“Rubber Band” was released in December 1966, and marked the start of Bowie’s recording contract with Deram which would include his first album, 1967’s David Bowie.
It was part of the three-track audition tape Bowie’s new manager Kenneth Pitt used to persuade the label to sign him. The track itself shows Bowie’s infatuation at the time with Anthony Newley. Despite some good notices in the music press, the single was a flop, once more failing to break into the UK charts.
The track, recorded in mono in October 1966 for the single, was re-recorded in stereo the following February for Bowie’s debut album.
The B-side, “The London Boys”, was belatedly issued as a UK single in 1975.
Track listing
All songs written by David Bowie.
“Rubber Band” – 2:05
“The London Boys” – 3:20
The US release had “There is a Happy Land” as the B-side.
Production credits[edit]
Producers:
Mike Vernon
Musicians:
David Bowie: Vocals, Guitar
Derek Boyes: Organ
Dek Fearnley: Bass
John Eager: Drums
Other releases
In 1969 Bowie performed it in his promo film Love You Till Tuesday.
It was also released as the B-side of the Spanish reissue of “The Laughing Gnome” in 1973.
It also appeared on the following compilations:
The World of David Bowie (1970)
Images 1966-1967 (1973)
Coccinelle Varietes (France 1973)
El Rey Del Gay Power (Spain 1973)
20 Bowie Classics (Australia 1979)
Another Face (album)|Another Face (1981)
Historia De La Musica Rock (Spanish 1981)
Love You Till Tuesday (1984)
The Collection (1985)
The Gospel According to David Bowie (Germany 1993)
London Boy (1996)
The Deram Anthology 1966–1968 (1997) (single and album versions)
