What was the title of David Bowie's first single, released in 1964?

David Bowie’s first single, released in 1964, was “Liza Jane.” It was credited to Davie Jones with the King Bees, before he adopted the stage name David Bowie.

Released on 5 June 1964 by Vocalion Pop, the single paired “Liza Jane” with a version of “Louie, Louie Go Home.” Bowie was 17, and the recording came from a seven-hour session at Decca Studios in London. The song was produced by Leslie Conn, who also received the songwriting credit.

“Liza Jane” drew on the older standard “Li’l Liza Jane,” reshaped into an energetic rhythm-and-blues performance. Although Bowie and the King Bees promoted it on British television and received radio play, the record sold poorly and the band was dropped by the label.

A common mix-up is treating “I Pity the Fool” as Bowie’s first single. That was a later 1965 release with the Manish Boys; “You’ve Got a Habit of Leaving” followed with the Lower Third.