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Baby Universal
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Wikipedia article
"'Baby Universal'" is a song by Tin Machine, released as the second single from their 'Tin Machine II' album in October 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.
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'.
Bowie re-recorded "Baby Universal" in 1996 for his 1997 album 'Earthling', but it was not released on the album, instead eventually being released in 2020 as part of the EP 'Is it Any Wonder?'.
Track listing
;7" version
# "Baby Universal" (David Bowie, Reeves Gabrels) 3:07
# "You Belong in Rock 'n' Roll" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 6:32
;12" version
# "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 5:49
# "A Big Hurt (BBC version)" (Bowie) 3:33
# "Baby Universal" (BBC version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:12
;CD version
# "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:07
# "Stateside" (BBC version) (Hunt Sales) 6:35
# "If There Is Something" (BBC version) (Bryan Ferry) 3:25
# "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
# "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:07
# "Amlapura" (Indonesian version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:53
# "Shakin' All Over" (live) (Kidd) 2:49
# "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 5:49
;US promo CD version
# "Baby Universal" (7" version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:07
# "Baby Universal" (Extended version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 5:49
# "Baby Universal" (BBC version) (Bowie, Gabrels) 3:12
# "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'
* Tin Machine
* Tim Palmer
'Musicians'
* David Bowie vocals, guitar
* Reeves Gabrels lead guitar
* Hunt Sales drums, vocals
* Tony Sales bass, vocals
* Kevin Armstrong rhythm guitar
Chart performance
{| class="wikitable"
!Chart (1991)
!Position
|-
|US 'Billboard' Alternative Songs
|align="center"|30
|-
|US Mainstream Rock Tracks
|align="center"|21
|}
References
*Pegg, Nicholas, 'The Complete David Bowie', Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000,
Category:1991 singles
Category:Tin Machine songs
Category:1991 songs
Category:Songs written by David Bowie
Category:Songs written by Reeves Gabrels
Category:London Records singles
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