Fashion (David Bowie song)

"Fashion"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
B-side"Scream Like a Baby"
Released24 October 1980 (1980-10-24)
RecordedFebruary–April 1980
Studio
Genre
Length
  • 3:23 (single)
  • 4:46 (album)
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)
David Bowie singles chronology
"Ashes to Ashes"
(1980)
"Fashion"
(1980)
"Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)"
(1981)
Music video
"Fashion" on YouTube

"Fashion" is a song by the English musician David Bowie from his 14th studio album Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) (1980). Co-produced by Bowie and Tony Visconti and recorded from February to April 1980 at New York and London, it was the last song completed for the album. Originating as a reggae parody titled "Jamaica", "Fashion" is a post-punk, dance and funk track structurally similar to Bowie's "Golden Years". King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp contributed lead guitar.

Lyrically, "Fashion" acts as both a celebration of fashion trends and Bowie's critique of the individuals who mandate strict observance to those trends, who are labelled fascists and the "goon squad". Its accompanying music video, directed by David Mallet, reflects the lyrical themes, depicting Bowie and his musicians as street thugs interspersed with shots of dancers rehearsing and a parade of New Romantic individuals. Like "Ashes to Ashes", it was critically praised.

Released by RCA Records in edited form as the second single from the album on 24 October 1980, "Fashion" charted at No. 5 in the UK and No. 70 in the US. Bowie performed the song during his concert tours, which have appeared on live concert videos. In subsequent decades, the song has appeared on lists of Bowie's best songs, on compilation albums and been covered by several artists.


© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search