Wednesday 18th September 2013 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by Press/WENN

Tags: Arcade Fire, David Bowie

Arcade Fire have spoken out about their collaboration with David Bowie on their new single 'Reflektor' - claiming that the Thin White Duke threatened to steal the track from them. 

The Canadian band dropped the title track from their upcoming fourth album last week to huge acclaim from critics and fans alike. 'Reflektor' was produced by former LCD frontman and DFA founder James Murphy, and features David Bowie on guest backing vocals. 

Speaking to NME, band member Richard Reed successfully coaxed the 'Heroes' superstar into the studio, before he gave them an ultimatum and warned them that he might take it from them.

"He basically came by the studio in New York while we were mixing, just to have a listen to the stuff we were doing," said Reed. "He offered to lend us his services because he really liked the song.

''In fact, he basically threatened us - he was like, 'If you don't hurry up and mix this song, I might just steal it from you!' So we thought, well why don't you sing on our version? Thankfully he obliged, and we were really happy about that."

Watch the video for 'Reflektor' below:

A vinyl single of 'Reflektor' was released as a very limited 2-track 12" in participating record stores last weekt, with an instrumental of the A-side on the reverse. The album is due for release on 29 October, after the band perform material from the LP on US TV show Saturday Night Live on 28 September. 

Meanwhile, David Bowie's 2013 comeback record was recently nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. 

Below: Arcade Fire and more perform live at Electric Picnic festival 2011