In this exclusive interview, the multiple-award-winning musician, producer, songwriter and Chic co-founder, Nile Rodgers dives into the creative process behind David Bowie’s chart-topping single “Let’s Dance” (1983).
Rodgers reveals how he transformed Bowie’s original folk-inspired guitar piece into a global 80s dance rock anthem, featuring funk-infused arrangements and a legendary guitar solo by Stevie Ray Vaughan. Nile explores his creative process as a collaborator and producer, telling us exactly when he knew it was a hit and how he pulled the iconic arrangement together.
Rodgers also reflects on producing Bowie’s 1993 album Black Tie White Noise, revealing the different artistic ambitions that shaped their collaborations across decades.
- 00:00 Nile Rodgers - on competing with your past success
- 00:19 David Bowie plays the earliest version of Let’s Dance to Nile Rodgers
- 00:59 Why’d David Bowie call it Let’s Dance
- 01:30 How Nile Rodgers arranged Let’s Dance
- 02:57 David Bowie on Nile Rodgers’ skill as a producer
- 03:43 Nile Rodgers on his 'complicated' relationship with David Bowie
- 04:38 Nile Rodgers on what makes an artist
- 05:41 Nile Rodgers on David Bowie’s Black Tie White Noise
- 06:08 Nile Rodgers handwritten note to David Bowie on the production of You’ve Been Around for the Black Tie White Noise album in 1993
- 08:04 Nile Rodgers’ approach to producing when working with Madonna and David Bowie
Want to know more about the David Bowie & Nile Rodgers partnership? Read the article: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/lets-d...
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