Repetition (song)
Encyclopedia
"Repetition" is a song written by David Bowie
in 1979
for the album Lodger
. In the song Bowie explores domestic violence
from the abuser's point of view, sung in a deliberately unemotional tone that served to highlight the lyric and the unnatural slur of the bass guitar.
Musicians on this song:
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...
in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
for the album Lodger
Lodger (album)
Lodger is an album by British singer-songwriter David Bowie, released in 1979. The last of the 'Berlin Trilogy' recorded in collaboration with Brian Eno , it was more accessible than its immediate predecessors Low and "Heroes", having no instrumentals and being somewhat lighter and more pop-oriented...
. In the song Bowie explores domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
from the abuser's point of view, sung in a deliberately unemotional tone that served to highlight the lyric and the unnatural slur of the bass guitar.
Musicians on this song:
- David Bowie: Vocals
- Dennis DavisDennis DavisDennis 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...
: DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - George MurrayGeorge Murray (musician)George Murray is an American bass guitarist best known for his work with David Bowie as a part of his regular ensemble , on a number of Bowie's albums released in the 1970s.-Selective Discography:Weldon Irvine...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Carlos AlomarCarlos AlomarCarlos Alomar is an American guitarist, composer and arranger best known for his work with David Bowie, having played on more Bowie albums than any other musician...
: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Simon HouseSimon HouseSimon House is a composer and classically trained violinist and keyboard player, perhaps best known for his work with space rock band Hawkwind. His arrival in 1974 introduced a new element to the band's style...
: ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - Adrian BelewAdrian BelewAdrian Belew is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer...
: GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Roger Powell: SynthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
Other releases
- It was released as the B-side of the single "DJDJ (song)"DJ" was a single by David Bowie. It was taken from the album Lodger in the UK, being released on June 29, 1979.A cynical comment on the cult of the DJ, the track is noted for Adrian Belew's guitar solo, which was recorded in multiple takes, and then mixed back together for the album track...
" in June 1979. - The single release of "YassassinYassassin"Yassassin " is a song written by David Bowie in 1979 for the album Lodger. "Yassassin" is an incongruous reggae song with a Turkish flavour, and the third single to be released from Lodger, but only in the Netherlands and Turkey.The actual Turkish verb used to wish someone a long life is spelled...
" in June 1979 had this song as the B-side. - It also appeared as the B-side of the single "Look Back in AngerLook Back in Anger (song)"Look Back in Anger" is a song written by David Bowie and Brian Eno for the album Lodger . It concerns "a tatty 'Angel Of Death'", and features a guitar solo by Carlos Alomar....
" in August 1979. - It was released as a picture disc 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.
Cover versions
- Au PairsAu PairsAu pair or au pairs can refer to:*Au pair, a person who cares for children*Au Pair *Au Pair Girls, a movie*Au Pairs , a musical group...
- Playing with a Different SexPlaying with a Different SexPlaying with a Different Sex was the first album of British post-punk band Au Pairs. In its review, Allmusic described the album as "one of the great, and perhaps forgotten, post-punk records." The album peaked at #33 in Britain and launched the single "It's Obvious", which reached #37 on the Club...
(1981). This had earlier been performed for a John PeelJohn PeelJohn Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
Session broadcast 12/6/1980 and subsequently released on Equal but Different (1994). - The Emperor Machine - Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered (2008)
- TearistTearistTearist is an American experimental electronic music and performance duo from Los Angeles consisting of Yasmine Kittles and William Stangeland Menchaca . Their self-titled debut album sold out within months and their live followup record, Living: 2009-Present, received mixed reviews due to the...
- "We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie"