🎼 Boys Keep Swinging – Single: Apr. 1979

David Bowie
Apr 27, 1979
3 min read

As the Berlin Trilogy reached its conclusion, David Bowie released one of his most playful and subversive singles yet — a glam-infused rocker that celebrated gender fluidity with tongue firmly in cheek.

Issued in the UK on 27 April 1979 on RCA Victor (catalogue BOW 2), “Boys Keep Swinging” (backed with “Fantastic Voyage”) became a major hit and one of the standout moments from the album Lodger.

🔘 The Story

“Boys Keep Swinging” was written by David Bowie and Brian Eno during the Lodger sessions and produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti. The track was built on the same chord sequence as the album’s “Fantastic Voyage,” but transformed into an upbeat, glam-tinged rocker.

To achieve a raw, amateurish energy, Bowie had the musicians swap instruments — a technique inspired by Eno’s Oblique Strategies. The song’s lyrics playfully explored male privilege and gender identity with ironic flair. The promotional video, directed by David Mallet, featured Bowie in three different drag personas, ending with the performers smearing their makeup — a bold, camp statement that helped propel the single to No.7 on the UK chart.

It marked Bowie’s highest UK chart position in two years and became a fan favourite for its subversive charm and infectious energy.

🔘 Personnel

• David Bowie — Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano

• Brian Eno — Synthesiser, Piano

• Carlos Alomar — Drums (instrument swap)

• Dennis Davis — Bass (instrument swap)

• Adrian Belew — Guitar Solo

• Tony Visconti — Bass, Backing Vocals, Producer

🔘 Key Highlights

• Lead single from the album Lodger

• UK chart peak of No.7

• Iconic gender-bending promotional video

• Co-written with Brian Eno

Label: RCA Victor

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Released: 27 April 1979 (UK)

Side A: Boys Keep Swinging

Side B: Fantastic Voyage

🔘 UK Variants

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Push-out Centre (RCA Victor – BOW 2 / PB 1585)

• 7", Single, Promo (RCA Victor – BOW 2)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Solid Centre (RCA Victor – BOW 2)

🔘 UK Chart Performance

• Peak position: #7

• Total weeks on chart: 10

• First chart date: 5 May 1979

🔘 International Variants (selective)

• 7", 45 RPM (RCA Victor – 103371) – Australia, 1979

• 7", Single, 45 RPM (RCA – PB-11585) – Canada, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc (Parlophone – DBBOYS 40) – Europe, 2019

• 7", Single, 45 RPM (RCA – PB 1585) – France, 1979

• 7", Single, 45 RPM (RCA – PB 1585) – Germany, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo (RCA – PB 1585) – Italy, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo (RCA – SS-3215) – Japan, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo (RCA – SS-3215) – Japan, 1979

• 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo (RCA Victor – PD-1593) – Netherlands, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single (RCA Victor – PB-1585) – Netherlands, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM (RCA Victor – 103371) – New Zealand, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo (RCA Victor – PB-1585) – Portugal, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Promo (RCA Victor – PB-1585) – Spain, 1979

• 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Promo (RCA – none) – Spain, 1979

🔘 International Chart Performance

Strong chart performance in Europe; reached the Top 10 in several territories. Modest success in other markets.

🔘 Context & Notes

• Final single from the Berlin Trilogy era

• Notable for its subversive, gender-bending video and lyrics

🔘 Discography

Breaking Glass – 1978

Boys Keep Swinging – 1979

D.J. – 1979

April 28 1979 Sounds Review

🔘 Related Material

Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.

🔘 Glam Flashback

Even as he closed the Berlin chapter, Bowie still knew how to swing with a wink and a swagger — proving the Thin White Duke could still deliver pure glam mischief.

#ReleaseChronicle #DavidBowie #BoysKeepSwinging #1979 #RCARecords #BerlinTrilogy

🔘 Sources

Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts, Wikipedia.

📝 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.