“Sound and Vision” is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie which appeared on his 1977 album Low. The song is notable for juxtaposing an uplifting guitar and synthesizer-led instrumental track with Bowie’s withdrawn lyrics. In keeping with the minimalist approach of Low, Bowie and co-producer Tony Visconti originally recorded the track as an instrumental, bar the backing vocal (performed by Visconti’s wife, Mary Hopkin). Bowie then recorded his vocal after the rest of the band had left the studio, before trimming verses off the lyrics and leaving a relatively lengthy instrumental intro on the finished song.
Selected as the first single from the album, “Sound and Vision” was used by the BBC on trailers at the time. This provided considerable exposure, much needed as Bowie opted to do nothing to promote the single himself, and helped the song to No. 3. The song was also a top ten hit in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. However, it stalled at No. 87 in Canada and only managed No. 69 in the United States, where it signaled the end of Bowie’s short commercial honeymoon until “Let’s Dance” in 1983.
The first live performance of the song was at Earl’s Court during the Isolar II Tour on 1 July 1978. In 1990, it was a regular number for Bowie’s greatest hits Sound+Vision Tour. The name was also used for a Rykodisc boxed set anthology in 1989.
side A. Sound And Vision 3:00
Music/Text: David Bowie
Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
side B. A New Career In A New Town 2:50
Music/Text: David Bowie
Producer: David Bowie, Tony Visconti
Description
Label: RCA Victor – PB-0905
Label:
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: The netherlands
Released: 1977
Recorded at:
Recorded date:
Media Condition: Very Good Plus/Near Mint (NM)(VG+++)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus/Near Mint (NM)(VG+++)
ring wear: No ,light backside
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: Yes
creases or folds: No
stamps or writing: Yes
Sound And Vision
Bass – George Murray
Guitar – Ricky Gardener*
Percussion – Dennis Davis
Piano – Roy Young
Rhythm Guitar – Carlos Alomar
Strings [Synthetic], Saxophone, Vocals – David Bowie
Vocals – Eno*, Mary Visconti
Bass – George Murray
Guitar – Ricky Gardener*
Percussion – Dennis Davis
Piano – Roy Young
Rhythm Guitar – Carlos Alomar
Strings [Synthetic], Saxophone, Vocals – David Bowie
Vocals – Eno*, Mary Visconti
A New Career In A New Town
Bass – George Murray
Guitar – Ricky Gardener*
Percussion – Dennis Davis
Piano – Roy Young
Piano, Synthesizer [All Synthetics] – Eno*
Rhythm Guitar – Carlos Alomar
Tape [Sax Section], Harmonica, Piano – David Bowie
