Originally released on September 1st 1972 on RCA, David Bowie’s ‘John, I’m Only Dancing’ reached number 12 on the UK charts, though it failed to appear on any of his studio albums. Now, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the track is to get a re-release in the form of a limited edition 7" picture disc. Recorded too late to be included on The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars it was considered as a track for Aladdin Sane but in the end failed to make the cut.
Meanwhile in the US, the single failed to secure a release as both the lyrics and title were considered far too risqué for the market. The track has often been interpreted as a gay tease, with the narrator informing his boyfriend not to worry because he’s "only dancing" with a girl. While the UK market was less hostile to the release, the Mick Rock directed promo video for the track was nevertheless banned by the BBC, who refused to air the clip, featuring a troupe of androgynous dancers, on Top of the Pops. In fact in the end the Beeb still broadcasted the track, though bizarrely they replaced its intended promo video with a clip of some butch bikers at a gas works.
The ‘John, I’m Only Dancing’ 40th anniversary 7” picture disc will be available from September 3rd on EMI.
