Diamond Dogs - Definition and Overview

Diamond Dogs is a concept album by David Bowie, originally released by RCA in 1974. The subject was the apocalyptic nature of the novel 1984 by George Orwell. Bowie had wanted to make a theatrical production of 1984, but the Orwell estate denied the rights. Diamond Dogs was produced using the material instead, and as the song titles show the 1984 theme is still very much in evidence. The cover art on the original album has a half dog, half Bowie figure painted by Guy Peellaert.

Pop group (and Bowie admirers) Duran Duran did a cover of the title song, which appeared on the Japanese version of the 1995 covers album Thank You, and recording artist Beck recorded the same song for the film Moulin Rouge in 2002.

Musicians on the album

• David Bowie: vocals, guitar, saxes, moog and mellotron
• Mike Garson: piano
• Alan Parker: guitar on 1984
• Herbie Flowers: bass
• Tony Newman: drums
• Anysley Dunbar: drums
• Tony Visconti: strings

Songs on the album

• "Future Legend" (1:05)
• "Diamond Dogs" (5:56)
• "Sweet Thing" (3:39)
• "Candidate" (2:40)
• "Sweet Thing" (reprise) (2:31)
• "Rebel Rebel" (4:30)
• "Rock 'N Roll With Me" (4:00)
• "We Are The Dead" (4:58)
• "1984" (3:27)
• "Big Brother" (3:21)
• "Chant of the Ever Circling Skeletal Family" (2:00)