Good Morning Girl

Written by: David Bowie
Recorded: 7 March 1966
Producers: Tony Hatch

Released: 1 April 1966

Personnel

David Bowie: vocals
John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson: guitar
Derek ‘Dek’ Fearnley: bass guitar
Derek ‘Chow’ Boyes: organ
John ‘Ego’ Eager: drums, vocals

‘Good Morning Girl’ was the b-side of ‘Do Anything You Say’, David Bowie’s second of three singles for the Pye label.

The single was recorded with Bowie’s band The Buzz, but was credited to Bowie alone – his first as a solo artist.

Both songs were recorded on 7 March 1966 at Pye Studios in ATV House, 40 Bryanston Street, London. The Buzz were each paid £10 for the session, which was produced by Tony Hatch.

We took over from the Lower Third. David had to make a transition over to this sort of backing. I don’t think Tony Hatch – who produced it – got it, but he let us do our thing. It was all very fresh. We rehearsed, went on TV, and made the record. It was all very quick. I didn’t think about ’til afterwards.

I don’t think Tony Hatch knew how to shape us into his kind of record, so he let David do what he did. I do like the scat thing he did on ‘Good Morning Girl’ with Chow’s organ behind it – I thought what he did was great.

I remember Tony Hatch didn’t come out – he remained behind the glass. So I didn’t have any feeling about him, he was just there. He must have been doing what producers do: booking the session. I never saw the money for that, but I don’t doubt he paid the money to Ralph Horton, our manager.

As with the previous year’s ‘Take My Tip’, ‘Good Morning Girl’ showed Bowie’s interest in jazz. Although a minor part of his career, it was a style that remained with him throughout his life, and was most thoroughly explored on his final album ★ (Blackstar).

The release

‘Do Anything You Say’ was released on 1 April 1966 in the UK, as Pye 7N 17079.

As with each of Bowie’s pre-‘Space Oddity’ singles, it was not a commercial success.