A New Career in a New Town

"A New Career in a New Town"
Song

"A New Career in a New Town" is an instrumental piece by David Bowie, recorded for his 1977 album Low.

The piece, which has no lyrics, is still autobiographical, like many of Bowie's other pieces on this album. The title, "A New Career in a New Town," reflects Bowie's move from the USA to Europe. Despite a distant tone, the upbeat nature of the piece presents a sort of optimism in having a chance to start over.

This song serves as the part of the "binding" for the A-side of Low, which starts with a similarly upbeat instrumental, "Speed of Life". The song relies heavily on Brian Eno's synthesizer collection and techniques. At the far front of the piece is Bowie's harmonica solo, which echoes over the rest of the song and provides a contrast between its acoustic purity and the heavily electrified band. In fact, considering the use of the Harmonizer on Dennis Davis' drum set and the heavy amplification of the other acoustic instruments, the harmonica is the most undoctored instrument on the recording.

Live versions

No official released live versions of this recording exist, although it was often used in the Reality Tour in 2003 as a pre-recorded live video intro while David Bowie and his band were walking on stage

Personnel

• David Bowie: Harmonica, Piano
• Brian Eno: Synthesizers, Piano
• Ricky Gardiner: Lead Guitar
• Carlos Alomar: Rhythm Guitar
• George Murray: Bass Guitar
• Dennis Davis: Drums

Other releases

• It was released as the B-side of the single "Sound and Vision" in February 1977.
• It was released as picture discs in the RCA Life Time picture disc set and Fashions Picture Disc Set
• It was included on Back to Mine Volume 24 – Mercury Rev (2006)

Cover versions

• Don't Analyze - Loving the Alien: Athens Georgia Salutes David Bowie (1998)
• Joakim & the Disco - Life Beyond Mars: Bowie Covered (2008)