"I Can't Read" is a song written by

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...

and

Reeves Gabrels Reeves Gabrels (born June 4, 1956) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. A member and guitarist of British band the Cure since 2012, Gabrels worked with David Bowie from 1987 to 1999, and was a member of the band Tin Machine. ...

for

Tin Machine Tin Machine were a British–American rock band formed in 1988, and fronted by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. The band consisted of Bowie on lead vocals, saxophone and guitar; Reeves Gabrels on guitar and vocals; Tony Fox Sales on ba ...

on their debut album in 1989. The song was subsequently re-recorded by Bowie and Gabrels together in 1997, and performed live during Bowie's concerts in the late 1990s.

Background

Bowie described the song as "full of remorse and agony, I expect, it's when jobs go wrong, and home doesn't really feel warm any more, and you don't need anybody - you don't even pretend you do - and you end up in this kind of state."David Bowie, Bridge Concert Benefit X, 19 October 1996 Bowie recorded two new versions of the song in 1997, one for the film ''

The Ice Storm ''The Ice Storm'' is a 1994 American novel by Rick Moody. The novel was widely acclaimed by readers and critics alike, described as a funny, acerbic, and moving hymn to a dazed and confused era of American life.Earthling Earthling or Earthlings may refer to: Film and television * ''Earthling'' (film), a 2010 sci-fi film * ''Earthlings'' (film), a 2005 animal rights documentary * ''The Earthling'', a 1980 drama film * "Earthling" (''Fringe''), a 2009 TV episode ...

'' (1997), although this latter version was not released outside of this single until its inclusion on '' Is It Any Wonder?'' (2020). The ''Ice Storm'' version was released as a single in Germany and Scandinavia by Velvel Records in December 1997. In January 1998 it was also released in Australia by Shock Records under exclusive license from Velvel Records. The single stayed in the UK Top 200 for 3 weeks, peaking at No. 73.

Track listing

1997 Single / Soundtrack version

The 1997 single contained both of Bowie's re-recorded versions of the song. The "short version" was included on the soundtrack to "The Ice Storm" and the "long version" wouldn't appear anywhere else until 2020's EP ''Is It Any Wonder?''

CD: Velvel / ZYX 8757-8 (Germany)

# "I Can't Read" (Short Version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 4:40 # "I Can't Read" (Long Version) (Bowie, Gabrels) – 5:30 # " This Is Not America" (Bowie, Metheny) – 3:48

2020 ''Is It Any Wonder?'' version

# "I Can't Read '97" (Bowie, Gabrels) - 5:27

Live versions

A performance from 25 June 1989 was released on the 12" and CD version of the single "

" (1989). Another live version recorded during Tin Machine's 1991 It's My Life Tour was released on the live album '' Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby'' (1992), and a final version recorded in 1999 by Bowie and Gabrels, but without the other members of Tin Machine, was released on '' VH1 Storytellers'' (2009).

Charts

Cover versions

Tim Bowness Tim Bowness (born 29 November 1963) is an English singer and songwriter primarily known for his work as part of the band No-Man, a long-term project formed in 1987 with Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson. Music career In addition to recording a ...

and

Samuel Smiles Samuel Smiles (23 December 1812 – 16 April 1904) was a British author and government reformer. Although he campaigned on a Chartist platform, he promoted the idea that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws. His pri ...

- ''Diamond Gods: Interpretations of Bowie'' (2001)

References

{{authority control 1989 songs 1997 singles David Bowie songs Music videos directed by Tim Pope Songs written by David Bowie Songs written by Reeves Gabrels Tin Machine songs