“Subterraneans” is a song by David Bowie, the closing track of his 1977 album Low. As with most of Side 2, “Subterraneans” is mostly instrumental, with brief, obscure lyrics sung near the song’s end.

“Subterraneans” was first recorded in 1975 and intended for the soundtrack to the 1976 film The Man Who Fell to Earth. It was later revisited during the sessions for Low.

Personnel

• David Bowie: Vocals, saxophone, reversed electric guitar, ARP String Ensemble
• Paul Buckmaster: ARP Odyssey synthesizer
• Peter Robinson : Reversed Fender Rhodes electric piano
• Brian Eno: ARP 2600 synthesizer, piano
• Carlos Alomar: Reversed electric guitar
• George Murray: Reversed bass guitar
• Tony Visconti: Production

Other versions

• Philip Glass – Low Symphony (1992)
• Nine Inch Nails – Live recording (with David Bowie) (1995)
• Dylan Howe – Jazz reconstruction for his album Subterranean – New Designs on Bowie’s Berlin (2014)
• Alva Noto with Martin Gore (vocals) and William Basinski (saxophone) – vinyl and digital single (2022)

References

1. Thomas Jerome Seabrook (2008). Bowie in Berlin: A New Career in a New Town: pp.131–132
2. Chris O’Leary (2019). Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016: p.49
3. Mojo (magazine). 60 Years of Bowie.
4. Griffin, R. “Low.” Bowie Golden Years (Jan). 2005 Archived 19 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 12 June 2007
5. Nicolai, Carsten. “[N-057] ALVA NOTO FEAT. MARTIN L. GORE & WILLIAN BASINSKI – SUBTERRANEANS EP”. Twitter. Retrieved 16 December 2022.