Modern Love (song)

"Modern Love"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Let's Dance
B-side"Modern Love (Live)"
Released12 September 1983 (1983-09-12)
RecordedDecember 1982
StudioPower Station, New York City
Genre
Length4:46 (album version)
3:56 (single version)
LabelEMI America
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)
David Bowie singles chronology
"China Girl"
(1983)
"Modern Love"
(1983)
"Without You"
(1983)
Music video
"Modern Love" on YouTube

"Modern Love" is a song written by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie. It was released as the opening track on his 1983 album Let's Dance and issued as the third single from the album later in the year. Co-produced by Bowie and Nile Rodgers of the American band Chic, it is a rock song that contains elements of new wave music. It was recorded at the Power Station in Manhattan and was one of the first tracks recorded for the album. It was performed by Bowie on the Serious Moonlight Tour, where it often closed the shows. A music video for the song, directed by Jim Yukich and featuring a performance of the song during the tour, was released in 1983 and played frequently on MTV.

Since its release, "Modern Love" has received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised Bowie's songwriting, its production, and its power as an opening track. It is generally considered one of the best songs on Let's Dance, along with "China Girl" and the title track, and has since been called one of Bowie's greatest songs. The single release was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Modern Love" has appeared on various compilation albums and was remastered for the 2018 box set Loving the Alien (1983–1988).

  1. ^ "David Bowie: Album guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (19 January 2021). "These Are the Good Times Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
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  4. ^ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "1985: What the Fuck is Going On?". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 600. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.