Real Cool World

"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the film Cool World, performed by David Bowie. Released on 10 August 1992, it represented his first new solo material since the dissolution of the band Tin Machine.

"Real Cool World"
Single by David Bowie
from the album Songs from the Cool World
A-side	"Real Cool World" (Edit)
B-side	"Real Cool World" (Instrumental)
Released	10 August 1992
Recorded	38 Fresh (original recording), Los Angeles; Mountain Studios, Montreux; Hit Factory, New York City, June/July 1992
Genre	Rock
Length	4:15
Label	Warner Bros. W0127
Songwriter(s)	David Bowie
Producer(s)	Nile Rodgers
David Bowie singles chronology
"Fame '90" (1990) "Real Cool World" (1992) "Jump They Say" (1993)

Song development

The track marked a reunion with Let's Dance producer Nile Rodgers, with whom Bowie began working in the first half of 1992. "Real Cool World" was the first song to come out of their year-long collaboration.[1] The rest of the sessions produced the songs for Bowie's next solo album, Black Tie White Noise (1993).[1][2] The song was included in the soundtrack to the film Cool World (1992).[2]

Other releases

The song was included as a bonus track of the 2003 re-release of Black Tie White Noise, and a digital download version of the single was announced released in June 2010.[2]

Track listing

All tracks written by Bowie

12": Warner Bros. / W0127 (UK)

1. "Real Cool World" (Edit) – 4:15
2. "Real Cool World" (Instrumental) – 4:29

12": Warner Bros. / W0127T (UK)

1. "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) – 5:28
2. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #2) – 6:54
3. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #1) – 7:28
4. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:10

12": Warner Bros. / W0127CD (UK)

1. "Real Cool World" (Album Edit) – 4:15
2. "Real Cool World" (Radio Remix) – 4:23
3. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #1) – 7:28
4. "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) - 5:28
5. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:10
6. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing #2) – 6:54

Digital download: EMI

1. "Real Cool World" (Album Edit) – 4:16
2. "Real Cool World" (Radio Remix) – 4:24
3. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing 1) – 7:29
4. "Real Cool World" (12" Club Mix) – 5:30
5. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Overture) – 9:12
6. "Real Cool World" (Cool Dub Thing 2) – 6:56

Credits

• Producers:
  • Nile Rodgers
• Musicians:
  • David Bowie – vocals, saxophone
  • Nile Rodgers – guitar
  • Richard Hilton – keyboards
  • Barry Campbell – bass guitar
  • Sterling Campbell – drums

Chart performance

Chart (1992)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3]	30
Germany (Official German Charts)[4]	83
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[5]	27
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6]	26
UK Singles (OCC)[7]	53

References

1. O'Leary 2019, p. 334.
2. Pegg 2016, p. 219.
3. "Ultratop.be – David Bowie – Real Cool World" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
4. "Offiziellecharts.de – David Bowie – Real Cool World". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
5. "Dutchcharts.nl – David Bowie – Real Cool World" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
6. "Swedishcharts.com – David Bowie – Real Cool World". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
7. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

• Pegg, Nicholas (2016). The Complete David Bowie (revised and updated ed.). London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0.
• O'Leary, Chris (2019). Ashes to Ashes The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016. Repeater Books. ISBN 9781912248308.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics