Tin Machine (song)
Encyclopedia
"Tin Machine" is the song from which the band Tin Machine
took their name, a track from their debut album
, also of the same name. It was released as a single in September 1989, as a double A-side with a live cover of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie's Farm
”.
According to Reeves Gabrels
, naming the band after the song was the idea of the Sales brothers, who reasoned “It’s like having your own theme tune”. The track itself revisits several Bowie motifs, including withdrawing from the world into a room from the horrors of the world, and also featured the contempt for corruption evident elsewhere in Tin Machine’s output.
“Maggie’s Farm” and the other live tracks were recorded at the band’s gig at La Cigale
, Paris
on June 25, 1989. Both songs had videos – “Tin Machine” featured in an excerpt from Julien Temple
’s promotional film as a mock performance where the fans stormed the stage, leaving Bowie with a nosebleed; and “Maggie’s Farm” was recorded live. Despite this, the double-A side entered the chart at its UK #48 peak.
The live version of Bus Stop (often known as the Country version, or Live Country version) would later appear as a bonus track on 1995 Virgin Records
reissue of Tin Machine
.
12” version
CD version
Musicians
Tin Machine
Tin Machine was a hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career...
took their name, a track from their debut album
Tin Machine (album)
Tin Machine is the debut album of Tin Machine originally released by EMI in 1989. The group was the latest venture of David Bowie, inspired by sessions with guitarist Reeves Gabrels...
, also of the same name. It was released as a single in September 1989, as a double A-side with a live cover of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie's Farm
Maggie's Farm
"Maggie's Farm" is a song written by Bob Dylan, recorded on January 15, 1965, and released on the album Bringing It All Back Home on March 22 of that year...
”.
According to Reeves Gabrels
Reeves Gabrels
Reeves Gabrels is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."...
, naming the band after the song was the idea of the Sales brothers, who reasoned “It’s like having your own theme tune”. The track itself revisits several Bowie motifs, including withdrawing from the world into a room from the horrors of the world, and also featured the contempt for corruption evident elsewhere in Tin Machine’s output.
“Maggie’s Farm” and the other live tracks were recorded at the band’s gig at La Cigale
Tin Machine Tour
The Tin Machine Tour of David Bowie's band Tin Machine commenced on 14 June 1989, following a performance of Heaven's In Here at the International Music Awards in New York City on 31 May 1989. The tour comprised 12 performances in six countries in venues with a capacity of 2,000 or less...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
on June 25, 1989. Both songs had videos – “Tin Machine” featured in an excerpt from Julien Temple
Julien Temple
Julien Temple is an English film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury.-Temple...
’s promotional film as a mock performance where the fans stormed the stage, leaving Bowie with a nosebleed; and “Maggie’s Farm” was recorded live. Despite this, the double-A side entered the chart at its UK #48 peak.
The live version of Bus Stop (often known as the Country version, or Live Country version) would later appear as a bonus track on 1995 Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
reissue of Tin Machine
Tin Machine (album)
Tin Machine is the debut album of Tin Machine originally released by EMI in 1989. The group was the latest venture of David Bowie, inspired by sessions with guitarist Reeves Gabrels...
.
Track listing
7” version- "Tin Machine" (Bowie, Gabrels, Sales, Sales) – 3:34
- "Maggie's FarmMaggie's Farm"Maggie's Farm" is a song written by Bob Dylan, recorded on January 15, 1965, and released on the album Bringing It All Back Home on March 22 of that year...
(Live)" (Dylan) – 4:29
12” version
- "Tin Machine" (Bowie, Gabrels, Sales, Sales) – 3:34
- "Maggie’s Farm (Live)" (Dylan) – 4:29
- "I Can't ReadI Can't Read"I Can't Read" is a song written by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels for Tin Machine on their debut album in 1989.Bowie recorded a new version of the song in 1997 for the film The Ice Storm. This version was released as a single in Germany and Scandinavia by Velvel Records in December 1997...
(Live)" (Bowie, Gabrels) – 6:13
CD version
- "Tin Machine" (Bowie, Gabrels, Sales, Sales) – 3:34
- "Maggie’s Farm (Live)" (Dylan) – 4:29
- "I Can’t Read (Live)" (Bowie, Gabrels) – 6:13
- "Bus Stop (Live)" (Bowie, Gabrels) – 1:52
Production credits
Producers- Tin MachineTin MachineTin Machine was a hard rock band formed in 1988, famous for being fronted by singer David Bowie. The group recorded two studio albums before dissolving in 1992, when Bowie returned to his solo career...
- Tim PalmerTim PalmerTim Palmer is a British music producer, audio engineer and songwriter of rock and alternative music.-1980-1990:Palmer worked as an assistant engineer at Utopia Studios in London, England in the early 1980s...
Musicians
- David BowieDavid BowieDavid 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...
: Vocals, 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... - Reeves GabrelsReeves GabrelsReeves Gabrels is an American guitarist, known for virtuosity, versatility, and originality. His compositions and improvisations defy genre and "explore sonic extremes with a great, adaptive intuition for what each song needs most."...
: Lead guitar - Hunt SalesHunt SalesHunt Sales is an American rock and roll drummer who has played with Todd Rundgren, his brother Tony Sales, Iggy Pop and Tin Machine.- Personal life : Hunt Sales is the son of 1950s/60s television comedian Soupy Sales...
: DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals - Tony SalesTony Sales|Tony Fox Sales is an American rock musician. A bass guitarist, Sales and his brother, Hunt Sales, played with Todd Rundgren, Iggy Pop and Tin Machine with David Bowie.-Early life and career:...
: BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Kevin Armstrong: Rhythm guitar