"Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" is a song by David Bowie. It was recorded for Paul Schrader's 1982 remake of the film Cat People with producer Giorgio Moroder.

Schrader engaged Bowie for a theme song in 1981, with Moroder having already recorded most of the music. Bowie was to put lyrics to the main theme. The words only had a basic relation to the film. The B-side is a Moroder-only instrumental which featured no input from Bowie.

The song itself, in keeping with the dark tone of the film, has some slight goth rock influences, with Bowie singing in a deep croon while being backed up by a female chorus, a combination that The Sisters of Mercy would commonly employ years later.

Due to Moroder's contract, the single was issued by MCA. The full-length version would appear on the soundtrack album, and the 12" single, while a 4:08 edited version was made for the 7" release. The single would reach #26 in the UK, and #67 in the US - Bowie's biggest hit there since "Golden Years". It peaked at #1 in New Zealand, remaining there for three weeks. It was also #1 in Norway for seven consecutive weeks, and then returned to the top for a further week.

The single was released three separate times by MCA. First with "Cat People" as the A-side, then again two months later with "Paul's Theme" as the A-side, and finally in November 1982 with "Cat People" back on the A-side. Notable contribution as orchestrator was made by Hungarian-born composer, Sylvester Levay.

In 1983, Bowie would re-record the song for his Let's Dance album. This version would also be released as the B-side to the title track's single release, and be performed on Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour.

Track listing

7": MCA / MCA 770 (UK)

1. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" (Bowie, Moroder) – 4:08
2. "Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase)" (Moroder) – 3:51

12": MCA / MCAT 770 (UK)

1. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" (Bowie, Moroder) – 6:41
2. "Paul's Theme (Jogging Chase)" (Moroder) – 3:51

12": MCA / DS 12087 (Australia)

1. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" (Bowie, Moroder) – 4:08
2. "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" (Bowie, Moroder) – 9:20
3. label states running time of 6:41, but is actually 9:20

Production credits

• Producers:
• Giorgio Moroder

• Musicians:
• David Bowie: Vocals
• Giorgio Moroder: Synthesizer

Other releases

• The "Let's Dance" version was released as the B-side of the single "Let's Dance" in March 1983.
• It also appeared on the compilation Bowie: The Singles 1969-1993 in 1993.
• The "Let's Dance" version contains lead guitar work by a then little-known Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Cover versions

• Big Electric Cat - Goth Oddity: A Tribute to David Bowie (1999)
• Cruciform - Goth Oddity 2000: A Tribute to David Bowie (2000)
• Terror Pop - Live recording
• Tina Turner
• Gosling for the Underworld: Evolution Soundtrack
• Danzig - The Lost Tracks of Danzig (2007)
• Krust - for the Long Time Dead Soundtrack

References