''Bowi'' was the first EP released on

Stiff Records Stiff Records is a British independent record label formed in London by Dave Robinson (music executive), Dave Robinson and Jake Riviera. Originally active from 1976 to 1986, the label was reactivated in 2007. Established at the outset of the p ...

. Recorded by

Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in Pub rock (United Kingdom), pub rock, power pop and New wave music, new wave,David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

album ''

Low Low or LOW or lows, may refer to: People * Low (surname), listing people surnamed Low Places * Low, Quebec, Canada * Low, Utah, United States * Lo Wu station (MTR code LOW), Hong Kong; a rail station * Salzburg Airport (ICAO airport code: LO ...

'', which had been released earlier in the year. Lowe decided that as Bowie had made an album with his name, but without the final ''e'', he would reciprocate by making a record with Bowie's name, also lacking the final ''e''. Of the four tracks on the EP, only "Marie Provost" was initially re-released on an album, 1978's ''

Jesus of Cool ''Jesus of Cool'' is the solo debut album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe, it was released in March 1978 by Radar Records in the UK. In the United States, the album was reconfigured by Columbia Records and retitled '' ...

'' (issued as ''Pure Pop for Now People'' in the US), although all four tracks appear on the 2008 deluxe re-release edition of ''Jesus of Cool''. The opening track "Born a Woman", written by Martha Sharp, had previously been performed by

Sandy Posey Sandra Lou Posey (June 18, 1944 – July 20, 2024) was an American popular singer who enjoyed success in the 1960s with singles such as her 1966 recording of Martha Sharp's compositions "Born a Woman" and "Single Girl". She was often described a ...

"as a lament about the world's cruelty and inequality", whereas Lowe sings it with glee, unclear whether he is "decrying the information he's sharing or reveling in it". "Marie Provost" was written about the death of silent screen star

Marie Prevost Marie Prevost (born Mary Bickford Dunn; November 8, 1896 – January 21, 1937) was a Canadian film actress. During her 20-year career, she made 121 silent and sound films. Prevost began her career during the silent film era. She was discove ...

, whose body was discovered several days after she had died, alone and penniless in her Hollywood apartment. When she was found, she had bite marks on her legs, courtesy of her dog. That was the basis for the refrain, "She was a winner / that became the doggie's dinner", as well as other lines indicating that her pet

dachshund The dachshund ( or ; German: 'badger dog'), also known as the wiener dog or sausage dog, badger dog, doxen and doxie, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, with varie ...

had eaten her. In contrast to the sad content of the lyrics, which evoke the transitory nature of fame, the melody is deliberately "bouncy ... with chiming guitars". The cover photography was by Peter Gravelle.

Track listing

All songs written by Nick Lowe, except "Born a Woman" by Martha Sharpe. # "Born a Woman" (originally performed by

) # "Shake That Rat" # "Marie Provost" # "Endless Sleep"

References

External links

* {{Nick Lowe Nick Lowe albums 1977 debut EPs Albums produced by Nick Lowe Stiff Records EPs