You've Been Around
Encyclopedia
"You've Been Around" is a song written by David Bowie
and Reeves Gabrels
in 1993
for the album Black Tie White Noise
.
Like a few Bowie songs from the 1990s, this piece was originally a song written to be played by Bowie's hard rock band, Tin Machine
to perform live; it was never released on a Tin Machine album. His choice to disband the group to return to a solo career gave him more creative control over his own pieces, and the differences between Tin Machine's version of "You've Been Around" and Bowie's version show a distinct stylistic change and preference. The piece was made more danceworthy, relying more upon the drums and rhythm section than the guitar-based arrangement of the Tin Machine era. Bowie has stated that he personally enjoyed taking Reeves Gabrels' guitar-playing and mixing it deeply into the background instead of having it at the forefront.
Bowie also makes heavy use of a loud, droning noise in the beginning in order to create a sense of ambiguity, so that the song only gradually takes form. The piece also makes use of a backup choir, singing in a gospel
style, and features Lester Bowie
taking a trumpet solo.
The lyrics are dark, concerning confusion amongst conflicting feelings of passion, violence, anger, and love. A reference to Bowie's signature song from 1971, Changes
, is made when the narrator notes that his ominous other has changed him, with Bowie reminiscing about "Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-change."
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...
and 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."...
in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
for the album Black Tie White Noise
Black Tie White Noise
Black Tie White Noise is an album by David Bowie. Released in 1993, it was his first solo release in the 1990s after spending time with his hard rock band Tin Machine, retiring his old hits on his Sound+Vision Tour, and marrying supermodel Iman Abdulmajid. This album featured his old guitarist from...
.
Like a few Bowie songs from the 1990s, this piece was originally a song written to be played by Bowie's hard rock band, Tin Machine
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...
to perform live; it was never released on a Tin Machine album. His choice to disband the group to return to a solo career gave him more creative control over his own pieces, and the differences between Tin Machine's version of "You've Been Around" and Bowie's version show a distinct stylistic change and preference. The piece was made more danceworthy, relying more upon the drums and rhythm section than the guitar-based arrangement of the Tin Machine era. Bowie has stated that he personally enjoyed taking Reeves Gabrels' guitar-playing and mixing it deeply into the background instead of having it at the forefront.
Bowie also makes heavy use of a loud, droning noise in the beginning in order to create a sense of ambiguity, so that the song only gradually takes form. The piece also makes use of a backup choir, singing in a gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
style, and features Lester Bowie
Lester Bowie
Lester Bowie was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the AACM, and cofounded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.-Biography:...
taking a trumpet solo.
The lyrics are dark, concerning confusion amongst conflicting feelings of passion, violence, anger, and love. A reference to Bowie's signature song from 1971, Changes
Changes (David Bowie song)
"Changes" is a song by David Bowie, originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and as a single in January 1972. Despite missing the Top 40, "Changes" became one of Bowie's best-known songs. The lyrics are often seen as a manifesto for his chameleonic personality, sexual ambiguity,...
, is made when the narrator notes that his ominous other has changed him, with Bowie reminiscing about "Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-change."
Other releases
- Reeves Gabrels recorded his version of the song for his album The Sacred Squall of Now released in 1995. This version also featured Bowie on lead and harmony vocals. Gary OldmanGary OldmanGary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, voice actor, filmmaker and musician.A member of the 1980s Brit Pack, Oldman came to prominence via starring roles in British films Meantime , Sid and Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears , with his performance in the latter bringing him his first BAFTA Award...
can be heard singing lead on the second verse. Some sources state that this is the original version of the song and that Bowie's version on BTWN is a reworking. - A remixed version of the song, Danger remix, remixed by Jack DangersJack DangersJack Dangers is an electronic musician, DJ, producer, and remixer best known for his work as the primary member of Meat Beat Manifesto. He lives in San Francisco.-Career:...
of Meat Beat ManifestoMeat Beat ManifestoMeat Beat Manifesto, often shortened to Meat Beat or MBM, is an electronic music group originally consisting of Jack Dangers and Jonny Stephens formed in 1987 in Swindon, UK...
fame, was released on the single "Black Tie White NoiseBlack Tie White Noise (song)"Black Tie White Noise" is the title track from David Bowie's 1993 album. Featuring guest vocals by Al B. Sure!, it was released as a second single from the album in June 1993....
" and later on the bonus disc following the 10th anniversary edition of Black Tie White Noise.