David Bowie Website Teases ‘Let’s Dance’ Reissue

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“Listen to me”
#BowieTeaser

On Christmas Day 2017, David Bowie’s website and social media accounts shared a nine-second snippet of music. As the brief teaser clip plays against a black backdrop, a silhouette using graphics from his 1983 Let’s Dance album slowly appears. The only words that accompany the music and image were the words “Listen to me” (in quotes) and “#BowieTeaser.” (See it below.)

Let’s Dance was released on April 14, 1983. Bowie’s 15th studio album was also his first for EMI after his career on RCA Records. The LP was a gargantuan success, yielding three hit singles: the title cut (#1 worldwide), “China Girl” (#2 U.K., #10 U.S.) and “Modern Love” (#2 U.K., #14 U.S.). Let’s Dance was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year (losing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller).

1983’s original Let’s Dance album cover

The album has reportedly sold over 10 million copies worldwide, Bowie’s top-selling studio effort. The classic rock legend produced the album with Nile Rodgers, the Chic mastermind (and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017). Following Chic’s enormous multi-format success, particularly with the singles “Le Freak,” “Good Times” and “Dance, Dance, Dance,” Rodgers became a much-in-demand producer. Artists that he oversaw included Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger and the B-52s.

A 2018 reissue of some kind would thus represent a 35th anniversary of the landmark album. When the teaser was posted on Dec. 25 on Bowie’s Facebook page, fans immediately began to post comments speculating on what was to come.

Bowie died on January 10, 2016, shortly after his 69th birthday.