Never Let Me Down [Single] (1987)

"Never Let Me Down [Single]", David Bowie (1987)

The general consensus regarding 80s Bowie is simple: His career took a creative nosedive. Following "Let's Dance," the rest of the decade saw the artist meander through all manner of uninspired forays into r&b influenced 80s pap. This single, from 1987's "Never Let Me Down" album, is a clear illustration of that sad dynamic.

The big, synthetic drum sound that characterized a great deal of the decade's music is here, sadly. A monotonous, unrelenting, and downright dull beat pretty much makes the song just plod along aimlessly. What's more, the vocals are delivered at an irritatingly high pitch that will surely leave fans of Bowie the Crooner dismayed. The lyrics are terribly trite as well. The only upside to the song is the sax, which does a good job at adding a bit of sassyness to an otherwise dead tune.

The 12" single here, ripped from a rather dusty slab of vinyl, gives us way too many versions of the limp song. Why am I uploading it? Damned if I know. Here's what you get:

1. Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Remix)
2. Never Let Me Down (7'' Remix Edit)
3. Never Let Me Down (Dub)
4. Never Let Me Down (Acapella)
5. Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)
6. 87 and Cry (Single Version)

All I can say is that "87 and Cry" sort of points towards Bowie's even more tragic Tin Machine venture. But that's another story...


Download (23.01 MB)

In unrelated news, I've added even more links to this page. Frankly, there are people out there with very hip stuff that I simply couldn't manage to ever get (maybe due to my age, geography or $[or lack thereof]). So be on the lookout for new links, since I will be updating them constantly. Go ahead and check them all out... just don't kill your bandwidth or hard drive. Adios!