David Bowie - The Laughing Gnome

1967 DERAM pressing with The Gospel According to Tony Day on the flip. Great condition

Year Released: 1967

Genre: Novelty, Music Hall, Pop

Description:

"The Laughing Gnome" is a single by David Bowie, released in the UK on April 14, 1967. This 7-inch record is a fascinating snapshot of Bowie's early career and the musical direction he was exploring at the time, which was heavily influenced by British music hall traditions and the whimsical style of Anthony Newley. The A-side, "The Laughing Gnome," is a novelty song featuring a jaunty melody and a memorable, sped-up "gnome" voice created by recording Bowie's own vocals at a slower speed.

The B-side, "The Gospel According To Tony Day," offers a different, though still lighthearted, glimpse into Bowie's songwriting. It's a slightly more earnest, folk-inflected track with a bluesy feel. Both songs were written and produced by Bowie, with producer Mike Vernon overseeing the sessions. This single was recorded during the same period as Bowie's debut self-titled album and shares its innocent, theatrical charm, but it was released separately as a non-album single.

Upon its initial release, the single was a commercial failure and did not chart. However, "The Laughing Gnome" would have a curious second life in 1973. Riding the wave of Bowie's global stardom as Ziggy Stardust, his former label, Deram, reissued the single to capitalize on his newfound fame. This time, the song became a surprise hit, reaching number six on the UK singles chart and becoming a testament to the public's fascination with their new icon. The re-release's success was a source of great amusement and some frustration for Bowie, who had long since moved on to more serious, artistic work. The single remains a quirky but significant footnote in his monumental career.