Far Far Away (song)
Encyclopedia
"Far Far Away" is a single
from rock band Slade
which appeared on the album Slade in Flame
. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
and bassist Jim Lea
. The single was released in 1974 and peaked at #2 in the UK, spending 6 weeks on the chart and 5 weeks in the top 10.
The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in November 1974.
The single peaked at #63 for 1974 on rateyourmusic and #4886 for overall singles.
. The single was originally released on 7" vinyl. It was re-released in Germany in 1993 as a CD single as well as a 7" vinyl.
In recent times, Far Far Away has been chosen to get Slade back in the UK charts through a Facebook group.
As referenced in singer Noddy Holder's biography, Far Far Away remains his favourite Slade song.
Holder originally came up with the lyrics while standing on a balcony overlooking the Mississippi river in Memphis. Manager Chas Chandler
inspired Holder to complete the song. Jim contributed the chorus to Holder's verse.
In 2011, the song was performed live on German TV by the current lineup of Slade featuring original members guitarist Dave Hill and drummer Don Powell with bassist John Berry and vocalist Mal McNulty.
The Record Mirror polls of early 1975 voted "Far Far Away" as number one in the top single poll.
In a early 1986 Slade fan club magazine interview, guitarist Dave Hill spoke of the song's lyrics. "The song was written about being abroad wasn't it? 'Yellow lights go down the Missisippi' and all that - being in the States and wanting to go back home. They were just experiences. Obviously, when you are on the road, you are writing about being on the road, you're writing about what's going on."
The song was originally titled "Letting Loose Around The World".
"Far Far Away" was voted #2 of the top three Slade single sleeves in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
". They therefore used the film crew to record this video. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea couldn't recall whether it was Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine who actually directed the video. The video featured the group performing the song whilst wearing the 'Flame' outfits, and using the camera trick of each member's face appearing seven times on the screen and revolving in a circular manner.
7" Single (German 1993 reissue)
CD Single (German 1993 issue)
CD Single (German 1993 issue, cardboard version)
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from rock band Slade
Slade
Slade are an English rock band from Wolverhampton, who rose to prominence during the glam rock era of the early 1970s. With 17 consecutive Top 20 hits and six number ones, the British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles...
which appeared on the album Slade in Flame
Slade in Flame (album)
Slade in Flame was an album by the British rock group Slade released on November 29, 1974. The album contained songs from the film of the same name....
. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
Noddy Holder
Neville John "Noddy" Holder MBE is an English musician and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist with the rock band Slade....
and bassist Jim Lea
Jim Lea
Jim Lea , is an English musician, most notable for playing bass guitar, keyboards, violin, guitar, and singing backing vocals in Slade.-Career:...
. The single was released in 1974 and peaked at #2 in the UK, spending 6 weeks on the chart and 5 weeks in the top 10.
The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in November 1974.
The single peaked at #63 for 1974 on rateyourmusic and #4886 for overall singles.
Background
The single was released to promote the upcoming film titled Slade in FlameSlade In Flame
Slade In Flame is a 1975 film starring the members of the band Slade. In 2007, BBC film critic Mark Kermode called it the "Citizen Kane of rock musicals" and included its soundtrack among the 50 greatest soundtracks in cinema's history.Record Mirror magazine voted the film at #4 on the top 10...
. The single was originally released on 7" vinyl. It was re-released in Germany in 1993 as a CD single as well as a 7" vinyl.
In recent times, Far Far Away has been chosen to get Slade back in the UK charts through a Facebook group.
As referenced in singer Noddy Holder's biography, Far Far Away remains his favourite Slade song.
Holder originally came up with the lyrics while standing on a balcony overlooking the Mississippi river in Memphis. Manager Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
inspired Holder to complete the song. Jim contributed the chorus to Holder's verse.
In 2011, the song was performed live on German TV by the current lineup of Slade featuring original members guitarist Dave Hill and drummer Don Powell with bassist John Berry and vocalist Mal McNulty.
The Record Mirror polls of early 1975 voted "Far Far Away" as number one in the top single poll.
In a early 1986 Slade fan club magazine interview, guitarist Dave Hill spoke of the song's lyrics. "The song was written about being abroad wasn't it? 'Yellow lights go down the Missisippi' and all that - being in the States and wanting to go back home. They were just experiences. Obviously, when you are on the road, you are writing about being on the road, you're writing about what's going on."
The song was originally titled "Letting Loose Around The World".
"Far Far Away" was voted #2 of the top three Slade single sleeves in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
Music video
At the time this video was being made, Slade were involved in the filming of "Slade in FlameSlade In Flame
Slade In Flame is a 1975 film starring the members of the band Slade. In 2007, BBC film critic Mark Kermode called it the "Citizen Kane of rock musicals" and included its soundtrack among the 50 greatest soundtracks in cinema's history.Record Mirror magazine voted the film at #4 on the top 10...
". They therefore used the film crew to record this video. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea couldn't recall whether it was Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine who actually directed the video. The video featured the group performing the song whilst wearing the 'Flame' outfits, and using the camera trick of each member's face appearing seven times on the screen and revolving in a circular manner.
Formats
7" Single- "Far Far Away" - 3:33
- "O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday" - 3:51
7" Single (German 1993 reissue)
- "Far Far Away" - 3:33
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26
CD Single (German 1993 issue)
- "Far Far Away" - 3:34
- "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" - 3:41
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26
CD Single (German 1993 issue, cardboard version)
- "Far Far Away" - 3:34
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26
Critical reception
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single. "Want a surprise? Then listen to this Slade single which is taken from the forthcoming film Flame. This is a very melodic Noddy, no screaming or shouting - practically gentle by Slade standards, but it's very good, strong chorus line and backing. Just the name Slade normally means an instant hit, in this case, it'll be a well deserved hit."Chart performance
| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 23 | |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 20 | 5 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 13 | 7 |
| French Singles Chart | 49 | 10 |
| German Singles Chart | 8 | 15 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 2 | 5 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 16 | |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 1 | 25 |
| UK Singles Chart | 2 | 6 |
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 19 | 18 |
Cover versions
- In 1993, the electronic band Red 2 recorded a cover of the song and released it as a single in Germany and Belgium.
- In 1996, the reformed version of glam rock band MudMud (band)Mud were an English glam rock band, formed in February 1968, best remembered for their single "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974...
performed the track live. - In 1999, Denmark band Pretty Maids recorded a version for their album First Cuts... and Then Some.
- In 2006, Denmark band Fenders recorded a cover of the song on their album It's Magic - hits fra 70'erne.
- Other versions known are from numerous artists and bands including Rock Ghosts, The Cloggs, Vilperin Perinkunta, Jorma Lehtelä , SAPO, Miljoonasade, Danny (the big D), Daily Terror, Andre Verhage, Mongo Raxx, Dr Rock, and Akrain.
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar, organ and backing vocals
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar and backing vocals
- Don Powell: Drums