Bowi
Encyclopedia
Bowi was the first EP
released on Stiff Records
. Recorded by Nick Lowe
, who had also released the first Stiff single, the title and cover were a humorous response to the David Bowie
album Low, released earlier in the year. Lowe decided that as Bowie had made an album with his name, but without the final e, he would make a record with Bowie's name, also lacking the final e.
Of the four tracks on the EP, only "Marie Provost" initially appeared on an album, 1978s Jesus of Cool
(issued as Pure Pop for Now People in the US) although all four tracks appear on the 2008 deluxe re-release edition of Jesus of Cool.
The opening track "Born A Woman", written by Martha Sharp, had previously been performed by Sandy Posey
"as a lament about the world's cruelty and inequality", whereas Lowe sings it with glee, unclear if he is "decrying the information he's sharing or reveling in it."
"Marie Provost" was written about the death of silent screen star Marie Prevost
whose body was discovered several days after she had died, alone and penniless in her New York apartment, a death Lowe describes as “a doggie’s dinner” for her dachshund. In contrast to the sad content of the lyrics, the melody is deliberately "bouncy ... with chiming guitars" emphasisiing the transitory nature of fame.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
released on Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
. Recorded by Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, who had also released the first Stiff single, the title and cover were a humorous response to the David Bowie
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...
album Low, released earlier in the year. Lowe decided that as Bowie had made an album with his name, but without the final e, he would make a record with Bowie's name, also lacking the final e.
Of the four tracks on the EP, only "Marie Provost" initially appeared on an album, 1978s Jesus of Cool
Jesus of Cool
Jesus of Cool is the 1978 solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe who left Brinsley Schwarz in 1974. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 by Radar Records in the UK...
(issued as Pure Pop for Now People in the US) although all four tracks appear on the 2008 deluxe re-release edition of Jesus of Cool.
The opening track "Born A Woman", written by Martha Sharp, had previously been performed by Sandy Posey
Sandy Posey
Sandy Posey is an American popular singer, who enjoyed success in the 1960s with singles such as her 1966 recording of Martha Sharpe's composition, "Single Girl." She is often described as a country singer, although, like Skeeter Davis her output has varied...
"as a lament about the world's cruelty and inequality", whereas Lowe sings it with glee, unclear if he is "decrying the information he's sharing or reveling in it."
"Marie Provost" was written about the death of silent screen star Marie Prevost
Marie Prevost
Marie Prevost was a Canadian-born actress of the early days of cinema. During her twenty year career, she made 121 silent and talking pictures.-Early life:...
whose body was discovered several days after she had died, alone and penniless in her New York apartment, a death Lowe describes as “a doggie’s dinner” for her dachshund. In contrast to the sad content of the lyrics, the melody is deliberately "bouncy ... with chiming guitars" emphasisiing the transitory nature of fame.
Track listing
All songs written by Nick Lowe, except "Born A Woman" by Martha Sharpe.- "Born A Woman" (originally performed by Sandy PoseySandy PoseySandy Posey is an American popular singer, who enjoyed success in the 1960s with singles such as her 1966 recording of Martha Sharpe's composition, "Single Girl." She is often described as a country singer, although, like Skeeter Davis her output has varied...
) - "Shake That Rat"
- "Marie Provost"
- "Endless Sleep"