Get things done: The commodification of David Bowie in 1983
Coley, Sam (2024) Get things done: The commodification of David Bowie in 1983. Popular Culture Review, 35 (1). ISSN 2831-865X
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Abstract
This paper employs David Bowie’s 1983 album Let’s Dance as a central focus to explore notions of authenticity and compromise within popular music and to question the concept of integrity for artists seeking mainstream international success. The analysis evaluates Bowie's career from a commercial standpoint, delving into the underlying financial motivations that may have influenced his creative decisions. The study utilizes a multifaceted approach, incorporating primary interviews, insights from biographical sources, and contributions from the field of Bowie studies. Furthermore, it integrates perspectives from business, marketing, and public relations theories to investigate the influences and decisions which shaped the Let's Dance phase of Bowie's career and its subsequent repercussions. The paper suggests Bowie’s mainstream reinvention in 1983 can be seen as form of creative business endeavor, demonstrating astute business instincts and entrepreneurial aptitude. Despite subjecting Bowie to allegations of 'inauthenticity' and 'selling-out,' this strategic rebranding ultimately resulted in significant wealth accumulation and the consolidation of his star status.
| Item Type: | Article | ||||||
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| Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.18278/pcr.35.1.8 | ||||||
| Dates: |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | David Bowie, Let’s Dance, Branding, 1983, Popular Music, Authenticity | ||||||
| Subjects: | CAH24 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01-05 - media studies | ||||||
| Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > College of English and Media | ||||||
| Depositing User: | Gemma Tonks | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 20 May 2024 15:23 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2024 15:12 | ||||||
| URI: | https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15498 |
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