Where Are We Now?

The backing track was recorded at the Magic Shop in New York on 13 September 2011, and Bowie sang the lead vocal on 22 October 2011. It was released on iTunes on 8 January 2013, his 66th birthday, with no promotion at all, and a video by Tony Oursler appeared the same morning. Visconti said it was Bowie's idea to drop it at midnight on his birthday and let things avalanche. Alan Edwards, his UK publicist, was told only four days in advance. Bowie made no media appearances, and Visconti handled the press.

The lyrics look back at his years in Berlin and name Potsdamer Platz, the department store KaDeWe and the Bosebrucke crossing. Visconti described it as the one track on the album that goes that far inward.

Reception

It reached number six on the UK singles chart, his highest placing since Absolute Beginners reached number two in 1986, and it was his last UK top ten hit before his death. Eric Clapton wrote to thank him for the song. Bowie replied with a thanks for the shoutout, old sock, and Clapton went on to name his album Old Sock. Pitchfork named it Best New Track.