"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the American 1992 animated black comedy fantasy film Cool World. It is performed by British singer-songwriter David Bowie, and was released on 10 August 1992, representing his first new solo material since the dissolution of the band Tin Machine.
| "Real Cool World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by David Bowie | ||||
| from the album Songs from the Cool World | ||||
| A-side | "Real Cool World" (Edit) | |||
| B-side | "Real Cool World" (Instrumental) | |||
| Released | 10 August 1992 | |||
| Recorded | June/July 1992 | |||
| Studio | 38 Fresh (original writing & recording), Los Angeles; Mountain Studios, Montreux; Hit Factory, New York City | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 4:15 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. W0127 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | David Bowie | |||
| Producer(s) | Nile Rodgers | |||
| David Bowie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Song development
editThe track marked a reunion with Let's Dance producer Nile Rodgers, with whom Bowie began working in the first half of 1992. "Real Cool World" was the first song to come out of their year-long collaboration.[1] After releasing this song, Bowie intended to go back to his band Tin Machine to record a third album,[2] but when the band fell apart, Bowie and Rodgers instead recorded and produced the songs for Bowie's next solo album, Black Tie White Noise (1993).[1][3] The song was included in the soundtrack to the film Cool World (1992).[3]
Other releases
editThe song was included as a bonus track of the 2003 re-release of Black Tie White Noise, and a digital download version of the single was announced released in June 2010.[3]
Critical reception
editA reviewer from Melody Maker wrote, "'Real Cool World' sees Bowie re-united with Nile Rodgers. The strings are pretty cool and the saxophone which suddenly pops up in the home straight is wonderfully sleazy. Sadly, the quick pace of the track is a bit too much for the Thin White Duke to handle. He sounds dreadfully tired, dreadfully old."[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks written by David Bowie.
- 12": Warner Bros. / W0127 (UK)
- "Real Cool World" (Edit) – 4:15
- "Real Cool World" (Instrumental) – 4:29
- 12": Warner Bros. / W0127T (UK)
- "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) – 5:28
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #2) – 6:54
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #1) – 7:28
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:10
- 12": Warner Bros. / W0127CD (UK)
- "Real Cool World" (Album Edit) – 4:15
- "Real Cool World" (Radio Remix) – 4:23
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #1) – 7:28
- "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) – 5:28
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:10
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #2) – 6:54
- Digital download: EMI
- "Real Cool World" (Album Edit) – 4:16
- "Real Cool World" (Radio Remix) – 4:24
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing 1) – 7:29
- "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) – 5:30
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:12
- "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing 2) – 6:56
Personnel
edit- Producers:
- Musicians:
- David Bowie – vocals, saxophone
- Nile Rodgers – guitar
- Richard Hilton – keyboards
- Barry Campbell – bass guitar
- Sterling Campbell – drums
Charts
edit| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[5] | 131 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[6] | 30 |
| Germany (GfK)[7] | 83 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] | 21 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] | 27 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] | 26 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 53 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 11 |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[13] | 9 |
References
edit- ^ a b O'Leary 2019, p. 334.
- ^ Wild, David (21 January 1993), "Bowie's Wedding Album", Rolling Stone, p. 14
- ^ a b c Pegg 2016, p. 219.
- ^ "Singles". Melody Maker. 15 August 1992. p. 27. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 14 September 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
- ^ "David Bowie – Real Cool World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "David Bowie – Real Cool World" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – David Bowie" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ "David Bowie – Real Cool World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "David Bowie – Real Cool World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "David Bowie Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "David Bowie Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- Pegg, Nicholas (2016). The Complete David Bowie (revised and updated ed.). London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0.
- O'Leary, Chris (2019). Ashes to Ashes The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016. Repeater Books. ISBN 978-1-912248-30-8.