David Bowie — Modern Love
Album: Let's DanceAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2445
Length: 4:39
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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I don't want to go out
I won't stay in
Get things done
I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for (modern love)
Walks beside me (modern love)
Walks on by (modern love)
Gets me to the church on time (church on time)
Terrifies me (church on time)
Makes me party (church on time)
Puts my trust in god and man (God and man)
No confessions (God and man)
No religion (God and man)
Don't believe in modern love
It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for (modern love)
Walks beside me (modern love)
Walks on by (modern love)
Gets me to the church on time (church on time)
Terrifies me (church on time)
Makes me party (church on time)
Puts my trust in god and man (God and man)
No confessions (God and man)
No religion (God and man)
Don't believe in modern love
(Modern love), (modern love), (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks beside me (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks on by (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks beside me (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks on by (modern love)
(Modern love) never gonna fall for (modern love)
(Modern love), (modern love), (modern love)
I won't stay in
Get things done
I catch a paper boy
But things don't really change
I'm standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
There's no sign of life
It's just the power to charm
I'm lying in the rain
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for (modern love)
Walks beside me (modern love)
Walks on by (modern love)
Gets me to the church on time (church on time)
Terrifies me (church on time)
Makes me party (church on time)
Puts my trust in god and man (God and man)
No confessions (God and man)
No religion (God and man)
Don't believe in modern love
It's not really work
It's just the power to charm
I'm still standing in the wind
But I never wave bye-bye
But I try, I try
Never gonna fall for (modern love)
Walks beside me (modern love)
Walks on by (modern love)
Gets me to the church on time (church on time)
Terrifies me (church on time)
Makes me party (church on time)
Puts my trust in god and man (God and man)
No confessions (God and man)
No religion (God and man)
Don't believe in modern love
(Modern love), (modern love), (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks beside me (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks on by (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks beside me (modern love)
(Modern love) modern love walks on by (modern love)
(Modern love) never gonna fall for (modern love)
(Modern love), (modern love), (modern love)
Comments (94)add comment
A minor thing I liked about Bowie is that he defiantly retained his Lahndan accent when everyone else in pop was going mid-atlantic. Be proud of yer roots, narmean john? :o)
I have always appreciated the cover image and theme
Montreal_Mort wrote:
I was supposed to see him in Syracuse NY on that tour, but we got snowed out. Or in. I'm still disappointed.
Same tour, Oakland stadium - without doubt, the best show of the 120 I’ve gone to…. By far. Oh man, the stage presence he had that night. Had 80k people in the palm of his hand
I was supposed to see him in Syracuse NY on that tour, but we got snowed out. Or in. I'm still disappointed.
Same tour, Oakland stadium - without doubt, the best show of the 120 I’ve gone to…. By far. Oh man, the stage presence he had that night. Had 80k people in the palm of his hand
h8rhater wrote:
Caught him at Washington DC's Capital Centre two weeks prior back in '83. STILL one of the 3 or 4 best concerts that I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of shows. The setlist, the costumes, the stage show, and the production set a standard that few bands have matched over the years.
Same tour, but Hartford Civic Center for me. Just incredible.
Caught him at Washington DC's Capital Centre two weeks prior back in '83. STILL one of the 3 or 4 best concerts that I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of shows. The setlist, the costumes, the stage show, and the production set a standard that few bands have matched over the years.
Same tour, but Hartford Civic Center for me. Just incredible.
jelgator wrote:
Wow! No wonder I loved this album so much when I bought it....
Fantastic information on RadioParadise, as well as killer music! Thanks everybody, and thanks very much to you, Bill!
9 ---> 10 for Stevie Ray Vaughn playing on this album. And I believe he was on this tour.
Wow! No wonder I loved this album so much when I bought it....
Fantastic information on RadioParadise, as well as killer music! Thanks everybody, and thanks very much to you, Bill!
I think this is one of the greatest pop songs ever written. Just my opinion, but as poppy music goes this is tops. And it's a nice break from all the melancholy music RP plays.
This album really gave a boost to SR Vaughn's career and gave him a much wider audience than he was getting in Austin TX music scene. It is also a shining example of just how open minded Bowie was to his approach to his music. I mean to bring in a Texas Blues guitarist to his progressive sound? Who would have thought of it?
h8rhater wrote:
No doubt... a lot of crybabies on this thread. The constant "wah, wah, wah!" of some of these posters is tedious.
Careful, though, they may not all be Americans.
They also seem to not realise there's a "NEXT" button right beside the "PLAY" button.
Don't like a song? Hit NEXT.
