# big science (laurie anderson album) ![[laurieandersonbigscience.jpg|300]] studio album by laurie anderson released: april 19 1982 june 18 2007 (reissue) recorded: the lobby the hit factory new york city genre: art pop- electronic- minimalism length: 38:19 label: warner bros.- nonesuch- elektra producer: laurie anderson- roma baran laurie anderson chronology: you're the guy i want to share my money with (1981)\ big science (1982)\ mister heartbreak (1984)\ singles from big science 1. "o superman" released: october 1981 (uk) big science is the debut studio album by american performance artist and musician laurie anderson. it was the first of a seven-album deal anderson signed with warner bros. records. the album consists of a selection of musical highlights from ir eight-hour production united states live which was itself released as a 5-lp box set and book in 1984 the album is best known for the single "o superman" which unexpectedly reached no. 2 in the uk after being discovered and promoted by bbc dj john peel. after big science music played a larger role in anderson's work although considered ir debut album anderson had previously recorded one side of a 2-lp set titled you're the guy i want to share my money with a collaboration released on giorno poetry systems with william s. burroughs and john giorno. they had also contributed two pieces to a 1977 compilation of electronic music an alternate mix of "let x=x" was released as a flexi disc in the february issue of artforum earlier in 1982. a sleeve for the disc could be cut out from the magazine and assembled a newly remastered version of the album was released on 18 june 2007 by nonesuch/elektra records with new liner notes the bonus track "walk the dog" (the b-side of the original "o superman" single) and the "o superman" music video slant magazine listed the album at #44 on its list of "best albums of the 1980s." in 2018 pitchfork listed the album at #22 on its list of the "200 best albums of the 1980s" laurie anderson enjoyed a surprise popular hit in the united kingdom with "o superman" in 1981. ir subsequent albums big science and mister heartbreak each sold between 100000 and 125000 copies in the united states and even the five-record united states - live sold 40000 according to elliot abbott anderson's manager and the executive producer of home of the brave. as of 1983 the album had sold 150000 copies worldwide all words and music by laurie anderson 1. "from the air" - 4:29 2. "big science" - 6:25 3. "sweaters" - 2:18 4. "walking & falling" - 2:10 5. "born never asked" - 4:56 6. "o superman (for massenet)" - 8:21 7. "example #22" - 2:59 8. "let x=x/it tango" - 6:52 "o superman" mixed at the lobby; originally released on one ten records "example #22" special thanks to paranormals medeline vester gerhard rozhek coretta atteroc shelley karson "let x=x" original version appeared in artforum february 1982 **+** laurie anderson - vocals roland vp-330 farfisa organ percussion oberheim ob-xa sticks violins electronics keyboards handclaps whistling marimba cover artwork **+** roma baran - farfisa bass glass harmonica sticks handclaps casiotone accordion whistling **+** perry hoberman - flute saxophone piccolo backing vocals bottles and sticks handclaps assistant producer art direction **+** bill obrecht - alto saxophone **+** peter gordon - clarinet tenor saxophone **+** david van tieghem - drums rototoms timpani marimba percussion additional personnel **+** rufus harley - bagpipes (3) **+** chuck fisher - alto and tenor saxophones (7) **+** richard cohen - clarinets bassoon baritone saxophone (7) **+** leanne ungar - engineer backing vocals (7) **+** george e. lewis - trombones "special thanks to patty anderson lester bangs robert coe anton fier charles holland geraldine pontius greg shifrin and gail turner" // republic of bob