V-2 Schneider

It was a tribute to Florian Schneider,^[3] co-founder of the band Kraftwerk, whom Bowie acknowledged as a significant influence at the time.^[4] The title also referenced the V-2 rocket, the first ballistic missile, which had been developed for the German Army during World War II, and whose design (and engineers) played a key role in the American space program.^[5]

The only words sung are those in the title, initially distorted by phasing.^[1] Musically, the track is unusual for the off-beat saxophone work by Bowie, who kicked off his part on the wrong note,^[6] but continued regardless.^[7]

A live version recorded during the Earthling Tour at Paradiso, Amsterdam in June 1997, was released as the B-side of the single "Pallas Athena" in August 1997, under the name Tao Jones Index.^[8] This version also appeared on the bonus disc for the Digibook Expanded Edition of Earthling.

• It appeared on the compilation Chameleon (Australia and New Zealand 1979).
• It was featured in the film Christiane F. and its soundtrack.
• It was released as a picture disc in the RCA Life Time picture disc set.
• It was included on the Bowie instrumental album All Saints.

• Philip Glass – "Heroes" Symphony (1996)
• Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps – 2000 repertoire
• Shearwater – as part of a live performance of the entire Berlin Trilogy for WNYC (2018)^[9]

• Buckley, David (2005) [1999]. Strange Fascination – David Bowie: The Definitive Story. London: Virgin Books. ISBN 978-0-75351-002-5.
• Doggett, Peter (2012). The Man Who Sold the World: David Bowie and the 1970s. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-06-202466-4.
• O'Leary, Chris (2019). Ashes to Ashes: The Songs of David Bowie 1976–2016. London: Repeater Books. ISBN 978-1-91224-830-8.