“DJ” was released on the 1979 album Lodger, and then as a single on 29 June 1979.
A cynical comment on the cult of the DJ, the track is noted for Adrian Belew’s guitar solo, which was recorded in multiple takes, and then mixed back together for the album track. In a biography of Talking Heads, it is said this song was an attempt by Bowie to sing like David Byrne, who was befriending Brian Eno at the time. The single was an edited version, but was still possibly too uncommercial for substantial chart success – it peaked at No. 29 in the UK, and was not released in other markets. The single was issued on green vinyl in the UK and is now a very desirable collector’s item.
The song was performed live for the first time on Bowie’s Outside Tour in 1995.
Track listing
“DJ” (Bowie, Eno, Alomar) – 3:59
“Repetition” (Bowie) – 2:59
Producers:
Tony Visconti
David Bowie
Musicians:
David Bowie: Vocals, Chamberlin, Piano
Adrian Belew: Guitar
Carlos Alomar: Guitar
George Murray: Bass Guitar
Dennis Davis: Drums
Simon House: Violin
Brian Eno: Synthesizer on “Repetition”
