“Heroes” was originally released by RCA Records as the title track on David Bowie’s album of the same name, which came out on 14 October 1977. It went on to re-chart in the UK, this time peaking at number 12 as well as hitting number 11 amongst Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs. It also charted for the first time in a number of other countries and broke the top 10 in France and Scotland. Furthermore, it didn’t really impress in the United States. However, following Bowie’s death in 2016, it was his most-streamed song on Spotify. Success of “Heroes” after Bowie’s DeathĪlthough “Heroes” is considered one of David Bowie’s signature songs, it was not really very commercially successful at the time of its release. This is illustrated by the fact that when it did first come out (as a single) on 23 September 1977, it only managed to peak at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.
The couple hid their affair not because they were from two different sides of the Wall but rather because Visconti was married to another woman at the time. The inspiration for the story behind “Heroes” was Bowie observing Visconti kissing his lover next to the Berlin Wall adjacent to a gun turret. Their affair was apparently secretive. This song was written by David Bowie himself. He also co-produced it alongside Tony Visconti.
