🔘 John, I’m Only Dancing (Again) – Single (Reissue): Dec. 1979

Released: December 14, 1979 (UK)

Label: RCA Records

Catalogue Numbers: BOW 4 / PB 9482

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

A late‑’79 RCA reissue pairing Bowie’s 1974 soul‑era remake with its original 1972 glam‑rock counterpart.

Issued as part of RCA’s BOW catalogue series, the single resurfaced two distinct versions of a Bowie favourite.

🔘 Overview

John, I’m Only Dancing (Again) was released on December 14, 1979 as a UK 7" single on RCA Records. The A‑side featured Bowie’s 1974 Young Americans‑era reworking — a loose, extended, funk‑driven reinterpretation of his 1972 glam‑rock hit.

The B‑side restored the original 1972 recording, creating a retrospective pairing that highlighted Bowie’s dramatic stylistic evolution across the decade. BOW 4 / PB 9482 arrived in an RCA picture sleeve and became a notable entry in the label’s late‑’70s reissue programme.

🔘 Track List (Common Configurations)

7" Vinyl — BOW 4 / PB 9482

A. John, I’m Only Dancing (Again)

B. John, I’m Only Dancing (1972 version)

Written by: David Bowie

Produced by: David Bowie, Tony Visconti (A) / David Bowie, Ken Scott (B)

🔘 Release Details

Label: RCA Records

Formats: 7" Vinyl

Country: UK

Year: 1979

Notes:

- Late‑’70s RCA reissue

- A‑side: 1974 Young Americans‑era remake

- B‑side: original 1972 glam‑rock version

- Issued in picture sleeve

- Part of the BOW catalogue series

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified)

Variant 1

UK – RCA – BOW 4 (1979)

Format: 7" Vinyl (Paper Label)

Variant 2

UK – RCA – PB 9482 (1979)

Format: 7" Vinyl (Injection‑moulded label, select pressings)

🔘 Chart Data (BBC / Official Charts Company)

Peak Position: UK — No. 12

Weeks on Chart: 9

Chart Run (Official Charts):

29 Dec 1979 — No. 41

05 Jan 1980 — No. 26

12 Jan 1980 — No. 18

19 Jan 1980 — No. 12

26 Jan 1980 — No. 15

02 Feb 1980 — No. 22

09 Feb 1980 — No. 29

16 Feb 1980 — No. 38

23 Feb 1980 — No. 56

🔘 Context & Notes

Recording Notes

The 1974 version leans into Bowie’s Philadelphia soul period — loose, funky, and groove‑driven — while the 1972 original remains a sharp, glam‑era classic.

Collector Notes

BOW‑series singles are highly collectible. Clean picture sleeves and early paper‑label pressings are especially prized.

Legacy

A fascinating Bowie time‑capsule — glam swagger on one side, soul‑funk reinvention on the other.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Single

D.J. (1979)

Next Single

Alabama Song (1980)

🔘 Discography (Selected, Chronological)

John, I’m Only Dancing — 1972

John, I’m Only Dancing (Again) — 1974

John, I’m Only Dancing (Again) (Reissue) — 1979

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

1972 — Original version released

1974 — Soul‑era remake recorded

Dec. 14, 1979 — UK reissue released

🔘 Glam Flashback

Two Bowies, one single — glam strut meets Philly soul groove.

🔘 Sources

RCA Records

Discogs

Official Charts Company

Bowie archival documentation