David Bowie - Absolute Beginners (12" SIngles) - 45RPM - EXC/EXC

David Bowie's "Absolute Beginners" soundtrack, released in 1986, is notable for its title track, which stands out as a high point in Bowie's mid-80s career. While the soundtrack encompasses various artists and styles, reflecting the musical diversity of the film's 1950s London setting, Bowie's contribution, "Absolute Beginners," is particularly significant for its lush production and heartfelt performance.

"Absolute Beginners," the single, is a sweeping, romantic ballad that showcases Bowie's ability to craft emotive and compelling music across different phases of his career. The song, with its rich orchestral arrangement and smooth saxophone lines, captures the optimistic spirit of love and the innocence of youth, themes central to the film's narrative. Bowie's vocal performance is particularly noteworthy, delivering the song's poignant lyrics with a sincerity and depth that resonates with listeners.

The production of "Absolute Beginners" by Bowie and Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, known for their work with artists like Madness and Elvis Costello, contributes to the track's polished sound. The arrangement, featuring a full orchestra, creates a lush backdrop for Bowie's vocals, elevating the song to an anthemic quality that stands in contrast to the more commercial pop sound of his other mid-80s work.

While the "Absolute Beginners" soundtrack as a whole features a variety of artists and genres, from jazz to R&B and pop, reflecting the film's eclectic musical landscape, Bowie's title track remains the most enduring piece from the project. Its success as a single helped to somewhat mitigate the film's lukewarm reception, reaffirming Bowie's status as a versatile and influential musician capable of transcending the boundaries of film and music.

Critically, "Absolute Beginners" (the song) was well-received, with many praising Bowie's return to a more sophisticated musical expression, reminiscent of his earlier work. The track's ability to stand apart from the commercial pop sound that dominated much of Bowie's 80s output demonstrated his enduring talent and artistic versatility.

Commercially, the single achieved considerable success, charting highly in the UK and internationally, and its accompanying music video further cemented its popularity. The song's association with the film, despite its mixed reviews, helped to keep Bowie in the public eye during a period of transition in his career.

In retrospect, "Absolute Beginners" (the song) is often celebrated as one of Bowie's standout tracks from the 1980s, a decade marked by both high points and challenges in his career. Its inclusion in the soundtrack not only contributed a memorable musical moment to the film but also highlighted Bowie's ability to navigate different artistic mediums successfully. The song remains a testament to Bowie's enduring legacy as a musician and cultural icon, capable of capturing the emotional depth and complexity of human experience in his work.