The Width of a Circle

"The Width of a Circle" is a song written by David Bowie in 1969 for the album The Man Who Sold the World, recorded in Spring 1970 and released later that year in the United States and in April 1971 in the UK. It is the opening track to the album, a hard rocker with heavy metal overtones. Bowie had performed a shorter version of the song in concerts for several months before recording it.

For the geometric definition, see diameter.
"The Width of a Circle"
Song by David Bowie
from the album The Man Who Sold the World
ReleasedNovember 4, 1970 (US)
April 1971 (UK)
Recorded18 April – 22 May 1970
StudioTrident and Advision, London
Genre
Length8:05
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)David Bowie
Producer(s)Tony Visconti

Featuring Mick Ronson's lead guitar work and occasional choral effects from the band, this 8-minute song is divided into two parts. The music takes on a heavy R&B quality in the second half, where the narrator enjoys a sexual encounter – with God, the Devil or some other supernatural being, according to different interpretations – in the depths of Hell.[1][2][3]

Some sources claim that the song was released as a single by RCA in Eastern Europe, with "Cygnet Committee" from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity on the B-side. However, this 'Russian' single was pressed by a fan and therefore is unofficial.

Live versions

Several live versions of the song have been released:

  • A 10-minute, 43-second version recorded at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, on 20 October 1972, has been released on Santa Monica '72 and Live Santa Monica '72.
  • A 14-minute version recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on 3 July 1973 was released on Ziggy Stardust – The Motion Picture in edited form in 1983, the complete performance being issued on the 30th Anniversary 2CD Special Edition in 2003. The additional length, featuring an extended instrumental break by Mick Ronson and the band, allowed for Bowie's costume change, a common occurrence during the Ziggy Stardust tours.[4]
  • A version from Bowie's 1974 North American tour was released on David Live in 1974.
  • A version recorded with the Tony Visconti Trio (aka The Hype) on The Sunday Show introduced by John Peel, on February 5, 1970, was released on Bowie at the Beeb in 2000.

Other releases

The song appeared on the Japanese compilation The Best of David Bowie in 1974.

Cover versions

Personnel

Notes
  1. David Buckley (1999). Strange Fascination — David Bowie: The Definitive Story: p.101
  2. Martin Aston (2007). "Scary Monster", MOJO 60 Years of Bowie: pp.24-25
  3. Roy Carr & Charles Shaar Murray (1981). Bowie: An Illustrated Record: p.38
  4. Nicholas Pegg (2000). The Complete David Bowie: pp.238-239

References
  • Pegg, Nicholas, The Complete David Bowie, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2000, ISBN 1-903111-14-5
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