Heroes was released on 23 September 1977 as the lead single of Bowie's 12th studio album of the same name by RCA Records (as RCA / PB 11121), with a length of 3:32, and with fellow album track "V-2 Schneider" as the B-side. It subsequently appeared, with a longer length of 6:07, as the third track, between "Joe the Lion" and "Sons of the Silent Age", on the album in October the same year. Another 12" single, containing both the single and album versions, was released in the US by RCA Victor (as RCA / JD-11151) the same year. The German and French versions, titled Helden and Héros, respectively, was released by RCA (RCA / PC-9821). Despite a large promotional push, including Bowie's first live "Top of the Pops" appearance since 1973, Heroes reached only number 24 in the UK charts, and failed to make the US "Billboard" Hot 100. In Italy, the song was certified gold by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry.