"V-2 Schneider" is a largely instrumental song written by David Bowie in 1977 for the album "Heroes", and released as the B-side of "'Heroes'". The song was not played on the subsequent Isolar II Tour and its first live rendition occurred in 1997, 20 years after it was recorded.[1]Mojo magazine listed it as Bowie's 95th best track in 2015.[2]
Background
It was a tribute to Florian Schneider,[3] co-founder of the band Kraftwerk, whom Bowie acknowledged as a significant influence at the time.[4] The title also referenced the V-2 rocket, the first ballistic missile, which had been developed for the German Army during World War II, and whose design (and engineers) played a key role in the American space program.[5]
The only words sung are those in the title, initially distorted by phasing.[1] Musically, the track is unusual for the off-beat saxophone work by Bowie, who kicked off his part on the wrong note,[6] but continued regardless.[7]
Live versions
A live version recorded at Paradiso, Amsterdam in June 1997, was released as the B-side of the single "Pallas Athena" in August 1997, under the name Tao Jones Index.[8] This version also appeared on the bonus disc for the Digibook Expanded Edition of Earthling.
Other releases
It appeared on the compilation Chameleon (Australia and New Zealand 1979).