But whinging like a 4-year-old I guess is the preferred option.
No doubt... a lot of crybabies on this thread. The constant "wah, wah, wah!" of some of these posters is tedious.
Careful, though, they may not all be Americans.
They also seem to not realise there's a "NEXT" button right beside the "PLAY" button.
Don't like a song? Hit NEXT.
But whinging like a 4-year-old I guess is the preferred option.
Can't get any more Conservative then that
Mama always said, "If you want to get things done, don't mess around with Major Tom."
Skydog wrote:
Skydog wrote:
"I don't want to go out
I won't stay in
Get things done"
.
.
Bowie always got things done
I won't stay in
Get things done"
.
.
Bowie always got things done
I miss Bowie. I don't miss this.
RabbitEars wrote:
Great album! Are you INSAAAANE?
love bowie hate this album
Great album! Are you INSAAAANE?
love bowie hate this album
jelgator wrote:
Per various SRV sources: Vaughan showed up for rehearsals in Dallas in April (soundboard tapes from the rehearsals exist), but Vaughan showed up with a cocaine habit, a hard-partying wife and an entourage looking for easy access to drugs. Given that Bowie himself had moved to Berlin in the late 1970s to try and kick his own cocaine habit, Bowie and Vaughan's management failed to come to an agreement on how to
temper the situation, and in the end Vaughan pulled out of the tour. Vaughan was replaced by longtime Bowie guitarist Earl Slick.
Carlos Alomar, long time Bowie collaborator, served as band director and guitarist on the tour as well.
9 ---> 10 for Stevie Ray Vaughn playing on this album. And I believe he was on this tour.
Per various SRV sources: Vaughan showed up for rehearsals in Dallas in April (soundboard tapes from the rehearsals exist), but Vaughan showed up with a cocaine habit, a hard-partying wife and an entourage looking for easy access to drugs. Given that Bowie himself had moved to Berlin in the late 1970s to try and kick his own cocaine habit, Bowie and Vaughan's management failed to come to an agreement on how to
temper the situation, and in the end Vaughan pulled out of the tour. Vaughan was replaced by longtime Bowie guitarist Earl Slick.
Carlos Alomar, long time Bowie collaborator, served as band director and guitarist on the tour as well.
Strong Omar Hakim 
MiracleDrug wrote:
funny how having to learn a "meh" piece of music adds to your appreciation of it...
Whats so MEH about this?
Yes, the production is dated!
But this song is a great piece of art!
Check out this accoustic cover to see for yourself.
funny how having to learn a "meh" piece of music adds to your appreciation of it...
Whats so MEH about this?
Yes, the production is dated!
But this song is a great piece of art!
Check out this accoustic cover to see for yourself.
9 ---> 10 for Stevie Ray Vaughn playing on this album. And I believe he was on this tour.
mrtuba9 wrote:
I know, silly to comment on my own comment, but I have always wanted (since the introduction of internet radio) wanted to create a sax solo playlist...
I gave it a 9 for the sax alone.
I know, silly to comment on my own comment, but I have always wanted (since the introduction of internet radio) wanted to create a sax solo playlist...
I gave it a 9 for the sax alone.
To me 5 - Decent but my current favorites are :
10 - Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Concerto No.4 In E, Adagio
10 - Ludovico Einaudi - Primavera
10 - The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
10 - Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
10 - Ludovico Einaudi - Divenire
10 - The Beatles - Hey Jude
10 - Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes (live in Athens 1988)
10 - Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
10 - Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
10 - Shannon McNally - Down and Dirty
10 - Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
More Peter Gabriel PLEASE
10 - Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Concerto No.4 In E, Adagio
10 - Ludovico Einaudi - Primavera
10 - The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
10 - Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms
10 - Ludovico Einaudi - Divenire
10 - The Beatles - Hey Jude
10 - Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes (live in Athens 1988)
10 - Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
10 - Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
10 - Shannon McNally - Down and Dirty
10 - Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
More Peter Gabriel PLEASE
ode to Bobby
easmann wrote:
I understand these sentiments, and I won't argue, but I would like to provide an alternate view.
Bowie I think simply ignored anything like a label, category, or box, and pursued his own artistic vision. Most times he led, occasionally he followed, but always produced music with his unique interpretation. That doesn't mean you should or should not like any particular work of his, that's your entirely subjective evaluation, one I believe he recognized, and did what he did knowing full well that not all fans would accept or like everything he did. He did it anyway.
So expect anything you like from Bowie or from any true artist: they're going to do what they do regardless of anyone's expectation.
Peace.
