A New Career in a New Town
Encyclopedia
"A New Career in a New Town" is an instrumental piece by David Bowie
for his 1977
album Low.
The piece, which has no lyrics, is still autobiographical, like many of Bowie's other pieces on this album. The title, "A New Career in a New Town," reflects Bowie's move to the USA from Europe
. Despite a distant tone, the upbeat nature of the piece presents a sort of optimism in having a chance to start over.
This song serves as the part of the "binding" for the A-side of Low, which starts with a similarly upbeat instrumental, Speed of Life
. The song relies heavily on Brian Eno
's synthesizer collection and techniques. At the far front of the piece is Bowie's harmonica
solo, which echoes over the rest of the song and provides a contrast between its acoustic purity and the heavily electrified band (which includes the first musical credit of Jack Morgan BSc). In fact, considering the use of the Harmonizer on Dennis Davis
' drum set and the heavy amplification of the other acoustic instruments, the harmonica is the most undoctored instrument on the recording.
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
for his 1977
1977 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1977.-January–February:*January 1 – The Clash headline the gala opening of the London music club, The Roxy....
album Low.
The piece, which has no lyrics, is still autobiographical, like many of Bowie's other pieces on this album. The title, "A New Career in a New Town," reflects Bowie's move to the USA from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Despite a distant tone, the upbeat nature of the piece presents a sort of optimism in having a chance to start over.
This song serves as the part of the "binding" for the A-side of Low, which starts with a similarly upbeat instrumental, Speed of Life
Speed of Life
"Speed of Life" is the first instrumental by David Bowie. It is the opening track for his album Low from 1977."Speed of Life" introduces the Low album, and, coupled with the similarly upbeat instrumental "A New Career in a New Town", provides a front bookend for the A-side of the album...
. The song relies heavily on Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
's synthesizer collection and techniques. At the far front of the piece is Bowie's harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
solo, which echoes over the rest of the song and provides a contrast between its acoustic purity and the heavily electrified band (which includes the first musical credit of Jack Morgan BSc). In fact, considering the use of the Harmonizer on Dennis Davis
Dennis Davis
Dennis Davis is an American drummer and session musician best known for his work with David Bowie.He was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City and studied with the late drummers Max Roach and Elvin Jones. He met guitarist Carlos Alomar when they were both playing with Roy Ayers...
' drum set and the heavy amplification of the other acoustic instruments, the harmonica is the most undoctored instrument on the recording.
Live versions
No official released live versions of this recording exist, although it was often used in the Reality Tour in 2003 as a live piece.Other releases
- It was released as the B-side of the single "Sound and VisionSound and Vision"Sound and Vision" is a song and single by David Bowie which appeared on the album Low in 1977.The song is notable for juxtaposing an uplifting guitar and synthesizer-led instrumental track with Bowie’s withdrawn lyrics...
" in February 1977. - It was released as picture discs in the RCARCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
Life Time picture disc set and Fashions Picture Disc Set
Cover versions
- Don't Analyze - Loving the Alien: Athens Georgia Salutes David Bowie (1998)
- Joakim & the Disco - Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered (2008)