“Breaking Glass” was originally a track on Bowie’s 1977 album Low, a reworked version of the song was a regular on the singer’s 1978 tour. A live version from that tour was used as the lead track on a 7″ EP to promote Bowie’s second live album, Stage in 1978. The EP reached number 54 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1978.
In the US, the track “Star” was chosen as the lead track for the live EP (with “What in the World” and “Breaking Glass” as B-sides), but failed to chart, while in Japan “Blackout” was released to promote Stage.
“Breaking Glass” has been performed on subsequent Bowie tours in 1978, 1983, 1995–1996, 2002 and 2003-2004 tours.
Track listing
side A. Breaking Glass 3:28
side B1. Art Decade 3:10
side B2. Ziggy Stardust 3:32
Description
Label: RCA Victor / PB-9337
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Colored Vinyl, Live Single
Country: The netherlands
Released: 17 November 1978
\Recorded at: All tracks are live from ‘Stage’ album
Recorded date: 1978
Media Condition: Very Good Plus plus (VG++)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus Plus (VG++)
ring wear: light ring marks
All three seams looking perfect: Yes
Picture sleeve looks near mint: Yes/No
creases or folds: No
stamps or writing: No
Credits
David Bowie – vocal, co-producer
Tony Visconti – co-producer
Adrian Belew – lead guitar, backing vocal
Carlos Alomar – rhythm guitar, backing vocal
Simon House – electric violin
Sean Mayes – piano, string ensemble, backing vocal
Roger Powell – keyboards, synthesizer, backing vocal
George Murray – bass, backing vocal
Dennis Davis – percussion, drums
Live versions
A spring 1978 live version recorded on the Heroes tour was released on Stage and on the above-mentioned single. This live version was also released as the B-side of the single “Star” in 1978.
A live performance filmed on 12 September 1983 was included on Serious Moonlight (1983 film).
A November 2003 live version recorded on the A Reality Tour was released on the A Reality Tour album, in 2010.
Other releases
The song appeared on the following compilations:
Chameleon (Holland 1979) (studio version)
The Best of Bowie (1980) (1978 live version)
Sound + Vision box set (1989) (1978 live version)
The Best of David Bowie 1974/1979 (1998) (studio version)
The Platinum Collection (2005/2006) (studio version)
It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.
