A new David Bowie box set has been announced this week, with the collection titled Loving The Alien due out on October 12th via Parlophone. Loving The Alien, named after the track off 1984’s Tonight, will catalog Bowie’s career in the mid-80s, with the collection spanning the years 1983 to 1988.

Featuring studio albums, live LPs, and more, the boxset contains three of Bowie’s studio albums—Let’s Dance (1983), Tonight (1984), and Never Let Me Down (1987)—in addition to live albums Serious Moonlight (Live ’83) and Glass Spider (Live Montreal ’87), both of which will be getting the vinyl treatment for the first time ever, and the new remix compilation album Dance. Exclusive to the set is a special compilation called Re:Call 4, which features select outtakes, rarities, B-sides, and demos from the era, plus songs from the Labyrinth, Absolute Beginners, Falcon and the Snowman, and When the Wind Blows soundtracks, and an accompanying book that contains unpublished photos and collected reviews and technical notes from producers/engineers Nile Rodgers, Hugh Padgham, Mario McNulty, and Justin Shirley-Smith.

Notably, Loving The Alien features a brand-new production of 1987’s Never Let Me Down, an album that Bowie always wanted to re-record and that he called “a bitter disappointment.” This new take on Never Let Me Down was produced by Mario McNulty, arranged on strings by Nico Muhly, and features Laurie Anderson for a guest cameo on “Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)”. For 2018’s Never Let Me Down, McNulty tapped longtime Bowie collaborators guitarist Reeves Gabriel, drummer Sterling Campbell, and bassist Tim Lefebvre to assist in the production.

As Parlaphone, the record company that is releasing Loving The Alien in October, noted in a press release, “The seeds of this new reimagining of the albums were first sown in 2008 when Bowie asked McNulty to remix the track ‘Time Will Crawl’ and record new drums by longtime Bowie drummer Sterling Campbell along with strings. … The track was issued on the iSelect compilation to much acclaim and, in the notes for that record, David remarked ‘Oh, to redo the rest of that album.'”

Loving The Alien is part of a series of era-themed David Bowie retrospective box sets, which have steadily been released since Bowie’s untimely death in 2016. Thus far, releases have cataloged 1969 to 1973 with Five Years, 1974 to 1976 with Who Can I Be Now?, and 1977 to 1982 with A New Career In A New Town.

For more information, head to David Bowie’s website here.

 


David Bowie ‘LOVING THE ALIEN (1983-1988)’ Boxset Track Listing

LP Box Set:

88 Page hardback book

Let’s Dance (remastered) (1LP)

Serious Moonlight (Live ’83) (previously unreleased) (2LP)*

Tonight (remastered) (1LP)

Never Let Me Down (remastered) (1LP)

Never Let Me Down (2018) (previously unreleased) (2LP – side 4 is etched)*

Glass Spider (Live Montreal ’87) (previously unreleased on vinyl) (3LP)*

Dance (2LP)*

Re:Call 4 (non-album singles, edits, single versions, b-sides and soundtrack music) (remastered) (3LP)*

* Exclusive to ‘Loving The Alien (1983-1988) LP box’

 

CD Box Set:

128 Page hardback book

Let’s Dance (remastered) (1CD)

Serious Moonlight (Live ’83) (previously unreleased) (2CD)

Tonight (remastered) (1CD)

Never Let Me Down (remastered) (1CD)

Never Let Me Down 2018 (previously unreleased) (1CD)*

Glass Spider (Live Montreal ’87) (2CD)

Dance (1CD)*

Re:Call 4 (non-album singles, edits, single versions, b-sides and soundtrack music) (remastered) (2CD)*

* Exclusive to ‘Loving The Alien (1983-1988)’

 

Digital download standard:

Let’s Dance (remaster)

Serious Moonlight (Live ’83) (previously unreleased)

Tonight (remaster)

Never Let Me Down (remaster)

Never Let Me Down 2018 (previously unreleased)*

Glass Spider (Live Montreal ’87)

Dance*

Re:Call 4 (non-album singles, single versions, b-sides and soundtrack music) (remastered)*

* Set exclusives

 

‘LOVING THE ALIEN (1983-1988)’ Vinyl & CD Tracklistings (showing Vinyl side breaks)

LET’S DANCE

Side 1

Modern Love

China Girl

Let’s Dance

Without You

Side 2

Ricochet

Criminal World

Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

Shake It

 

SERIOUS MOONLIGHT (LIVE ’83)

Side 1

Look Back In Anger

“Heroes”

What In The World

Golden Years

Fashion

Let’s Dance

Side 2

Breaking Glass

Life On Mars?

