Down" (1987) Tin Machine: "Under the God" (1988) David Bowie: "Fame '90" (1990)
7" Picture Disc Cover EAP 239

"Never Let Me Down" is the title track on David Bowie's album Never Let Me Down. It was issued as the third single from the album in August 1987 – it would be Bowie's last solo single until 1992's "Real Cool World", barring a remix of "Fame".

The song is seen as a homage to Bowie's late friend John Lennon, and is one of the more respected songs on a much-maligned album – like "Time Will Crawl", the track is often complimented for its simple, straightforward arrangement. Despite comparisons to Lennon, Bowie at the time dedicated the track to his long-serving personal assistant Corinne "Coco" Schwab.

Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed a dream-like video of a 1950s-style ‘Dance Marathon' for the single. However, it continued Bowie's recent string of chart disappointments in the UK, stalling at #34. It fared slightly better in America, reaching #27.

Track listing

• A-side written by Bowie/Alomar, b-side by Bowie

7": EMI America / EA 239 / EAP 239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down" (Single Version) – 3:58
2. "'87 and Cry" (Single Version) – 3:53

• Note that while the sleeve and label list the title track as a Single Version, it is in fact the regular album version.
• '87 and Cry is the shortened version found only on the vinyl release of "Never Let Me Down."
• The track listing for the picture disc (EAP 239) is identical to the regular 7" single.

MC: EMI America / TCEA 239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down" – 3:58
2. "Day-In Day-Out (Groucho Mix)"
3. "Time Will Crawl (Extended Dance Mix)" - 6:00
4. "'87 and Cry (edit)" – 3:53

12": EMI America / 12EA 239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Mix)" – 7:00
2. "'87 and Cry (edit)" - 4:18
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" – 3:55
4. "Never Let Me Down (A cappella)" – 2:03

• '87 and Cry was deleted from the 12" in some territories.

12": EMI / V-19255 (US)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Remix)" – 7:00
2. "Never Let Me Down (7" Remix Edit)" - 3:58
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 3:55
4. "Never Let Me Down (Acapella)" - 2:03
5. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 4:00
6. "'87 And Cry (Edit)" - 3:52

CD: Toshiba-EMI / CP20-5520 (Japan)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
2. "Never Let Me Down (7" remix)" - 3:58
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
4. "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
5. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14
6. "'87 and Cry (single version)" - 3:53

CD: EMI America / DPRO-31352 (US)

1. "Never Let Me Down (Edit)"
2. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
3. "Never Let Me Down (Dub)" - 4:18
4. "Never Let Me Down (A Cappella)" - 5:35
5. "Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)" - 5:14
6. "Never Let Me Down (LP version)" - 6:11

• Promo CD

Download: EMI / iEA239 (UK)

1. "Never Let Me Down" – 3:58
2. "'87 and Cry (edit)" – 3:53
3. "Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance mix)" - 6:11
4. "Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acappella)" - 5:57
5. "Shining Star (12" Mix)" - 6:27

• released 2007

Production credits

• Producers:
  • David Bowie
  • David Richards

• Musicians:
  • David Bowie: Vocals
  • Carlos Alomar: Guitar
  • Erdal Kizilcay: Bass, Drums, Keyboards
  • 'Crusher' Bennett: Percussion

• Additional musicians on Extended Dance Mix, Dub and Acapella:
  • David Eiland: Alto Sax
  • Steve Hodge: Keyboards
  • Spencer Bernard: Synthesizers

Other releases

• It appeared on the following compilations:
  • Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 (1993) (in some regions)
  • Best of Bowie (2002) (in some regions)

Cover versions

• Birth Marc - Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)

Chart positions

References

Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5