David Bowie – “1984” (1974) Review | Beware the Savage Lure/Law/Jaw of 1984

Kronomyth 8.2: The times they are a-changing.

Believe it or not, this was never one of my favorite tracks on Diamond Dogs. (Or don’t care, that’s also an option.) I mean, the production is amazing, the lyrics razor sharp, but the music is so relentless it sends me running away from it. I read in a recent article (or listicle or whatever you call AI-generated click bait these days) that “1984” has been ranked the best song about 1984 (the novel). Apparently, it didn’t take AI long to learn to be lazy, so once it learns to lie intentionally the effect will be complete. (I find it funny if a little chilling that we now live in a world where the question of whether AI lies is instantly routed to AI for an answer. Take that, big brother.) Apparently, I wasn’t the only one put off by the song’s negative energy, as “1984” failed to crack the US Top 100. Apparently, Bowie was ahead of his time on both counts. The B side is Queen Bitch, Hunky Dory’s heaviest track. In Japan, ‘Lady Grinning Soul” from Aladdin Sane was selected as the B side. (I’ve read that “1984” was first recorded during the Aladdin Sane sessions, reminding me that I am authority on nothing where Bowie is concerned.) In 1984, RCA chose “1984” and “TVC 15” as the single ambassadors for the 1984 remaster of Bowie’s back catalog.

The Product

A1. 1984 (David Bowie) (3:21)
B1. Queen Bitch (David Bowie) (3:14)

Japanese 7-inch single version
A1. 1984 (David Bowie) (3:24)
B1. Lady Grinning Soul

Digitally remastered 7-/12-inch single version
A1. 1984 (David Bowie) (3:24)
B1. TVC-15 (David Bowie) (5:29)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single in July 1974 in the US (RCA, PB-10026) and Japan (RCA, SS-2404) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1974 in the US (RCA, JH-10026) feat. A mono on flip.

1. Re-issued on remastered 7-inch and 12-inch single in January 1984 in the US and Canada (RCA, PB-13769/PD-13770).