CAT PEOPLE (PUTTING OUT FIRE)

-- First review -- The erotic horror movie Cat People, directed by Paul Schrader, starring Nastassja Kinski and Malcolm McDowell, was a remake of a 1942 film directed by Jacques Tourneur. I haven't seen the remake, and frankly I'm not interested in it either. The electronica-oriented soundtrack was composed and performed by Italian-born Giorgio Moroder, and undoubtedly it's the theme song (subtitled 'Putting Out Fire') sung by David Bowie that's best remembered of the whole movie. Moroder composed it and Bowie wrote lyrics. Bowie also re-recorded the song for his album Let's Dance (1983). It's a tight and exciting pop song with a dramatic edge, and as such pretty good. It had a big hit appeal and Bowie performed it in his Serious Moonlight tour.

The B-side contains 'Paul's Theme', an electrified and dramatic synth piece. It has a slight resemblance to the 80's Tangerine Dream or Jean Michel Jarre at their catchiest, but the basic rhythm pattern comes closer to the world of disco, naturally: Moroder is dubbed as "the Father of Disco". It's a bit awkward to rate this single on a prog site, but I don't let that disturb me. A solid and effective pop single, no less. The following years saw David Bowie not only singing the theme songs but also acting in several movies.

* I started this year-by-year series in the New Year's Eve. In particular it was inspiring to focus on unreviewed releases [most of the 7" singles plus one album]. Covering the years 1963-1982, this is the full list: The Beatles: She Loves You 7" and A Hard Day's Night 7"; The Moody Blues: Everyday 7" and Boulevard de la Madeleine 7"; The Doors: Break On Through 7"; Genesis: A Winter's Tale 7"; Wigwam: Must Be the Devil 7"; Beggars Opera: Act One; Audience: The House on the Hill; Matching Mole: O Caroline 7"; Queen: Keep Yourself Alive 7"; Robert Wyatt: I'm a Believer 7"; Fruupp: Modern Masquerades; Carpe Diem: En Regardant Passer le Temps; Peter Gabriel: Modern Love 7"; Anthony Phillips: We're All As We Lie 7"; Farout: Further Out; Kate Bush: Babooshka 7"; Styx: Too Much Time on My Hands 7"; David Bowie: Cat People 7".

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