What makes Time Will Crawl by David Bowie notable?

The album features the extended dance mix of 'Time Will Crawl', which became a hit on dance charts, reflecting Bowie's influence on the evolving electronic and dance music scenes. Its critical reception was mixed, but it solidified Bowie's continued relevance by appealing to both club audiences and longtime fans. Released in 1987, 'Time Will Crawl' marked David Bowie's return to the music scene after a brief hiatus following the less commercially successful 'Tonight'. This single served as a pivotal moment in his career, re-establishing him as a relevant artist in the late 80s pop landscape and showcasing his ability to adapt to changing musical trends.

How many songs are on Time Will Crawl?

Time Will Crawl has 4 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

Time Will Crawl

David Bowie · 1987

20 min · 4 tracks · alternative rock

A blend of ambient textures and polished pop, evoking a sense of introspection amidst the dance floor's pulse.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Time Will Crawl (extended dance mix) — This version amplifies the song's hypnotic rhythm and showcases Bowie's adaptability to the emerging electronic soundscape of the time.
→
Time Will Crawl (LP version) — The LP version captures the poignant lyrical content while blending art rock with a new wave aesthetic, emphasizing Bowie's narrative style.
→
Girls (extended edit) — 'Girls' highlights Bowie's playful side with catchy hooks and an infectious energy, representing his exploration of pop sensibilities during this era.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single features contrasting mixes and arrangements but lacks strong cohesion as a standalone work.

What we noticed

The extended dance mix of 'Time Will Crawl' features a prominent electronic beat that drives the track, creating a danceable rhythm.
The LP version includes more ambient textures and a slower tempo, contrasting with the upbeat nature of the extended mix.
Both versions of 'Girls' showcase different arrangements, with the extended edit emphasizing rhythmic elements while the Japanese version offers a unique vocal delivery.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked Bowie's return with a hit, reinforcing his relevance in the evolving music scene.
Themes: neon-lit uncertainty· post-cold war anxiety
Career context: Released in 1987, 'Time Will Crawl' marked David Bowie's return to the music scene after a brief hiatus following the less commercially successful 'Tonight'. This single served as a pivotal moment in his career, re-establishing him as a relevant artist in the late 80s pop landscape and showcasing his ability to adapt to changing musical trends.
Stylistic neighbors: Brian Eno· Roxy Music· Talking Heads