(1993) and on the DVD version of Best of Bowie (2002). In 2001, the full-length 4:50 album version of the song was included on the 5-track CD I Am Iman, personally compiled by Bowie as a promotional device packaged with initial copies of his wife Iman's 2001 autobiography of the same name. Reception Rolling Stone called the song a "hidden gem" of Bowie's career and included "As the World Falls Down" on its list of 30 essential Bowie songs, describing it as a "sparkling, subdued ballad...which intermingles a tender vocal performance from Bowie and a sinewy bass line with glassy New Romantic synths". The A.V. Club considered it the best song from Labyrinth, and wrote that it "cater[s] in heartfelt empathy, using classic pop chord progressions to relate the joys and pain of love." Smooth Radio chose "As the World Falls Down" as number 11 on its ranking of Bowie's 20 greatest songs, and argued that it "deserves to be considered amongst Bowie's finest ever songs". Newsweek deemed the song "pure 80s cheese", conceding that "it does have a lovely chorus" however. Gigwise named the song as one of "the 50 best ever original songs made for movies". According to Bowie biographer David Buckley in 2015, "As the World Falls Down" was in the top 30 highest-selling Bowie songs on iTunes in the United Kingdom, and the Labyrinth soundtrack was Bowie's third-best selling iTunes album. At the time of Bowie's death in 2016, the song was the 32nd highest-selling Bowie UK download. Personnel Credits per biographer Chris O'Leary: David Bowie – vocals, backing vocals, producer Arif Mardin – producer Nicky Moroch – lead guitar Jeff Mironov – lead and rhythm guitar Will Lee – bass Steve Ferrone – drums Robbie Buchanan – keyboards, synthesiser, programming, guitars, keyboards, arranger Robin Beck – backing vocals Cover versions Lights — We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie (2010). Their cover used the title "World Falls Down". Girl In a Coma — Adventures in Coverland (2010) Signe Tollefsen — Baggage (EP) (2011) Daniel Boaventura — One More Kiss (2014) Grace Potter — "As the World Falls Down" (2016). Initially released only as a video on her YouTube channel and social media as a tribute to Bowie following his death earlier that year; later released on the single "We'll Be Alright" (2020). Vitamin String Quartet — Geek Wedding Vol 2: The Sequel