Rare (David Bowie album)

Rare
Compilation album by
David Bowie
ReleasedDecember 1982
Recorded1969–1980
GenreRock
Length42:02
LabelRCA
David Bowie chronology
Baal
(1982) 		Rare
(1982) 		Let's Dance
(1983)
David Bowie compilation chronology
Changestwobowie
(1981) 		Rare
(1982) 		Golden Years
(1983)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
Smash Hits6½/10[3]

Rare (often referred to as Bowie Rare) is a compilation album by the English musician David Bowie, released by RCA Records in December 1982. The artist's relations with the company were at a low[citation needed] – Bowie had recorded his last music for RCA Records with the Baal EP, and had been annoyed by the release of a five-year-old duet with Bing Crosby ("Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy") as a single without his consultation.[citation needed] Bowie informed RCA he was unhappy with the Rare compilation, and would sign with EMI Records for his next album.[citation needed] All tracks on Rare were being issued for the first time on LP and cassette.

The compilation contained rarities recorded between 1969 and 1980. RCA did not issue Rare in the United States; nor was the album reissued on CD along with most of Bowie's other RCA albums in 1984.

On the UK Albums Chart, where it remained for eleven weeks, the album peaked at number 34.[4]

  1. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Rare – David Bowie". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "David Bowie". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. ^ Tennant, Neil (20 January – 2 February 1983). "Albums". Smash Hits. 5 (2): 17.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference UKchart was invoked but never defined (see the help page).