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David Bowie (July 18, 1975) – "Fame" b/w "Right" 7" Single: UK

Jul 18, 1975
4 min read

Updated: Jul 21

BACKGROUND

"Fame" is a funk, funk rock and soul track written by David Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon. Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975, the song expresses Bowie’s dissatisfaction with fame, stardom, and the pressures of management, entourage culture and public expectation. It was issued as the second single from Young Americans and became Bowie’s first US number 1, while performing more modestly in the UK.


"Fame" is a funk, funk rock and soul track written by David Bowie, Carlos Alomar and John Lennon.

Recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City in January 1975, the song expresses Bowie’s dissatisfaction with fame, stardom, and the pressures of management, entourage culture and public expectation.

It was issued as the second single from Young Americans and became Bowie’s first US number 1, while performing more modestly in the UK.


RECORDING

Recorded January 1975 at Electric Lady Studios, New York City. The track originated from a jam session with John Lennon, who contributed guitar and backing vocals. Carlos Alomar developed the main riff, while Lennon introduced the vocal hook that became the song’s title. Production was handled by David Bowie and Harry Maslin.


STYLE & THEMES

"Fame" blends funk, funk rock and soul, with sharp, pointed lyrics reflecting Bowie’s anger toward fame, stardom and his management troubles with Tony Defries. Bowie later described the song as “nasty, angry,” written “with a degree of malice.”


TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES

• Fame — Funk‑driven, rhythm‑heavy track expressing Bowie’s frustration with fame; became his first US number 1. • Right — Soul‑infused track from Young Americans, produced by Tony Visconti and Harry Maslin.


RELEASE HISTORY

• June 2, 1975 (US) — First release. • July 25, 1975 (UK) — UK release. • Album version released March 7, 1975 on Young Americans.


CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS

UK Official Singles Chart:  

Peak position: 17  

First chart date: August 2, 1975

Weeks on chart: 8

Chart run:  

41 (02/08/1975)

33 (09/08/1975)

30 (16/08/1975)

19 (23/08/1975)

21 (30/08/1975)

17 (06/09/1975)

30 (13/09/1975)

39 (20/09/1975)


PERSONNEL

David Bowie — vocals, production Carlos Alomar — guitar John Lennon — backing vocals, guitar Harry Maslin — production Tony Visconti — production on "Right" [Other personnel]


PRODUCTION

Produced by David Bowie and Harry Maslin Label: RCA Victor Catalogue numbers: • RCA 2579 • PB 10320


UK VARIANTS

Artist: David Bowie

Title: Fame

Label: RCA Victor

Country: UK

Catalogue: RCA 2579 / PB 10320 Date: July 18, 1975


Format: 7" Single

Tracklist (7"):  

A — Fame (single version)

B — Right (album version)


Tracklist (7" Promo):  

A — Fame (version)

B — Fame (version)

Notes:   Includes both push‑out centre and solid centre variants .

Promo copies issued under RCA 2579.


INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS

  • Australia (1975)  

  • Fame — 7" — RCA Victor 102639

  • Brazil (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 33⅓ RPM — RCA 101.4067 Fame — 7", 33⅓ RPM, Promo — RCA 101.4067

  • Canada (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor PB‑10320 Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Orange Label — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Fame — 7", Promo — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Colombia (1976)  

  • Fame / Right — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor 51‑51843

  • Ecuador (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA ECK‑200431

  • El Salvador (1975)  

  • Fame = Fama — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Fame = Fama — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Europe (1983)  

  • Fame — 7", Reissue — RCA BOW 507 / RCA 2579

  • France (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor PB 10320

  • Germany (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA PB‑10320 Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor PB‑10320 / 26.11278 (multiple Mainman/RCA variants)

  • Greece (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor RCS 4001

  • Ireland (1983)  

  • Fame — 7", Reissue — RCA BOW 507

  • Japan (1975)   フェイム = Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA SS‑2482 フェイム = Fame — 7", Promo — RCA SS‑2482

  • Mexico (1975)  

  • Fame / Right — 7", 45 RPM, Promo — RCA Victor SP‑4341 Fame = Fama / Right = Correcto — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor SP‑4341

  • New Zealand (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Mono — RCA PB 10320

  • Philippines (1975)  

  • Fame / Right — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Portugal (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor PB‑10320 Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • Rhodesia (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA Victor 42‑647

  • South Africa (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo — RCA Victor 42‑647 / PB 10320

  • Spain (1975–1978)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM — RCA PB‑10320 Fame — 7", Promo — RCA PB‑10320

  • Fame — 7", Reissue (1978) — RCA Victor PB‑10320

  • UK (1975)  

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Push‑Out Centre — RCA Victor RCA 2579 / PB 10320

  • Fame — 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre — RCA Victor RCA 2579 Fame — 7", Promo — RCA Victor RCA 2579


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