"Real Cool World" is a song from the soundtrack of the American 1992 animated black comedy fantasy film Cool World. It is performed by British singer-songwriter David Bowie, and was released on 10 August 1992, representing his first new solo material since the dissolution of the band Tin Machine.

Song development

The track marked a reunion with Let's Dance producer Nile Rodgers, with whom Bowie began working in the first half of 1992. "Real Cool World" was the first song to come out of their year-long collaboration. After releasing this song, Bowie intended to go back to his band Tin Machine to record a third album, but when the band fell apart, Bowie and Rodgers instead recorded and produced the songs for Bowie's next solo album, Black Tie White Noise (1993). The song was included in the soundtrack to the film Cool World (1992).

Other releases

The song was included as a bonus track of the 2003 re-release of Black Tie White Noise, and a digital download version of the single was announced released in June 2010.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Melody Maker wrote, "'Real Cool World' sees Bowie re-united with Nile Rodgers. The strings are pretty cool and the saxophone which suddenly pops up in the home straight is wonderfully sleazy. Sadly, the quick pace of the track is a bit too much for the Thin White Duke to handle. He sounds dreadfully tired, dreadfully old."

Track listing

All tracks written by David Bowie.

Personnel

Charts