New Killer Star
Encyclopedia
"New Killer Star" is a song written and performed by David Bowie
in 2003 for his album Reality. This was the first single from the album and released on DVD only, except in Italy and Canada. A famous band from Holland called themselves after this song "new killer stars".
While it is uncertain what the song is really about (like other Bowie songs), the lyrics make oblique reference to life in post-9/11 New York
. However the video clip, directed by Brumby Boylston of National Television, tells a surreal story using lenticular
-postcard like images of a spaceship almost crashing into the modern American heartland.
There's a reference in the lyrics of "Let's Face the Music and Dance
", which says: "There may be trouble ahead/So while there's music and moonlight and love and romance/Let's face the music and dance".
Gerry Leonard uses an EBow to play the repetitive guitar lick all through the song.
The b-side is a cover of Sigue Sigue Sputnik
's "Love Missile F1-11
"
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...
in 2003 for his album Reality. This was the first single from the album and released on DVD only, except in Italy and Canada. A famous band from Holland called themselves after this song "new killer stars".
While it is uncertain what the song is really about (like other Bowie songs), the lyrics make oblique reference to life in post-9/11 New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. However the video clip, directed by Brumby Boylston of National Television, tells a surreal story using lenticular
Lenticular printing
Lenticular printing is a technology in which a lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of depth, or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles...
-postcard like images of a spaceship almost crashing into the modern American heartland.
There's a reference in the lyrics of "Let's Face the Music and Dance
Let's Face the Music and Dance
"Let's Face the Music and Dance" is a song written in 1936 by Irving Berlin for the film Follow the Fleet, where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and featured in a celebrated dance duet with Astaire and Ginger Rogers...
", which says: "There may be trouble ahead/So while there's music and moonlight and love and romance/Let's face the music and dance".
Gerry Leonard uses an EBow to play the repetitive guitar lick all through the song.
The b-side is a cover of Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band created in 1982 by the former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band had three UK Top 40 hit singles, including the song "Love Missile F1-11".-Early years:...
's "Love Missile F1-11
Love Missile F1-11
"Love Missile F1-11" is a song by British synthpop band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in March 1986 as the first single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart...
"
CD: ISO-Columbia / COL 674275 1 (Italy)
- "New Killer Star" - 4:40
- "Love Missile F1-11Love Missile F1-11"Love Missile F1-11" is a song by British synthpop band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in March 1986 as the first single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart...
"
CD: ISO-Columbia / 38K 3445 (Canada)
- "New Killer Star" (Edit) - 3:42
- "Love Missile F1-11Love Missile F1-11"Love Missile F1-11" is a song by British synthpop band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in March 1986 as the first single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart...
"
DVD: ISO/Columbia COL 674275 9 (Austria)
- "New Killer Star (Video version)" - 3:40
- "Reality (Electronic Press Kit)"
- "Love Missile F1-11Love Missile F1-11"Love Missile F1-11" is a song by British synthpop band Sigue Sigue Sputnik released in March 1986 as the first single from their debut album Flaunt It. It was the band's biggest hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart...
"
Production credits
- ProducersRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- David Bowie
- Tony ViscontiTony ViscontiAnthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
- MusicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s:- David Bowie: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Sax, Stylophone and Synthesizer
- Earl SlickEarl SlickEarl Slick is a guitarist best known for his collaborations with David Bowie, Jim Diamond and Robert Smith, although he has also worked with other artists , John Waite, and even released some solo recordings.In the early 1970s, Earl Slick gained his...
: Guitar - Mike GarsonMike GarsonMike Garson is an American pianist, most notable for his work with David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Corgan, Free Flight, and The Smashing Pumpkins.- Early career :...
: Piano - David TornDavid TornDavid Torn is an American composer and guitarist.He is known for the organic blending/manipulation of electronic and acoustic instruments and performance techniques that have an atmospheric or textural quality and effect, along with a particular harmonic richness...
: Guitar - Gail Ann DorseyGail Ann DorseyGail Ann Dorsey is an American musician considered one of the premier bass guitarists and vocalists within the alternative rock scene. With a distinguished career as a session musician, it has been most notably her long association performing in David Bowie's band, from 1995 to the present day,...
: Background vocals - Sterling CampbellSterling CampbellSterling Campbell in New York City, New York, is an American rock drummer who has worked with numerous high-profile acts. He rose to attention in 1986, touring with Cyndi Lauper on her her True Colors World Tour, in 1986, and in 1987, joined Duran Duran...
: Drums - Catherine RussellCatherine RussellCatherine Russell is a British stage, television and screen actress.-Personal:Catherine Russell is the daughter of actor Nicholas Smith and his wife Mary. She is married to film producer Richard Holmes and they have two children, Sam and Poppy...
: Background vocals - Tony ViscontiTony ViscontiAnthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
: Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, - Gerry Leonard: Guitar