When the Wind Blows (song)

Infobox Single
Name = When the Wind Blows


Caption =
Artist = David Bowie
from Album = When the Wind Blows
A-side =
B-side = "When the Wind Blows (Instrumental)"
Released = June 1986
Format = 7"/12" single
Recorded = 1986
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:32
Label = Virgin
VS 906
Writer =
Producer = David Bowie, Dave Richards
Certification =
Chart position =
* #44 (UK)
Last single = "Magic Dance"
1986
This single = "When the Wind Blows"
1986
Next single = "Day-In Day-Out"
1987
Misc = "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 would peak 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, only appearing as a bonus track on the 1995 reissue of "Never Let Me Down" and on some editions of "Best of Bowie" in Europe.

Unlike most instrumental B-sides from the 80's, the instrumental version of "When the Wind Blows" is not simply a version of the song with vocals dubbed, but a completely different recording.

Track listing

All songs written by David Bowie, Erdal Kizilcay

7": Virgin / VS 906 (UK)

# "When the Wind Blows" – 3:32
# "When the Wind Blows (Instrumental)" – 3:52

12": Virgin / VS 906-12 (UK)

# "When the Wind Blows (Extended Mix)" – 5:46
# "When the Wind Blows (Instrumental)" – 3:52

Production credits

* Producers:
** David Bowie
** Dave Richards

* Musicians:
**David Bowie – Vocals
**Erdal Kizilcay

References

Pegg, Nicholas, "The Complete David Bowie", Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5