The Next Day cover art

  Studio Album · No. 25

The Next Day Songwriting Credits by David Bowie

2013 ISO / Columbia Records 14 tracks 53 min

Produced by Tony Visconti  ·  Engineered by Tony Visconti, Mario J. McNulty

ISO / Columbia Records Art RockRock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether David Bowie carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by David Bowie 0 tracksoutside writers
David Bowie's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
4
Lyricists
1
Producers
208,000
US Copies Sold
2013
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Best Rock Album (2014, Nominated)
Best Rock Performance (2014, Nominated)
Data Insight

The Next Day was written by David Bowie and produced with Tony Visconti, who also engineered and mixed the record. Bowie wrote all the lyrics and most of the music, co-composing 'Boss of Me' and 'I'll Take You There' with guitarist Gerry Leonard and building 'How Does the Grass Grow?' around a melody by Jerry Lordan. Recorded in secret in New York over two years, it ended Bowie's decade-long silence and was announced by surprise on his 66th birthday with the single 'Where Are We Now?'

David Bowie's The Next Day, released March 8, 2013 on ISO / Columbia Records, was one of the most celebrated surprise comebacks in music history, announced with no warning via the single 'Where Are We Now?' on his 66th birthday after ten years of silence, produced again by Tony Visconti. Bowie wrote all fourteen tracks himself, spanning dark political commentary ('Valentine's Day'), personal reflection ('Where Are We Now?'), and the propulsive title track, which reached number one in the UK. The album debuted at number one in more than fifteen countries and was widely declared one of the best albums of 2013. Tilda Swinton and Marion Cotillard appear in the controversial music videos. Bowie co-wrote 'If You Can See Me' with Brian Eno, the only external collaborator on an otherwise self-written set. The Next Day confirmed that after fifty years of making records, Bowie's songwriting authority had diminished not at all.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
The Next Day
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
2
Dirty Boys
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
3
The Stars (Are Out Tonight)
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
4
Love Is Lost
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
5
Where Are We Now? #6
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
6
Valentine's Day
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
7
If You Can See Me
David BowieBrian Eno David BowieBrian Eno Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
8
I'd Rather Be High
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
9
Boss of Me
David BowieGerry Leonard David BowieGerry Leonard Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
10
Dancing Out in Space
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
11
How Does the Grass Grow?
David BowieJerry Lordan David BowieJerry Lordan Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
12
(You Will) Set the World on Fire
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
13
You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)
14
Heat
David Bowie David Bowie Tony Visconti David Bowie (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

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1975 88%
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1976 83%
Station to Station
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6 tracksProd. Harry Maslin
1977 100%
Heroes
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1977 100%
Low
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1979 100%
Lodger
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1980 90%
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
RCA Records
10 tracksProd. David Bowie
1983 88%
Let's Dance
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8 tracksProd. Nile Rodgers
1984 67%
Tonight
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9 tracksProd. David Bowie
1987 91%
Never Let Me Down
EMI Records
11 tracksProd. David Bowie
1993 67%
Black Tie White Noise
Savage Records
12 tracksProd. Nile Rodgers
1993 100%
The Buddha of Suburbia
Arista Records
10 tracksProd. David Bowie
1995 100%
Outside
Arista Records
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1997 100%
Earthling
Arista Records
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1999 100%
'hours...'
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2002 75%
Heathen
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2003 82%
Reality
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2016 100%
Blackstar
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Frequently Asked Questions The Next Day

Who wrote The Next Day by David Bowie?
David Bowie wrote all the lyrics and most of the music on The Next Day. He co-composed 'Boss of Me' and 'I'll Take You There' with guitarist Gerry Leonard, and 'How Does the Grass Grow?' incorporates a melody by Jerry Lordan.
When was The Next Day by David Bowie released?
The Next Day was released on 8 March 2013 on ISO Records in association with Columbia Records. It was Bowie's first studio album in ten years, following 2003's Reality.
What was the first single from The Next Day by David Bowie?
The first single was 'Where Are We Now?,' released on 8 January 2013, Bowie's 66th birthday. It peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart, his first UK top ten single in two decades.
Who produced The Next Day by David Bowie?
The Next Day was produced by David Bowie and Tony Visconti. Visconti also handled engineering and mixing, with Mario J. McNulty providing additional engineering during the secret New York recording sessions.
What chart position did The Next Day by David Bowie reach?
The Next Day reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and number 2 on the US Billboard 200. It was his first UK number one album since 1993's Black Tie White Noise.
Was The Next Day by David Bowie nominated for a Grammy?
Yes, The Next Day was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards. The single 'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)' was also nominated for Best Rock Performance.
Is The Next Day by David Bowie certified Platinum?
Yes, The Next Day was certified Platinum in the UK by the BPI. It also reached Platinum in France and Gold in Germany.

Sources