David Bowie: "I Pity the Fool" Single (1965)

The Manish Boys' "I Pity the Fool" was released as a single, backed with "Take My Tip", in the UK through Parlophone Records on March 5, 1965.

The recording was produced by Shel Talmy, who also worked on the early singles and albums for the Who and the Kinks. Jimmy Page, Talmy's regular session musician, performed the guitar solo on "I Pity the Fool".

In these sessions, Page provided Bowie with a guitar riff that he was initially unsure how to use. Bowie eventually incorporated this riff into two separate songs: first in "The Supermen" from 1970 and later in "Dead Man Walking" from 1997. The B-side, "Take My Tip," was the first song written by David Bowie (then credited as Davie Jones) to be released on record.

Releases

In March 1979, EMI in the UK re-released both the A and B-side on one side of a 7-inch single. The B-side of this reissue included "You've Got a Habit of Leaving" and "Baby Loves That Way." This version was re-released by See For Miles Records in the UK in October 1982 and as a 12-inch picture disc in June 1985. The 1982 re-release by See For Miles reduced the collector's market demand since EMI's March 1979 reissue quickly vanished. Both tracks are featured on the 1991 CD compilation Early On (1964-1966), but with alternate vocals.

Personnel

According to Chris O'Leary

David Jones – vocals, alto saxophone

Johnny Flux – rhythm guitar

Jimmy Page – lead guitar

John Watson – bass guitar

Mick White – drums

Bob Solly – Leslie organ

Woolf Byrne – baritone saxophone

Paul Rodriguez – tenor saxophone, trumpet