🔘 The Laughing Gnome – Single: May 1982

Released: May 28, 1982 (UK)

Label: Decca Records

Catalogue Number: F 13807

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

A surprise early‑’80s chart‑revival reissue of Bowie’s 1967 novelty single — backed with The Gospel According to Tony Day.

Issued by Decca to capitalise on Bowie’s rising mainstream profile, the single returned to the UK charts fifteen years after its original release.

🔘 Overview

Originally released in April 1967, The Laughing Gnome was one of Bowie’s pre‑fame Deram‑era singles — a whimsical, comic track built around sped‑up vocal effects and music‑hall charm. In 1982, Decca reissued the single on May 28 as F 13807, timed to coincide with renewed interest in Bowie following Scary Monsters and the lead‑up to his Let’s Dance era.

The B‑side, The Gospel According to Tony Day, remains one of Bowie’s more obscure 1967 recordings. The reissue unexpectedly charted, giving Bowie a novelty‑era hit long after he had moved into global superstardom.

🔘 Track List (Common Configurations)

7" Vinyl — F 13807

A. The Laughing Gnome

B. The Gospel According to Tony Day

Written by: David Bowie

Produced by: Mike Vernon

🔘 Release Details

Label: Decca Records

Formats: 7" Vinyl

Country: UK

Year: 1982

Notes:

- 1982 Decca reissue of the 1967 Deram‑era single

- B‑side retains original 1967 pairing

- Issued in picture sleeve

- Charted unexpectedly during Bowie’s early‑’80s resurgence

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified)

Variant 1

UK – Decca – F 13807 (1982)

Format: 7" Vinyl (Paper Label)

Variant 2

UK – Decca – F 13807 (1982)

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

🔘 Chart Data (BBC / Official Charts Company)

Peak Position: UK — No. 6

Weeks on Chart: 11

Chart Run (Official Charts):

06 Jun 1982 — No. 32

13 Jun 1982 — No. 19

20 Jun 1982 — No. 12

27 Jun 1982 — No. 6

04 Jul 1982 — No. 6

11 Jul 1982 — No. 10

18 Jul 1982 — No. 15

25 Jul 1982 — No. 23

01 Aug 1982 — No. 33

08 Aug 1982 — No. 45

15 Aug 1982 — No. 63

🔘 Context & Notes

Recording Notes

A playful, pre‑fame Bowie track featuring sped‑up “gnome” vocals and a light, music‑hall arrangement — far removed from his later work.

Collector Notes

1982 picture sleeves are highly collectible. Injection‑moulded variants are scarcer and command strong interest.

Legacy

A novelty hit reborn — an early Bowie curiosity unexpectedly revived for the 1980s charts.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Bowie Reissue

Space Oddity (1975 reissue)

Next Bowie Single

Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (1982)

🔘 Discography (Selected, Chronological)

The Laughing Gnome — 1967

The Gospel According to Tony Day — 1967

The Laughing Gnome (Reissue) — 1982

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

1967 — Original single released

May 28, 1982 — UK reissue released

Jun.–Aug. 1982 — Peaks at UK No. 6

🔘 Glam Flashback

A whimsical Bowie relic — resurrected at the height of his early‑’80s fame.

🔘 Sources

Decca Records

Discogs

Official Charts Company

Bowie archival documentation