1988 - Tonight 7 Inch Single

"Tonight" is a single from Tina Turner's album "Tina Live In Europe". This song was written by Iggy Pop and Tina’s long time friend David Bowie. Iggy Pop released it first in 1977 on his 2nd solo album “Lust For Life".
The original song was about a lover who died from an overdose of heroin. David changed the song into a beautiful love song, influenced with Reggae. The song now was about a couple coming together for a beautiful night of romance without any disturbances. David didn’t want Tina to sing about a drug victim.
Then David recorded the song for his “Tonight" album. He invited Tina to record the song with him. David Bowie was no stranger to Tina. David followed Tina over the years and always said that she was his favourite artist. However for this particular recording, David sure was very nervous to welcome Tina. Everything had to be perfect for her. After a day in the studio, Tina, David and a few others went out for dinner that night and Tina and David learned a lot from each other’s personal lifes. They found out that they both were practising Buddhism and it became a great meeting. David wasn’t so nervous anymore and after a few drinks, it became a fun evening with much laughter.
The original recorded version was released in 1984 but wasn’t a huge success. It was released as a 7" single and 12" single and has some mixes as well.

 

 

These are some of the Remixes.
"Tonight" 7" Single Edit – 3.43 min.
"Tonight (Vocal Dance Mix)" – 4.29 min.
"Tonight (Dub Mix)" – 4.18 min.

 

 

Tina invited David during the Private Dancer Tour in Birmingham, to sing their song together. This concert was taped on VHS and is known as “Tina Live The Private Dancer Tour" 1985. Tina came out in a beautiful dramatic dress which was made by Azzedine Alaia. Tina introduced the song to the audience and as a so called surprise David Bowie came out of the blue, as a white prince charming to sing with Tina. The audience became completely crazy, when the both were singing and dancing romantic together. Timmy Capello, Tina’s saxophonist, plays a dramatic saxophone solo during their dance and the song was complete. It wasn’t the only song they performed together. They’ve also performed "Let’s Dance". Tina already enclosed the original song in her setlist, but David released his hit song which was also called “Let’s Dance". They’ve sang both versions in a medley together and the magic of this dream couple was like fireworks on the 4th of July. Even personally between David and Tina has been some fireworks. David told the world in his autobiographical book that he and Tina have had a night of good loving before they performed together.
Tina released the live version of "Tonight" in 1988 as a single for her album "Tina Live In Europe". The single was a massive hit in Belgium and even topped the charts in Poland and The Netherlands. It was Tina’s first and only number 1 hit in The Netherlands. "Tonight" was recorded live in 1985 and of course they’ve used the magic live video of Tina and David together in Birmingham.

 

 

The single was released as a 7" single, 12" singe and cd single.
The B-side was a live recording of "River Deep Mountain High" which was also included on the “Tina Live In Europe" album.
David passed away at the age of 69 last January (2016). Unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer and suffered from it. Tina was heartbroken. She reacted “A piece of my heart has broken. Not only was David a passionate supporter of my career but more importantly a very special person in my life. An icon. Irreplaceable loving friend. I am missing him greatly". David and Tina were friends until the end and David even attended her wedding with Erwin. We Tina Fans will never forget the contribution of David Bowie to Tina’s career and the Icon he was. We all will see you in heaven David.

 

 

Track Listing
"Tonight" - 4.15 min.
"River Deep Mountain High" - 4.12 min.

Released: 1988
Genre: Pop
Length: 4.15 min.
Label: Capitol
Writers: "Tonight live" - I. Pop and D. Bowie
"River Deep Mountain High live" – P. Spector, J, Barry and E. Greenwich
Producer: Terry Britten

Chart Positions (1988–1989)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) – 3
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) – 70
Germany (Official German Charts) – 39
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) – 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) - 17

 

Source: Wikipedia and Discogs

1975 - Under my thumb
1975 - Whole lotta love
1976 - Acid Queen
1978 - Root Toot Undisputable Rock 'n Roller
1978 - Viva la money
1978 - Sometimes When We Touch
1979 - Fruits of the Night
1979 - Music keeps me dancin'
1979 - Backstabbers
1980 - Are you breaking my heart
1982 - Ball of confusion
1983 - Lets Stay Together
1984 - Help
1984 - What's love got to do with it?
1984 - Better be good to me
1984 - Private Dancer
1984 - I can't stand the rain
1985 - Show some respect
1985 - We don't need another hero - Mad Max
1985 - One of the living
1985 - It's only love - with Bryan Adams
1986 - Typical Male
1986 - Back where you started
1986 - Two People
1987 - Girls
1987 - What you get is what you see
1987 - Break every rule
1987 - Paradise is here - Special Edition
1987 - Tearing us apart - with Eric Clapton
1988 - Nutbush City Limits
1988 - Tonight Live - with David Bowie
1988 - Addicted to love
1988 - A change is gonna come
1989 - The Best
1989 - I don't wanna lose you
1989 - 6345789 - with Robert Cray
1990 - Steamy Windows
1990 - Foreign Affair
1990 - Look Me in the Heart
1990 - Be Tender With Me Baby
1990 - It takes Two - with Rod Stewart
1991 - Nutbush City Limits
1991 - Way of the world
1991 - I want you near me
1991 - Love Thing
1993 - I don't wanna fight
1993 - Disco Inferno
1993 - Why must we wait until tonight?
1993 - Proud Mary
1995 - Goldeneye
1996 - On silent wings
1996 - Whatever you want
1997 - Cose della vita - with Eros Ramazzotti