bowiedownunder.com
The David Bowie Community of Australia and New Zealand

About the siteAustralia and NZ Release HistoryBowie Tours and Visits to Down UnderRelated Works and PerformersVisit our facebook pageReturn to home page

1977 - "Low" (AUS/NZ)
1. Speed Of Life
2. Breaking Glass
3. What In The World
4. Sound and Vision
5. Always Crashing In The Same Car
6. Be My Wife
7. A New Career In A New Town
8. Warszawa
9. Art Decade
10. Weeping Wall
11. Subterraneans



Low was a further shift from mainstream music and is often regarded as a poor seller. But if charts are any indication (and they are), the album didn't fare all too badly in Australia (#10) and New Zealand (#12) but then it also did reasonably well in the UK (#2) and the US (#11).

Country Released Chart Entry Chart HP (WI)
UK Jan 29, 1977   2 (18)
US Jan 29, 1977   11 (19)
AUS   Feb 14, 1977 10 (17)
NZ   Mar 18, 1977 12 (15)


Sound And Vision



Both singles from Low mirrored the actual album - maintaining a vocal track on the front side with an instrumental on the reverse.

'Sound And Vision' was released in February, hitting AUS #74 and staying a total of 10 weeks on chart. Across the ditch, the single did much better hitting NZ #7 and staying 19 weeks on chart.



Australian 7" issue of 'Sound And Vision' backed by 'A New Career in a New Town'.


Be My Wife


'Be My Wife' was the second single. Released in June, this appears to have missed the charts completely.



Australian 7" issue of 'Be My Wife' backed by 'Speed of Life'. First issued on an orange label (as shown) then followed with a khaki label.



Iggy Pop


Unlike overseas, Iggy Pop's commercial success in Australia seems to be less hinged on his works with Bowie and more to that of his own local touring and reputation.

The point is highlighted by Iggy's highest charting album of the 70s actually being 1979's New Values (AUS #36 and sustaining 12 weeks on chart) which was supported by a local tour. In comparison, the earlier Bowie produced and co-written albums did not fair as well - The Idiot (1 week on chart at AUS #88), TV Eye (2 weeks on AUS chart with a hit position of #89) and Lust For Life (did not chart).




Interact





Continue to NEXT page

Return to Release History Index