I agree with a lot of what you say. However this period was not in my view an Artist pursuing a unique vision, but a cynical cash in take the Money and run project. I doubt that Bowie liked it much but he needed a hit at the time. He deployed a similar strategy with Young Americans but that resulted in vastly superior output. Nice Roger's should be ashamed about what he did to China Girl that candy arsed culturally insensitive intro makes me cringe. Bowie was struggling to write worthwhile material at the time and resorted to plundering the Iggy Berlin stuff for diminishing returns .
I understand these sentiments, and I won't argue, but I would like to provide an alternate view.
Bowie I think simply ignored anything like a label, category, or box, and pursued his own artistic vision. Most times he led, occasionally he followed, but always produced music with his unique interpretation. That doesn't mean you should or should not like any particular work of his, that's your entirely subjective evaluation, one I believe he recognized, and did what he did knowing full well that not all fans would accept or like everything he did. He did it anyway.
So expect anything you like from Bowie or from any true artist: they're going to do what they do regardless of anyone's expectation.
Peace.
I agree with a lot of what you say. However this period was not in my view an Artist pursuing a unique vision, but a cynical cash in take the Money and run project. I doubt that Bowie liked it much but he needed a hit at the time. He deployed a similar strategy with Young Americans but that resulted in vastly superior output. Nice Roger's should be ashamed about what he did to China Girl that candy arsed culturally insensitive intro makes me cringe. Bowie was struggling to write worthwhile material at the time and resorted to plundering the Iggy Berlin stuff for diminishing returns .
Steely_D wrote:
+1
What a horrible period for one of the great genii of pop music. I can barely stand this stuff.
+1
Probably the most underachieving Bowie track from his lamentable Springsteen stadium period. Horrible.
Man could Bowie write a hook - this song is catchier than tuberculosis!
"I don't want to go out
I won't stay in
Get things done"
.
.
Bowie always got things done
I won't stay in
Get things done"
.
.
Bowie always got things done
treatment_bound wrote:
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet, I was able to find the set list from that show I saw years ago but can barely remember!
Caught him at Washington DC's Capital Centre two weeks prior back in '83. STILL one of the 3 or 4 best concerts that I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of shows. The setlist, the costumes, the stage show, and the production set a standard that few bands have matched over the years.
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet, I was able to find the set list from that show I saw years ago but can barely remember!
9/14/83—Winnipeg Stadium
Look Back in Anger
"Heroes"
What in the World
Golden Years
Fashion
Let's Dance
Life on Mars?
Sorrow (The McCoys cover)
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
China Girl (Iggy Pop cover)
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
Rebel Rebel
White Light/White Heat (The Velvet Underground cover)
Station to Station
Cracked Actor
Ashes to Ashes
Space Oddity
Young Americans
Fame
TVC15
Star
Encore:
Stay
The Jean Genie
Modern Love
Caught him at Washington DC's Capital Centre two weeks prior back in '83. STILL one of the 3 or 4 best concerts that I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of shows. The setlist, the costumes, the stage show, and the production set a standard that few bands have matched over the years.
treatment_bound wrote:
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet, I was able to find the set list from that show I saw years ago but can barely remember!
Saw Dave play this live in '83 in Winnipeg on The Serious Moonlight tour.
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet, I was able to find the set list from that show I saw years ago but can barely remember!
9/14/83—Winnipeg Stadium
Look Back in Anger
"Heroes"
What in the World
Golden Years
Fashion
Let's Dance
Life on Mars?
Sorrow (The McCoys cover)
Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
China Girl (Iggy Pop cover)
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
Rebel Rebel
White Light/White Heat (The Velvet Underground cover)
Station to Station
Cracked Actor
Ashes to Ashes
Space Oddity
Young Americans
Fame
TVC15
Star
Encore:
Stay
The Jean Genie
Modern Love
This song might have just saved my morning. 9.
Was not a Bowie fan back in the day but have grown to appreciate his artistry. He is one of the few musicians that never stopped reinventing himself and in turn his music. Ton of respect and hey, I've grown to like his music.
Hehe Bowie and his "FINALLY out of the contractual obligation with that crappy label now I can make some REAL money" album.
Ah, that horrible 80's drum sound. Was bad then, is bad now.
This is a terrible song I know, but I have always liked it!
Tight. Love it.
sorry - that sounds just terrible...
What a horrible period for one of the great genii of pop music. I can barely stand this stuff.
I grew up with Bowie...
For movie lovers, beautiful scene with Leo Carax:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt2KlkBUgXA
Time 2 m. 30 s.