Sorrow

Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

China Girl

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

Rebel Rebel

Side 3

White Light/White Heat

Station To Station

Cracked Actor

Ashes To Ashes

Side 4

Space Oddity/Band Introduction

Young Americans

Fame

Modern Love

 

TONIGHT

Side 1

Loving The Alien

Don’t Look Down

God Only Knows

Tonight

Side 2

Neighborhood Threat

Blue Jean

Tumble And Twirl

I Keep Forgettin’

Dancing With The Big Boys

 

NEVER LET ME DOWN

Side 1

Day-In Day-Out

Time Will Crawl

Beat Of Your Drum

Never Let Me Down

Zeroes

Side 2

Glass Spider

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)

New York’s In Love

’87 And Cry

Bang Bang

 

NEVER LET ME DOWN (2018)

Side 1

Day-In Day-Out

Time Will Crawl

Beat Of Your Drum

Side 2

Never Let Me Down

Zeroes

Glass Spider

Side 3

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (ft Laurie Anderson)

New York’s In Love

87 & Cry

Bang Bang

Side 4

David Bowie 1987 logo etching

 

GLASS SPIDER (LIVE MONTREAL ’87)

Side 1

Up The Hill Backwards

Glass Spider

Day-In Day-Out

Bang Bang

Side 2

Absolute Beginners

Loving The Alien

China Girl

Rebel Rebel

Side 3

Fashion

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

All The Madmen

Never Let Me Down

Side 4

Big Brother

‘87 And Cry

“Heroes”

Sons Of The Silent Age

Time Will Crawl / Band Introduction

Side 5

Young Americans

Beat Of Your Drum

The Jean Genie

Let’s Dance

Side 6

Fame

Time

Blue Jean

Modern Love

 

DANCE

Side 1

1. Shake It (Re-mix aka Long Version)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘China Girl’ 12” single on EMI America 12EA 157 (U.K.) and V-7809 (U.S.) in May, 1983.)

2. Blue Jean (Extended Dance Mix)

(Originally released on 12” single on EMI America 12EA 181 (U.K.) and V-7838 (U.S.) in September, 1984.)

3. Dancing With The Big Boys (Extended Dance Mix)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘Blue Jean’ 12” single alongside an Extended Dub Mix of the same, release details as above.)

Side 2

1. Tonight (Vocal Dance Mix)

(Originally released on 12” single on EMI America 12EA 187 (U.K.) and V-7846 (U.S.) in November, 1984.)

2. Don’t Look Down (Extended Dance Mix)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘Loving The Alien’ (Extended Dance Mix) 12” single alongside the ‘Loving The Alien’ (Extended Dub Mix) on EMI America 12EA 195 (U.K.) and VG-7858 (U.S.) in May, 1985.)

3. Loving The Alien (Extended Dub Mix)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘Loving The Alien’ (Extended Dance Mix) 12” single, release details as above.)

Side 3

1. Tumble And Twirl (Extended Dance Mix)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘Tonight’ 12” single alongside a ‘Tonight’ (Dub Mix), release details as above.)

2. Underground (Extended Dance Mix)

(Originally released on 12” single on EMI America 12EA 216 (U.K.) and V-19210 (U.S.) in June, 1986.)

3. Day-In Day-Out (Groucho Mix)

(Originally released on 12” single on EMI America 12EAX 230 (U.K.) and V-19239 (U.S.) in March, 1987.)

Side 4

1. Time Will Crawl (Dance Crew Mix)

(Originally released on 12” single on EMI America 12EAX 237 (U.K.) in June, 1987.)

2. Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (12” mix)

(Originally released on the ‘Never Let Me Down’ digital E.P. on EMI 0094639278954 in May, 2007.)

3. Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acapella)

(Originally released on the B-side of the ‘Never Let Me Down’ (Extended Dance Mix) 12” single on EMI America 12EA 239 (U.K.) and V-19255 (U.S.) in August, 1987.)

 

RE:CALL 4

Side 1

1. Let’s Dance (single version)

2. China Girl (single version)

3. Modern Love (single version)

4. This Is Not America (The theme from ‘The Falcon And The Snowman’) – David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group

5. Loving The Alien (re-mixed version)

Side 2

1. Don’t Look Down (re-mixed version)

2. Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain mix) – David Bowie and Mick Jagger

3. Absolute Beginners (from Absolute Beginners)

4. That’s Motivation (from Absolute Beginners)

5. Volare (from Absolute Beginners)

Side 3

1. Labyrinth Opening Titles/Underground (from Labyrinth)

2. Magic Dance (from Labyrinth)

3. As The World Falls Down (from Labyrinth)

4. Within You (from Labyrinth)

5. Underground (from Labyrinth)

Side 4

1. When The Wind Blows (single version) (from When The Wind Blows)

2. Day-In Day-Out (single version)

3. Julie

4. Beat Of Your Drum (vinyl album edit)

5. Glass Spider (vinyl album edit)

Side 5

1. Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (vinyl album edit)

