David Bowie: The Androgynous Icon Who Aspired to Create Music for Children

David Bowie, known for his androgynous allure and innovative musical style, harbored a unique ambition: to create music for children. This might sound unusual coming from the same artist who famously penned songs about bizarre and surreal themes, but his desire to connect with younger audiences was sincere.

The Genesis of a Dream: Collaboration with Jim Henson

In 1983, during his Serious Moonlight Tour, Bowie was approached by Jim Henson, the legendary Muppet creator, to participate in a new film titled Labyrinth. At the time, other superstars like Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Prince, and Sting were considered for the role of Jareth, the Goblin King, but ultimately, Henson set his sights on Bowie.

Reflecting on this opportunity, Bowie expressed his enthusiasm to Movieline, stating, “I’d always wanted to be involved in the music-writing aspect of a movie that would appeal to children of all ages, as well as everyone else. Jim gave me a completely free hand with it. The script itself was terribly amusing without being vicious or spiteful or bloody, and it also had a lot more heart than many other special effects movies. So I was pretty well hooked from the beginning.”

A Collaborative Effort with Trevor Jones

While Bowie contributed significantly to the film’s soundtrack, he did not compose all the music alone. Much of the score was crafted by Trevor Jones, a South African composer known for his work on films such as Excalibur and The Last of the Mohicans.

Jones reminisced about working with Bowie, stating, “Jim [Henson] and I went over to Gstaad in Switzerland to work with him on the songs, and he was amazing to work with and loved the project. It was like a fairyland, and I have special memories of Jim, David Bowie, and myself. We used to stay in and drink mulled wine.”

Bowie’s Contributions to the Soundtrack

Bowie wrote the lyrics for several tracks, including “Magic Dance,” “Chilly Down,” “As the World Falls Down,” “Within You,” and “Underground.” The music for the initial “Opening Titles Including Underground” was composed by Jones. These songs were recorded in London and underwent additional sessions in New York in the fall of 1985.

The soundtrack also featured notable artists such as Chaka Khan, Cissy Houston, Luther Vandross, and Steve Ferrone, who later became the drummer for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In a nostalgic post on social media in 2024, Khan shared a photo of the star-studded recording session alongside Bowie and others.

The Unique Recording of “Magic Dance”

In true Bowie fashion, he embraced multiple roles during the production. While discussing “Magic Dance,” he humorously recounted the challenges he faced in capturing the sound of a baby for the track. “In the recording studio, the baby I picked – one of the backing singers, Diva [Gray], had this cute little baby, and it wouldn’t work for me. I ended up doing the gurgles; I’m the baby on that track as well.”

Music Videos and Reception

To promote the soundtrack, music videos for “Underground” and “As the World Falls Down” were created, directed by Steve Barron, who had previously worked on iconic videos for other artists. However, Bowie was less than enthusiastic about the promotional efforts, stating, “I’ve found that the videos I put into other people’s hands have always been a mistake. Because of my lack of interest, I didn’t get that involved with things like ‘Underground.’”

Despite his reservations, Jim Henson expressed gratitude for Bowie’s contributions, stating, “I think it’s the best thing he could have done for the film.” Upon its release on June 23, 1986, the Labyrinth soundtrack received a warm reception, peaking at No. 68 on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. and No. 38 in the U.K.

Conclusion

David Bowie’s foray into children’s music through Labyrinth showcases his versatility as an artist. His collaboration with Jim Henson and Trevor Jones not only enriched the film but also allowed Bowie to explore a different facet of his creativity. The soundtrack remains a beloved part of Bowie’s legacy, proving that his artistic vision was far-reaching and inclusive of all ages.

FAQs

Did David Bowie write all the music for Labyrinth?

No, while Bowie wrote several songs for the film, much of the score was composed by Trevor Jones.

What are some of the popular songs from the Labyrinth soundtrack?

Some of the notable songs include “Magic Dance,” “As the World Falls Down,” and “Within You.”

Did Bowie participate in the promotion of the film?

Bowie was not heavily involved in the promotion of Labyrinth and expressed a lack of interest in the music videos associated with the film.

What impact did Labyrinth have on Bowie’s career?

Labyrinth allowed Bowie to reach a younger audience and showcased his creativity in a family-friendly context, adding a unique dimension to his artistic legacy.