When the Wind Blows (song)
Encyclopedia
"When the Wind Blows" is a song from the soundtrack of the film of the same name, performed by David Bowie
.
It marked the second contribution from Bowie to a film based on a Raymond Briggs
book – he contributed a filmed introduction to The Snowman
in 1982. Bowie's song was the result of a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay
, who would work with Bowie in the future, most notably on The Buddha of Suburbia
.
The single peaked at UK #44, promoted by a video that featured a montage of clips from the film, with Bowie's animated face overlaid. Since then, the song has become something of a rarity, appearing rarely on reissues and best-of compilations.
Unlike most instrumental B-sides from the 1980s, the instrumental version of "When the Wind Blows" is not simply a version of the song with vocals dubbed, but a completely different orchestral recording.
Musicians
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...
.
It marked the second contribution from Bowie to a film based on a Raymond Briggs
Raymond Briggs
Raymond Redvers Briggs is an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, and author who has achieved critical and popular success among adults and children...
book – he contributed a filmed introduction to The Snowman
The Snowman
The Snowman is a children's book by English author Raymond Briggs, published in 1978. In 1982, this book was turned into a 26-minute animated movie by Dianne Jackson for the fledgling Channel 4. It was first shown on Channel 4 late on Christmas Eve in 1982 and was an immediate success. The film was...
in 1982. Bowie's song was the result of a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Erdal Kizilcay
Erdal Kizilcay
Erdal Kizilcay is a multi-instrumental musician of Turkish birth who has worked with, among others, David Bowie. He lives in Aegerten, Switzerland.-With David Bowie:*Never Let Me Down...
, who would work with Bowie in the future, most notably on The Buddha of Suburbia
The Buddha of Suburbia (soundtrack)
The Buddha of Suburbia is a 1993 soundtrack album by David Bowie which accompanied the 4-part television serial The Buddha of Suburbia on BBC2 ....
.
The single peaked at UK #44, promoted by a video that featured a montage of clips from the film, with Bowie's animated face overlaid. Since then, the song has become something of a rarity, appearing rarely on reissues and best-of compilations.
Unlike most instrumental B-sides from the 1980s, the instrumental version of "When the Wind Blows" is not simply a version of the song with vocals dubbed, but a completely different orchestral recording.
7": Virgin / VS 906 (UK) / VSS 906 (UK)
- "When the Wind Blows" – 3:32
- "When the Wind Blows" (Instrumental) – 3:52
- A "Special Limited Edition" 7" shaped picture-disc was also released (VSS 906), containing the same tracks as the regular 7" release. The picture on the front of the picture disc is of Jim and Hilda Bloggs (the main characters from the movie), and the flip-side is a negative of the same image covered by a black and white radioactivity symbolHazard symbolHazard symbols are recognizable symbols designed to warn about hazardous materials or locations. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations...
.
12": Virgin / VS 906-12 (UK)
- "When the Wind Blows" (Extended Mix) – 5:46
- "When the Wind Blows" (Instrumental) – 3:52
Digital Download - 2007 EMI UK (When The Wind Blows EP by David Bowie)
- "When the Wind Blows" (2002 Remaster) – 3:34
- "When the Wind Blows" (Extended Mix) – 5:36
- "When the Wind Blows" (Instrumental) – 3:46
Other releases
The single release has also appeared on the following:- Never Let Me DownNever Let Me DownNever Let Me Down is an album by David Bowie, released in April 1987. Written over a 3-month period and recorded in Switzerland, Bowie regarded the album at the time as a "move back to rock 'n roll music...
(1995 reissue) - Best of BowieBest of BowieBest of Bowie is a career-spanning greatest hits album by multi-platinum recording artist David Bowie. The songs range from his second album to 2002. It was released 35 years after his first album, David Bowie....
(2002) (in some regions) - The Platinum Collection (2005)
- The Best of David Bowie 1980-1987The Best of David Bowie 1980/1987The Best of David Bowie 1980-1987 is a David Bowie compilation album. The CD was originally released by EMI as part of The Platinum Collection in 2005/06. The 2007 release is part of EMI's two-disc Sight & Sound series, each of which features a CD and DVD of material from the same artist...
(2005/2006)
Production credits
Producers- 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...
- Dave RichardsDave RichardsSir Dave Richards is the chairman of the FA Premier League, member of the Football Association 's Board, chairman of the FA's international committee, president of the European Professional Football Leagues organisation, chairman of UEFA's Professional Football Committee and former chairman of...
Musicians
- David Bowie – Vocals
- Erdal KizilcayErdal KizilcayErdal Kizilcay is a multi-instrumental musician of Turkish birth who has worked with, among others, David Bowie. He lives in Aegerten, Switzerland.-With David Bowie:*Never Let Me Down...