For movie lovers, beautiful scene with Leo Carax:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt2KlkBUgXA
Time 2 m. 30 s.
kazuma wrote:
treatment_bound wrote:
rocco1207 wrote:
Perhaps kazuma never recovered from the lingering after-effects...
Yes this is very poppy but hey after the three Berlin albums and "Scary Monsters" we all deserved something lighter. Apparently getting off the cocaine habit helped David's mood.
This song was the soundtrack of a multi-hour nightmare I had on the eve of my brother's wedding back in 1983.
treatment_bound wrote:
I'd sure like to hear (or read) the rest of the story...
rocco1207 wrote:
Thanks for leaving us hanging ....
Perhaps kazuma never recovered from the lingering after-effects...
Yes this is very poppy but hey after the three Berlin albums and "Scary Monsters" we all deserved something lighter. Apparently getting off the cocaine habit helped David's mood.
bluejay08003 wrote:
I found myself thinking the same way.
Rick_V wrote: All true statements. I nearly gave it 5= Decent, but realized I was marking it down because I expect more from Bowie.
Big Bowie fan though I was never too fond of the Let's Dance album. "Modern Love" is the definite exception. Great tune. You can't help but bust a move when this one is cranked up.
I found myself thinking the same way.
Rick_V wrote: All true statements. I nearly gave it 5= Decent, but realized I was marking it down because I expect more from Bowie.
Big Bowie fan though I was never too fond of the Let's Dance album. "Modern Love" is the definite exception. Great tune. You can't help but bust a move when this one is cranked up.
Of all the things that you could have played from his back catalog... UGH.
Big Bowie fan though I was never too fond of the Let's Dance album. "Modern Love" is the definite exception. Great tune. You can't help but bust a move when this one is cranked up.
Has David married Iggy meanwhile?
30 y/old, and I still call those songs the 'new songs from Bowie'.
Dave? All us lot know him as Big D.
treatment_bound wrote:
Saw Dave play this live in '83 in Winnipeg on The Serious Moonlight tour. We drove up from Fargo that day. Remember that lovely era when you could just flash some ID at the Canadian border, tell them where you were going and for how long, and then they'd wave you through in about 3 minutes after giving you "the once-over"? I miss those days.
I'm pretty sure it was the last song that night, as Dave and his backup singers waved us "bye-bye', and we climbed back into my crappy '76 SAAB and drove home.
Never been a fan of this Bowie but really love the cover done by Last Town Chorus…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAypnmdiCEk
Saw Dave play this live in '83 in Winnipeg on The Serious Moonlight tour. We drove up from Fargo that day. Remember that lovely era when you could just flash some ID at the Canadian border, tell them where you were going and for how long, and then they'd wave you through in about 3 minutes after giving you "the once-over"? I miss those days.
I'm pretty sure it was the last song that night, as Dave and his backup singers waved us "bye-bye', and we climbed back into my crappy '76 SAAB and drove home.
Dog_Ear wrote:
No doubt... a lot of crybabies on this thread. The constant "wah, wah, wah!" of some of these posters is tedious.
Careful, though, they may not all be Americans.
Some of the comments here make you understand how he arrived at the phrase . . . "I'm afraid of Americans"
No doubt... a lot of crybabies on this thread. The constant "wah, wah, wah!" of some of these posters is tedious.
Careful, though, they may not all be Americans.
ziakut wrote:
funny how having to learn a "meh" piece of music adds to your appreciation of it...
Didn't like this tune when it was released. Then was required to learn it and play it in a cover band. Many years have passed and now I appreciate it more. Strange how that happens!
funny how having to learn a "meh" piece of music adds to your appreciation of it...
Didn't like this tune when it was released. Then was required to learn it and play it in a cover band. Many years have passed and now I appreciate it more. Strange how that happens!
8 - for the bari sax!
gumbo73039 wrote:
A guy who lives in England, and listens to RP, and your only Bowie album is Lets Dance??? Huh??
Let's dance is my only Bowie album, bought it Cyprus on a yacht delivery in the eighties, had it on Walkman through all weathers, soundtrack to a great couple of months. Good memories.
A guy who lives in England, and listens to RP, and your only Bowie album is Lets Dance??? Huh??
raggamuffin wrote:
I know and that IMHO is the reason, this album is so good
Stevie Ray on guitar..what a excellent album.
I know and that IMHO is the reason, this album is so good
Let's dance is my only Bowie album, bought it Cyprus on a yacht delivery in the eighties, had it on Walkman through all weathers, soundtrack to a great couple of months. Good memories.
raggamuffin wrote:
Stevie Ray on guitar..what a excellent album.