2. New York’s In Love (vinyl album edit)

3. ‘87 And Cry (vinyl album edit)

4. Bang Bang (vinyl album edit)

5. Time Will Crawl (single version)

Side 6

1. Girls (extended edit)

2. Never Let Me Down (7” remix edit)

3. Bang Bang (live – promotional mix)

4. Tonight (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie

5. Let’s Dance (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie

 

CD TRACKLISTING

LET’S DANCE

Modern Love

China Girl

Let’s Dance

Without You

Ricochet

Criminal World

Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

Shake It

 

SERIOUS MOONLIGHT (LIVE ’83)

CD1

Look Back In Anger

“Heroes”

What In The World

Golden Years

Fashion

Let’s Dance

Breaking Glass

Life On Mars?

Sorrow

Cat People (Putting Out Fire)

China Girl

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

Rebel Rebel

CD2

White Light / White Heat

Station To Station

Cracked Actor

Ashes To Ashes

Space Oddity/Band Introduction

Young Americans

Fame

Modern Love

 

TONIGHT

Loving The Alien

Don’t Look Down

God Only Knows

Tonight

Neighborhood Threat

Blue Jean

Tumble And Twirl

I Keep Forgettin’

Dancing With The Big Boys

 

NEVER LET ME DOWN

Day-In Day-Out

Time Will Crawl

Beat Of Your Drum

Never Let Me Down

Zeroes

Glass Spider

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love)

New York’s In Love

’87 And Cry

Bang Bang

 

NEVER LET ME DOWN (2018)

Day-In Day-Out

Time Will Crawl

Beat Of Your Drum

Never Let Me Down

Zeroes

Glass Spider

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (ft Laurie Anderson)

New York’s In Love

’87 And Cry

Bang Bang

 

GLASS SPIDER (LIVE MONTREAL ’87)

CD 1

Up The Hill Backwards

Glass Spider

Day-In Day-Out

Bang Bang

Absolute Beginners

Loving The Alien

China Girl

Rebel Rebel

Fashion

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

All The Madmen

Never Let Me Down

CD 2

Big Brother

‘87 And Cry

“Heroes”

Sons Of The Silent Age

Time Will Crawl / Band Introduction

Young Americans

Beat Of Your Drum

The Jean Genie

Let’s Dance

Fame

Time

Blue Jean

Modern Love

 

DANCE

1. Shake It (Re-mix aka Long Version)

2. Blue Jean (Extended Dance Mix)

3. Dancing With The Big Boys (Extended Dance Mix)

4. Tonight (Vocal Dance Mix)

5. Don’t Look Down (Extended Dance Mix)

6. Loving The Alien (Extended Dub Mix)

7. Tumble And Twirl (Extended Dance Mix)

8. Underground (Extended Dance Mix)

9. Day-In Day-Out (Groucho Mix)

10.Time Will Crawl (Dance Crew Mix)

11.Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (12” mix)

12.Never Let Me Down (Dub/Acapella)

 

RE:CALL 4

CD 1

Let’s Dance (single version)

China Girl (single version)

Modern Love (single version)

This Is Not America (The theme from ‘The Falcon And The Snowman’) – David Bowie / Pat Metheny Group

Loving The Alien (re-mixed version)

Don’t Look Down (re-mixed version)

Dancing In The Street (Clearmountain mix) – David Bowie and Mick Jagger

Absolute Beginners (from Absolute Beginners)

That’s Motivation (from Absolute Beginners)

Volare (from Absolute Beginners)

Labyrinth Opening Titles/Underground (from Labyrinth)

Magic Dance (from Labyrinth)

As The World Falls Down (from Labyrinth)

Within You (from Labyrinth)

Underground (from Labyrinth)

CD 2

When The Wind Blows (single version) (from When The Wind Blows)

Day-In Day-Out (single version)

Julie

Beat Of Your Drum (vinyl album edit)

Glass Spider (vinyl album edit)

Shining Star (Makin’ My Love) (vinyl album edit)

New York’s In Love (vinyl album edit)

‘87 And Cry (vinyl album edit)

Bang Bang (vinyl album edit)

Time Will Crawl (single version)

Girls (extended edit)

Never Let Me Down (7” remix edit)

Bang Bang (live – promotional mix)

Tonight (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie

Let’s Dance (live) Tina Turner with David Bowie

View All Tracks