Sorrow

Album: Best of Bowie (1973)
Charted: 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Sorrow" was originally performed by The McCoys in 1965. The McCoys released most of their works on the Bang Records label, founded by Atlantic Records alumni Ahmet Ertegün, Nesuhi Ertegün, and Jerry Wexler. Writing credits go to the writing team of Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer (FGG Productions), who also had a group called The Strangeloves.
  • The McCoys are better known for their #1 hit, "Hang On Sloopy." "Sorrow" was released as the B-side of their follow-up single "Fever," which went to #7. Future releases failed to crack the Top 10.
  • David Bowie's cover is the most famous version of "Sorrow." It comes from his cover project album, Pin Ups, released in 1973, which peaked at #1 and stayed in the UK album charts for 21 weeks. The album later re-entered the charts on two more occasions, for 15 weeks peaking at #57, and for one more week at #52. "Sorrow" itself was the only single from Pin Ups to chart, staying for 15 weeks on the UK singles chart, peaking at #3. The B-side was "Amsterdam," a song originally by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel.
  • In the UK this was originally recorded by The Merseys. Their version peaked at #4 ion the singles chart in 1966.

Comments: 3

  • İ.alparslan Dİzdarer from Ankara, TurkeyMy most favourite David Bowie track.
  • Davidtpayne from Stoke-on-trentA all-time clasic song
  • Zabadak from London, EnglandAlthough the original was by The McCoys, Bowie's cover was inspired by the version by The Merseys. Also, FYI, Amsterdam was not on Pin-Ups.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.