Didn't know that ... seems like an unlikely collaboration. For all those who are indignant to hear this on RP, it's ashame this was so overplayed on commercial radio but I don't think it's an abomination to hear it mixed in here. Dog_Ear wrote:
Some of the comments here make you understand how he arrived at the phrase . . . "I'm afraid of Americans"
I normally like Bowie, but this one is just too... something.
holborne wrote:
Seriously. I would rather not hear stuff like this on RP, frankly.
I couldn't agree more.
Seriously. I would rather not hear stuff like this on RP, frankly.
I couldn't agree more.
Some of the comments here make you understand how he arrived at the phrase . . . "I'm afraid of Americans"
Panama_Floyd wrote:
Seriously. I would rather not hear stuff like this on RP, frankly.
Who replaced my RP with "Easy 102.1"?
Seriously. I would rather not hear stuff like this on RP, frankly.
Overplayed but I still like it
Panama_Floyd wrote:
Who replaced my RP with "Easy 102.1"?
this is the ony one from David Bowie that I really like
I can't this is a work of staggering artistic genius, but it does make me dance in my chair. And that's a good thing.
Yep. So pop for Him
Rickvee wrote:
Rickvee wrote:
Ss commercial songs go this is one of the best.
love this from the ever evolving thin white duke. Also from around this time "Putting Out Fires with Gasoline" is great.
Who replaced my RP with "Easy 102.1"?
Ss commercial songs go this is one of the best.
Crappy, Cheesy pop! 
UltraNurd wrote:
Shares a lot of sound with Elton John's "Island Girl", which I believe were roughly contemporary?
Let's Dance - 1983
Rock of the Westies - 1975
Pretty big gap as far as musical trends go. Still, an interesting catch on similarity of style. Are both drawing on ska?
kazuma wrote:
This song was the soundtrack of a multi-hour nightmare I had on the eve of my brother's wedding back in 1983.
treatment_bound wrote:I'd sure like to hear (or read) the rest of the story...
Yes, please kazuma, give us the full story!
what a song :)
kazuma wrote:
This song was the soundtrack of a multi-hour nightmare I had on the eve of my brother's wedding back in 1983.
I'd sure like to hear (or read) the rest of the story...
Stevie Ray on guitar..what a excellent album.
Shares a lot of sound with Elton John's "Island Girl", which I believe were roughly contemporary?
A tapestry of excellent rock musicianship.
I always used this track to show off high-end audio systems.
I love the sound of a closely, thouroughly miked drum set.
And yes, it does have SRV, but he's got better parts on other tracks.
kazuma wrote:
This song was the soundtrack of a multi-hour nightmare I had on the eve of my brother's wedding back in 1983.
Thanks for leaving us hanging ....
This song was the soundtrack of a multi-hour nightmare I had on the eve of my brother's wedding back in 1983.
Professor_C wrote:
It's a great 80's style tune. Bowie purists should calm down, for heaven's sake. It's rather transparently fashionable to denigrate Modern Love and Let's Dance and wax rhapsodic about earlier (and/or later) Bowie. And I say this as a hard core Bowie fan.
Could not have expressed it better. Ditto, Prof.!
It only took 24 years, but I've learned to love it. 8
Not my favorite song off the album, but still a solid eight. Bowie did what Bowie does by creating a hit while still maintaining his individual style.
Goes from 7 to an 8, just because the more SRV one can hear, the better...
It's a great 80's style tune. Bowie purists should calm down, for heaven's sake. It's rather transparently fashionable to denigrate Modern Love and Let's Dance and wax rhapsodic about earlier (and/or later) Bowie. And I say this as a hard core Bowie fan.
It\'s a good song compared to Stock-Aitken-Waterman(yeah, those guys who rickrolled the 80ies). ... but THAT album started the long dark bleak corridor of extreme suck that followed. I like THAT song and hate anything else til Tin Machine and 1st Outside.
But at least Bowie reemerged in the 90ies to full glory.
wow.. it's already gone down 0.1 as I was writing my last post!
I can't believe a classic like this is only rated a 6.7 (!) What's up with that?? It's BOWIE!
GF wrote:
just plain awful.
Well, just plain acceptable. Near the bottom of Bowie's output, which puts it a bit above the basement (the freakin' Eagles, say).
A low point in a great artist\'s career! pre-80\'s or post-80\'s preferably... 
Caught him at Washington DC's Capital Centre two weeks prior back in '83. STILL one of the 3 or 4 best concerts that I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of shows. The setlist, the costumes, the stage show, and the production set a standard that few bands have matched over the years.
Caught him on the same tour - but at Milton Keynes Bowl in the UK. Still remember how blown away I was.