“John, I’m Only Dancing” is a single by English rock musician David Bowie, released in two versions – entirely different recordings, but carrying the same catalogue number – in September 1972 and April 1973. Bowie later re-worked the song into the disco-influenced “John, I’m Only Dancing (Again),” recorded in 1974 but unreleased until 1979.
Track listing
All songs written by David Bowie.
side A. John, I’m Only Dancing – 2:43
side B. Hang On to Yourself – 2:38
Description
Label: RCA Victor – 41 042
Format: Vinyl, 7″, 45 RPM, Single
Country: France
Released: 1 September 1972
Recorded at: Olympic, London
Recorded date: 26 June 1972
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
ring wear: No
All three seams looking perfect:
Picture sleeve looks near mint:
creases or folds: No
stamps or writing: No
Comments: Record and cover are in excellent condition !!!
Recording and release
The song is widely believed to be concerned with a gay relationship, the narrator informing his boyfriend not to worry about the girl he’s with because he’s “only dancing” with her. Bowie had been ‘out’ as bisexual since an interview with Melody Maker in January 1972, and the subject matter did not affect the single’s radio airplay in the UK, where it and the earlier “Starman” became his first back-to-back hits. However, the original video directed by Mick Rock, featuring androgynous dancers from Lindsay Kemp’s mime troupe, was banned by Top of the Pops.
The single was not released in America, being judged too risqué by RCA, and did not officially appear stateside until it was finally issued on the compilation Changesonebowie in 1976. While the hook (“John, I’m only dancing / She turns me on / But I’m only dancing”) has long been considered a gay tease, author Nicholas Pegg asserts that the song’s narrator “could just as easily be a straight man reassuring the girl’s lover”. Alternatively, it has been suggested that Bowie wrote the song in response to a derogatory comment made by John Lennon about Bowie’s cross-dressing.
Musically in a light R&B style, the track was recorded on 26 June 1972, released as a single, and then re-recorded on 20 January 1973[8] during the Aladdin Sane sessions, in a slightly different arrangement featuring Ken Fordham on saxophone. Often called the “sax version”, the second recording was issued as a single in April 1973 with exactly the same catalogue number as the first release, causing difficulties for collectors. Generally held to be superior to the original cut,[3][9] the sax reworking also appeared on early pressings of Changesonebowie before it was replaced with the original single version.
In 1974, a completely reworked funk-influenced version was recorded as “John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)”; this song is described in detail
below.
Personnel
David Bowie – vocals, acoustic guitar, saxophone (sax version), producer
Mick Ronson – lead guitar
Lou Reed – rhythm guitar
Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
Mick Woodmansey – drums
Ken Fordham – saxophone (sax version)
Ken Scott – producer
Lyrics
Well, Annie’s pretty neat
She always eats her meat
And Joe is awful strong
Bet your life he’s puttin’ us on
Oh, lordy
Oh, lordy
You know I need some lovin’
I’m movin’
Touch me
John, I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But don’t get me wrong
I’m only dancing
Oh, shadow love was quick and lean
Life’s a well-thumbed machine
I saw you watchin’ from the stairs
You’re everyone that ever cared
Oh, lordy
Oh, lordy
You know I need some lovin’
I’m movin’
Touch me
John, I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But don’t get me wrong
I’m only dancing
John, I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But I’m only dancing
She turns me on
But don’t get me wrong
I’m only dancing
Dancing
Won’t someone touch me
Touch me
Ooh
