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1977 - "Heroes" (AUS/NZ)
1. Beauty And The Beast
2. Joe The Lion
3. "Heroes"
4. Sons Of The Silent Age
5. Blackout
6. V-2 Schneider
7. Sense Of Doubt
8. Moss Garden
9. Neuköln
10. The Secret Life Of Arabia



"Heroes" was Bowie's 8th consecutive Australian top 10 album.

An unusual phenomena compared to most other territories, the album in Australia appears to have both peaked higher and charted longer than Bowie's previous album,
Low.

Country Released Chart Entry Chart HP (WI)
UK Nov 29, 1977   3 (18)
US Nov 29, 1977   35 (19)
AUS   Nov 28, 1977 6 (24)
NZ   Dec 16, 1977 15 (9)


Heroes - The Single



Like the singles off Low, the "Heroes" singles were backed by instrumental flip sides.


The title track was released in Australia in November and it endured 17 weeks on chart. In early 1978, "Heroes" reached number 11 - considerably better than it's UK position where it stalled at number 24.

According to Oz Net, the song is still the 35th most frequently played number on Australian radio! (It just beats 'Space Oddity' at 40. 'Starman' is 217 and 'Ashes to Ashes' is 670).

In New Zealand in 1977, the "Heroes" single only made it to a peak position of #35 - staying 2 weeks on chart - and not exactly indicative of it's classic status today.



Australian issue of "Heroes".
Backed by 'V2 Schneider'.
First issued on an orange label (as shown) then followed with a khaki label.



Beauty and the Beast


'Beauty and the Beast' was offered as a second single in Australia. Backed by 'Sense of Doubt', it was issued in January 1978 on a khaki label.

Australian issue of 'Beauty and the Beast' (1978). Backed by 'Sense of Doubt'. Scans sent in by Anthony.



Heroes E.P. Exclusive


In November 1978 - at the time of Bowie's first tour down under - "Heroes" was released as a unique picture sleeve EP. The 4 track record contained the relatively rare German and French versions of the song. Compile (a British web site) identifies this as "a superb little seen overseas rarity".




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