What in the World

This article is about David Bowie song. For television show, see What in the World? (television show).

"What in the World"
Song

"What in the World" is a song by David Bowie released on his 1977 album Low, later making appearances as repertoire in the 1978 world tour as well as other major tours.

"What in the World" showcases some of Bowie's Berlin-era songwriting and production techniques. The song, like other songs on the Low album, is disjointed, with seemingly random sentences and free-associative phrases appearing throughout the lyrics.

The song makes heavy use of synthesizer and recording studio techniques, heavily influenced by the work of Brian Eno, who collaborated with the album. A "blip"-like sound comparable to the sounds later made by Pac-Man and the Nintendo Entertainment System pulses throughout the song, which, coupled with extremely rhythmic guitar solos, creates a frantic pace. The song also makes use of the Harmonizer which Tony Visconti brought to the studio through the sound of Dennis Davis' drumming. The song also features Iggy Pop on backing vocals.

Live versions

• A live performance recorded in the spring of 1978 was released on the album Stage. To make the song more accessible for the concert audience, it had been lengthened by some two minutes. This was achieved by first playing the entirety of the first and second verses at a much slower tempo, practically at dance speed, and then repeating the song once again at album speed with its ending reinstalled.
• A live version recorded on 12 September 1983 was released on the concert film Serious Moonlight.

Production credits

• Producers:
  • Tony Visconti

• Musicians:
  • David Bowie: Vocals
  • Carlos Alomar: Rhythm Guitar
  • George Murray: Bass
  • Dennis Davis: Drums
  • Ricky Gardiner: Guitars
  • Brian Eno: ARP Synthesizer, Rimmer E.M.I.
  • Iggy Pop: Vocals
  • Roy Young: Piano, Farfisa

Other releases

• The live version from Stage, was released as the B-side of the single "Star" in 1978.
• The original album version was released as the B-side of the US release of the single "Boys Keep Swinging" in April 1979.

Cover versions

• The Blue Guitars - Single
• Gary Jones - Single
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live in Auckland (01.14.13 - Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand)

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics