David Bowie's iconic 'Heroes' is latest single from the Original Cast Recording of Just for One Day

The iconic David Bowie song that provides the title for London’s latest must-see musical has been released as a single. Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical is at the Shaftesbury Theatre and was described by Rolling Stone UK as ‘the most fun in the West End right now’. ‘Heroes’, from the original cast recording, is released today, with the album out on July 11.

Bowie wrote the song in 1977 with Brian Eno, inspired by a kiss next to the Berlin Wall at the height of the Cold War.

The musical’s version of the song, which Bowie performed at Live Aid on July 13 1985, is a powerful rock take on a classic, bringing together an outstanding chorus of voices.

As David Bowie’s PR, Alan Edwards was backstage at Wembley throughout Live Aid on July 13 1985. He said: “After the success of ‘Let’s Dance’ and the Serious Moonlight tour, Bowie was at the absolute Zenith of his career. He was a global superstar and a ‘must have’ for an event like this. He jumped at the opportunity.”

The performance on the day included brilliant versions of ‘Heroes’ and ‘Rebel Rebel’, both of which feature in Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical.

Bowie was backstage throughout and Alan Edwards said: “David was soaking it all up. Not overawed, he was really used to stadium rock, as many of the bill were not.

“Of course, his biggest contribution of the day may have been giving me five minutes of his set so that a video of the famine in Ethiopia could be screened, bringing in millions of pounds.”

Bowie was due to close his set with ‘Five Years’, whose message of the threat to humanity would not have been lost on the Live Aid audience. Instead, a heartbreaking video was shown of the scene in Ethiopia, soundtracked by The Cars ‘Drive’. Viewers around the world responded with an influx of donations.

The vital work of the Band Aid Trust continues and 10% of proceeds from the show and the cast recording goes to the cause.

Another planned performance at Live Aid was also cancelled. A duet of ‘Dancing in the Street’ with Bowie in London and Mick Jagger in Philadelphia was deemed unviable due to delays on the satellite link.

Rather than being a recreation of Live Aid, Just For One Day uses the music to tell the story of how this legendary gig came together and became an iconic moment in late 20th century history.

Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical (Original Cast Recording) - out on July 11 - is a fully realised rock record, available to preorder now, with songs by artists including Queen, David Bowie, Ultravox, Boomtown Rats, U2, Elton John, The Police, The Who, Madonna, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan and more.

The record was announced on 1st May, 2025 by Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Harvey Goldsmith and John Kennedy as they gathered at Wembley Stadium nearly 40 years after the groundbreaking concert. It is a love letter to the ‘80s – a time of bold anthems, raw emotion, and an unshakable belief in music’s power to change the world. This is not only a reworking of these legendary tracks, it’s a celebration of their lasting impact, recorded in the same spaces as many of the original iconic songs.

The album, produced by Olivier nominated arranger Matthew Brind and Jon Bath, and engineered by Grammy-nominated Jeremy Murphy, boasts a modern, expansive sound while staying true to the energy and emotion of the originals.

The show continues its celebrated run at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre and will mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid on 13 July 2025 with a special gala performance and afterparty at KOKO, Camden. Limited tickets are available with a generous additional contribution to the Band Aid Charitable Trust. For more information on this, and all other performances, click HERE.

Producer Jamie Wilson said: “From the outset, our aim with Just For One Day was to capture the spirit of unity and the transformative power of music that defined Live Aid. The cast album is a testament to that vision, bringing together timeless songs and heartfelt performances that resonate across generations. It's more than just a recording; it's a celebration of a moment when the world came together through music.”

10% of all ticket sales for Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical will go directly to the Band Aid Charitable Trust to continue their vital work, to date the musical has raised over 850,000.

Heroes Available to Listen On:

• Apple Music

• Amazon

• Deezer

• iTunes

• Pandora

• Spotify

• YouTube Music

Album Formats:

• Double Vinyl

• Double CD

• Digital

Album Release Date: 11th July, 2025

Distributed by Absolute Label Services

Tracklisting:

1. Overture

2. Heroes

3. Rat Trap (featuring Craige Els)

4. Drive (featuring Abiona Omonua)

5. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (featuring Jack Shalloo)

6. Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Feed The World)

7. Radio Ga Ga

8. Stop Your Sobbing (featuring Julie Atherton)

9. We Are The Champions (featuring Collette Guitart & Jo Foster)

10. We Are The World

11. You’re The Best Thing (featuring Emily Ooi)

12. I’m Still Standing (featuring Craige Els & Julie Atherton)

13. Bad

14. Message In A Bottle

15. Pinball Wizard (featuring Joel Montague)

16. Dancing In The Streets (featuring Danielle Steers & Ashley Campbell)

17. Summer of ’69 (featuring Collette Guitart)

18. Blowing In The Wind

19. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) (featuring Julie Atherton)

20. In The Air Tonight / We Can’t We Live Together (featuring James Hameed, Danielle Steers & Ashley Campbell)

21. We Will Rock You / King Of Rock (featuring Olly Dobson & Tamara Tare)

22. Rockin’ All Over The World (featuring Olly Dobson)

23. Vienna (featuring Jack Shalloo)

24. I Don’t Like Mondays (featuring Craige Els)

25. All You Need Is Love (featuring Jason Battersby)

26. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (featuring Joel Montague)

27. Rebel Rebel / Don’t You (Forget About Me) / Into The Grove (featuring Jo Foster, Rhys Wilkinson and Tamara Tare)

28. Bohemian Rhapsody (featuring Freddie Love)

29. My Generation (featuring Naomi Katiyo)

30. Let It Be