I worked in a record shop from 1972 to 1977, the laughing gnome song did not see light of day until Bowie had becomke a huge star and was into the Aladin Sane era, then Decca decided to cash in and release the single, he wasn't chuffed as far as i recall.
Bowie released the laughing gnome in 1967 - it was re-released in 1973.
Everything he did up to and including Diamond dogs was brilliant, then in my opininon when he released Station to Station he sold his fans down the river. I never bought another album of his after Diamond Dogs.