Baby Universal

"Baby Universal" is a song by Tin Machine, released as the second single from their Tin Machine II album in October 1991.

"Baby Universal"
Single by Tin Machine
from the album Tin Machine II
ReleasedOctober 1991
RecordedSydney September–November 1989; April 1990; September–October 1990; Los Angeles, March 1991
August 1996 (Earthling re-recorded version)
GenreRock
Length3:07
LabelLondon
LON 310
Songwriter(s)David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels
Producer(s)Tin Machine, Tim Palmer
Tin Machine singles chronology
"You Belong in Rock n' Roll"
(1991)		 "Baby Universal"
(1991)		 "One Shot"
(1991)

Background and recording

David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels originally recorded a demo of "Baby Universal" in 1988, prior to the actual formation of the band Tin Machine, but it was shelved for the first album after producer Tim Palmer suggested it might be "too catchy" for the first album.[1]

The single release was backed with tracks recorded at the band's BBC session recorded for Mark Goodier's radio show on 13 August 1991, and a live appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops.[2]

Bowie re-recorded this track in 1996 for his 1997 album Earthling, but the track was not released on the album,[3] instead eventually being released in 2020 as part of the EP Is it Any Wonder?[4]

Track listing
7" version
  1. "Baby Universal" (David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels) – 3:07
  2. "You Belong in Rock 'n' Roll" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 6:32
12" version
  1. "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 5:49
  2. "A Big Hurt (BBC version)" (Bowie) – 3:33
  3. "Baby Universal" (BBC version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:12
CD version
  1. "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:07
  2. "Stateside" (BBC version) (Hunt Sales) – 6:35
  3. "If There Is Something" (BBC version) (Bryan Ferry) – 3:25
  4. "Heaven's in Here" (BBC version) (Bowie) – 6:41
  • A "special edition" version of the CD single was released in a tin can container
Japan CD version
  1. "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:07
  2. "Amlapura" (Indonesian version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:53
  3. "Shakin' All Over" (live) (Kidd) – 2:49
  4. "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 5:49
US promo CD version
  1. "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:07
  2. "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 5:49
  3. "Baby Universal" (BBC version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 3:12
  4. "Stateside" (BBC version) (Sales) – 6:35

Live performances

"Baby Universal" was performed live by Tin Machine during their 1991-92 "It's My Life Tour," and by Bowie during his 1996 "Outside Summer Festivals Tour." A recording from the "It's My Life Tour" appears on the live video release of Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby (1992).

Credits and personnel

Producers

Musicians

Chart performance
Chart (1991) Position
US Billboard Alternative Songs[5] 30
US Mainstream Rock Tracks[6] 21

References
  1. O'Leary, Chris (2019). Ashes to Ashes The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016. Repeater Books. ISBN 9781912248308.
  2. Pegg, Nicholas (October 2016). "The Complete David Bowie New Edition: Expanded and Updated". Titan Books.
  3. Haefeli, Mark (1996). "Music Video Shoot [Archived]". Archived from the original on 25 April 2005. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  4. Bowie, David (30 January 2020). "Baby Universal '97" (Video). YouTub. Parlophone/ISO. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  5. https://www.billboard.com/music/tin-machine/chart-history/alternative-songs
  6. http://allmusic.com/album/tin-machine-ii-r20239/charts-awards,AllMusic.com
  • Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5
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