I'm The Leader Of The Gang (I Am!)
Encyclopedia
"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" was a top hit for British
rock singer Gary Glitter
. This song reached #1 in the UK Top 40 in 1973. As a result of its popularity, Glitter's nickname became "The Leader Of The Gang", often shortened to "The Leader". Written by Gary Glitter and Mike Leander
and produced by Mike Leander, I'm The Leader Of The Gang was Glitter's first number one single in the UK, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in July 1973.
The song is a glam rock
anthem typical of Glitter's early seventies output, based on a simple mid-tempo rhythm (the so-called "Glitter Stomp") and loud chanted backing vocals (sample lyrics: "Hey!", "Come on, come on!"). Gary Glitter had a backing band, The Glitter Band
, but they did not participate in his recording sessions, and precisely who, if anyone, helped Glitter and producer/co-writer Mike Leander
in the studio remains unknown. Glitter has said in interviews that he and Leander preferred to play everything themselves, since it allowed them to record the songs as they were being written.
The song became a concert favourite with the crowd chanting the Come On, Come On refrain before Glitter took to the stage. Although Glitter's version failed to chart in the USA, the following year a version by Brownsville Station
reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
metal
band Green Jellÿ
released "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" as a duet with Hulk Hogan
. The release scored them a third Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock singer Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
. This song reached #1 in the UK Top 40 in 1973. As a result of its popularity, Glitter's nickname became "The Leader Of The Gang", often shortened to "The Leader". Written by Gary Glitter and Mike Leander
Mike Leander
Michael George Farr professionally known as Mike Leander was an arranger and record producer for Decca Records in the 1960s and Bell Records in the 1970s and worked with such artists as Marianne Faithfull, Billy Fury, Marc Bolan, Joe Cocker, The Small Faces, Van Morrison, Alan Price, Peter...
and produced by Mike Leander, I'm The Leader Of The Gang was Glitter's first number one single in the UK, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in July 1973.
The song is a glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
anthem typical of Glitter's early seventies output, based on a simple mid-tempo rhythm (the so-called "Glitter Stomp") and loud chanted backing vocals (sample lyrics: "Hey!", "Come on, come on!"). Gary Glitter had a backing band, The Glitter Band
The Glitter Band
The Glitter Band are a glam rock band from England, who initially worked as Gary Glitter's backing band under that name from 1973, when they then began releasing records of their own. They were unofficially known as the Glittermen on the first four hit singles by Gary Glitter from 1972 to 1973. The...
, but they did not participate in his recording sessions, and precisely who, if anyone, helped Glitter and producer/co-writer Mike Leander
Mike Leander
Michael George Farr professionally known as Mike Leander was an arranger and record producer for Decca Records in the 1960s and Bell Records in the 1970s and worked with such artists as Marianne Faithfull, Billy Fury, Marc Bolan, Joe Cocker, The Small Faces, Van Morrison, Alan Price, Peter...
in the studio remains unknown. Glitter has said in interviews that he and Leander preferred to play everything themselves, since it allowed them to record the songs as they were being written.
The song became a concert favourite with the crowd chanting the Come On, Come On refrain before Glitter took to the stage. Although Glitter's version failed to chart in the USA, the following year a version by Brownsville Station
Brownsville Station (band)
Brownsville Station was a rock band from Michigan that was popular in the 1970s. Original members included Cub Koda , Mike Lutz , T.J. Cronley , and Tony Driggins...
reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Green Jellÿ cover
In 1993, comedyComedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Green Jellÿ
Green Jellÿ
Green Jellÿ is a Grammy-nominated American comedy rock band formed in 1981. Originally named Green Jellö, the band changed its name due to legal pressure from the owners of the Jell-O trademark, Kraft Foods, who claimed that it was an infringement of their trademark...
released "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" as a duet with Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
. The release scored them a third Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Track listing
- "I'm the Leader of the Gang"
- "I'm the Leader of the Gang" (12" Remix)
- "Thing-a-Ma-Bob"
- "Hulkamaniac"
Cover versions
- It was covered by punk band The MethadonesThe MethadonesThe Methadones were a band formed in 1993 by guitarist/vocalist Dan Vapid. The Methadones initially lasted only a few shows before Dan put them to the side to focus on his main band Screeching Weasel. By 1999 Dan was no longer a member of Screeching Weasel or his other band The Riverdales, and...
on their cover album 21st Century Power Pop Riot21st Century Power Pop Riot21st Century Power Pop Riot is an album by The Methadones that consists entirely of power pop covers.-Track list:...
. - Brownsville StationBrownsville Station (band)Brownsville Station was a rock band from Michigan that was popular in the 1970s. Original members included Cub Koda , Mike Lutz , T.J. Cronley , and Tony Driggins...
covered the song on their 1974 album, School Punks. - Peter and the Test Tube BabiesPeter and the Test Tube BabiesPeter and the Test Tube Babies are a punk rock band that was formed in the small town of Peacehaven, England in 1978 by Del Strangefish and Peter Bywaters. Due to their humorous tongue-in-cheek lyrics, they have been considered part of the Punk Pathetique subgenre...
covered the song on their 1982 live album, Pissed and ProudPissed and ProudPissed and Proud is an album of live recordings by English punk rock band, Peter and the Test Tube Babies. It was originally released in 1982 on No Future Records and was recorded at three different venues – Hammersmith, Wood Green, and their hometown, Brighton – during the August bank...
. - GirlschoolGirlschoolGirlschool are a British heavy metal band originating out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in 1978 and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after more than 30 years...
together with Gary GlitterGary GlitterGary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
on their 1986 album Nightmare at Maple CrossNightmare at Maple CrossNightmare at Maple Cross is the sixth studio album by British heavy metal band, Girlschool, released on GWR Records in 1986. Under the direction of producer Vic Maile, this album marks the return of the band to the sound of their earlier works and to a four-piece formation. All tracks were composed...
. - The Spice GirlsSpice GirlsThe Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
performed this song in their debut film, Spice World. Originally, Glitter had a four minute cameoCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the film with the girls as they performed the song, but his appearance was completely deleted from the final cut of the film due to Glitter's child porn charges that occurred shortly before the film's release. - Suburban LegendsSuburban LegendsSuburban Legends are a third wave ska/pop band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998, and are currently based out of Santa Ana, California.- History :...
sometimes open their shows with a shortened version of the song.