Little Wonder (song)


"Little Wonder" is a song and single by David Bowie, from the 1997 album Earthling. It was the album's biggest hit, reaching number 14 in the UK. At the 1998 Brit Awards, the song was nominated for Best British Video.

Background

Bowie uses the names of all seven dwarfs in the lyrics. The sampled spoken line "If it's good to ya, it's gotta be good for ya" during the instrumental break, comes from the spoken intro of a live Steely Dan song called "Bodhisattva" from the Citizen Steely Dan box. Two main interpretations to the lyrics are given by James E. Perone, who writes that the song may simply represent some characteristics of Bowie's own personality or, in another case, an alien observing aspects of the life on Earth. The drum break is sampled from The Winstons instrumental, "Amen, Brother", a popular drum solo and sample commonly referred to as the "Amen break". The chord progression is similar to an early David Bowie song, "Can't Help Thinking About Me."
TitleMix and additional productionDurationAdditional credits and notes
Album VersionMark Plati6:02
EditMark Plati3:40
Censored Video EditMark Plati4:09Released on 2004 Earthling 2 CD.
Ambient Junior MixJunior Vasquez9:55Programmed by Frederick Jorio.
Club Dub Junior MixJunior Vasquez8:10Programmed by Frederick Jorio.
4/4 Junior MixJunior Vasquez8:10Programmed by Frederick Jorio.
Juniors Club InstrumentalJunior Vasquez8:14Programmed by Frederick Jorio.
Danny Saber MixDanny Saber3:06Cello by David Coleman, sonic hair and make up by John X.
Danny Saber Dance MixDanny Saber5:30Cello by David Coleman, sonic hair and make up by John X.

Track listings

UK CD version one

  1. "Little Wonder " – 3:40
  2. "Little Wonder " – 9:55
  3. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  4. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  5. "Little Wonder " – 8:14

    UK CD version two (limited edition)

  6. "Little Wonder " – 3:40
  7. "Telling Lies " – 3:58
  8. "Jump They Say " – 7:40
  9. "Little Wonder " – 3:06

    US CD version

  10. "Little Wonder " – 6:02
  11. "Little Wonder " – 9:55
  12. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  13. "Little Wonder " – 5:30

    European CD version one

  14. "Little Wonder " – 6:02
  15. "Little Wonder " – 9:55
  16. "Little Wonder " – 3:06
  17. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  18. "Little Wonder " – 8:10

    European CD version two

  19. "Little Wonder " – 3:40
  20. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  21. "Telling Lies " – 3:58

    European CD version three

  22. "Little Wonder " – 3:40
  23. "Telling Lies " – 3:58

    Japanese CD version

  24. "Little Wonder " – 3:40
  25. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  26. "Little Wonder " – 3:06
  27. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  28. "Little Wonder " – 8:10

    UK 12" version

  29. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  30. "Little Wonder " – 5:30
  31. "Telling Lies " – 3:58

    European 12" version

  32. "Little Wonder " – 8:10
  33. "Little Wonder " – 5:30
An additional three promo CD singles were also released.

Production credits

;Producer
;Musicians

Music video

The music video for "Little Wonder" was directed by Floria Sigismondi an Italian-Canadian photographer and director. It is set in a dystopian world of mutants, depicting rapid-pace shots of Bowie as an aging Ziggy Stardust and Halloween Jack wandering the New York streets and subways. The video includes video sculptures by the artist, Tony Oursler. Bowie has said of Sigismondi's work, "I thought she just has a wonderful eye, great textures, fabulous cutting." The video is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York.