Slade Smashes!
Encyclopedia
Slade Smashes was a compilation album by the British glam/hard rock
group Slade
. It was released November 1, 1980 and reached number 21 on the UK charts.
The album was issued in the wake of the band's new-found success following their appearance at the annual Reading Festival, filling in for Ozzy Osbourne
. The album featured most of the band's big hits from their early and mid 1970s heyday in the UK as well as less successful tracks from the band's "down period" in the late 1970s. This collection, alongside the band's subsequent release We'll Bring the House Down
, further cemented Slade
's comeback in the UK and Europe (and shortly afterwards, newfound success in the United States).
The compilation was created by Polydor and did not feature much input from the actual band. According to the Slade January–February 1981 fan club magazine, Polydor spent £250,000 on promotion for the compilation.
The album was certified UK Gold by BPI in December 1980, selling 200,000 copies.
The album peaked at #36 for 1980 on rateyourmusic and #4847 overall albums.
In a 1980 fan club interview, Noddy Holder was asked why Polydor were releasing a compilation now. "It's not been the Reading Festival that has prompted the release of the Hits album - they had already made plans to release the album before we decided to do the show."
In a November 1980 Sounds magazine interview, Holder was asked if he was at all depressed at this preoccupation with past glories? Holder replied "Depressed? No. This compilation will be great for the fans, a chance to get all the hits on one record. But we don't relate to them in the same way anymore, the way we play them now is bugger all like the records anyway."
The album was released because all Slade's singles were deleted except for "Merry Xmas Everybody
".
Some songs on the album were slightly remixed in the studio to give a more "1980's feel".
In December 1984, guitarist Dave Hill had sold his personal UK Gold Disc award for 250,000 sales of "Slade Smashes!" to charity, which sold for a total of £385 at the time. This was shown on the UK show Saturday Starship.
Sounds Magazine wrote "We've been treated to re-issues of some of the old time heroes who made my own teeny weeny days go with a grin and mucho din...Big Gal Glitter, the soon-come Judge Dread double and now this mighty meaty big and bouncy collection of twenty timeless Slade faves.
For once I'm speechless, well almost anyway, and it's only with near superhuman self restraint that I prevent these perspiring pinkies from tapping out the full horrorshow history of my Slade memories, from that initial encounter on the Eammon Andrews Show blistering through 'Get Down And Get With It' with cropped-head conviction, through hundreds of backing track adolescent adventures, right up to undoubted chart supremacy and Earls Court mayhem with, I must confess, silly hat and cape flying in the wind. All I'm gonna say is that as far as I can see this collection is a perfect reminder of the glories that were, marrying raucous rock and singalong pop in a superb celebration of unpretentious goodtimes. They're all here, the rowdy faultless chart-toppers 'Coz I Luv You', 'Take Me Bak 'ome', 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now', 'Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me', 'Merry Xmas Everybody' - ten silver discs, two gold discs, one platinum. There's the mighty scarf-waving anthem 'Everyday' too, and the similarly moving homesick howsyafarver 'Far Far Away', not to mention the pre-Rejects football fave 'Give Us A Goal', then the r 'n' r circus medley 'My Baby Left Me. That's Alright Mama', the stompin' stormer 'Get Down And Get With It', and even, whisper it, one or two I ain't so fond of like 'Thanks For The Memory' which makes me think maybe, just maybe, the rot was setting in even before the American failure. But they're just the exception that proove the proof of the pudding washes whiter. Because what we're talking about here then, men, is a near miraculous disc that every home should have. And what's interesting is that recent live performances indicate that the band, despite their methusela-like antiquity still rock like good'uns and Noddy is still the same colourful clown with the prime primal power-lung scream, so maybe there's a chance that Slade'll become heroes for a new generation... For the moment, however, I don't give a monkey's toss about speculating and such like, all I wanna do is put this on again full blast and dodge the missiles from the ignorant barbarians who I'm forced to share this under-paid under-staffed office with."
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
group 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...
. It was released November 1, 1980 and reached number 21 on the UK charts.
The album was issued in the wake of the band's new-found success following their appearance at the annual Reading Festival, filling in for Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
. The album featured most of the band's big hits from their early and mid 1970s heyday in the UK as well as less successful tracks from the band's "down period" in the late 1970s. This collection, alongside the band's subsequent release We'll Bring the House Down
We'll Bring the House Down
We'll Bring The House Down is an album by English rock band Slade. It was released on 13 March 1981 and entered the UK charts at number 25. This was due to the Reading Festival success the previous year, when they had stood in for heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. Slade got exactly what they...
, further cemented 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...
's comeback in the UK and Europe (and shortly afterwards, newfound success in the United States).
The compilation was created by Polydor and did not feature much input from the actual band. According to the Slade January–February 1981 fan club magazine, Polydor spent £250,000 on promotion for the compilation.
The album was certified UK Gold by BPI in December 1980, selling 200,000 copies.
The album peaked at #36 for 1980 on rateyourmusic and #4847 overall albums.
In a 1980 fan club interview, Noddy Holder was asked why Polydor were releasing a compilation now. "It's not been the Reading Festival that has prompted the release of the Hits album - they had already made plans to release the album before we decided to do the show."
In a November 1980 Sounds magazine interview, Holder was asked if he was at all depressed at this preoccupation with past glories? Holder replied "Depressed? No. This compilation will be great for the fans, a chance to get all the hits on one record. But we don't relate to them in the same way anymore, the way we play them now is bugger all like the records anyway."
The album was released because all Slade's singles were deleted except for "Merry Xmas Everybody
Merry Xmas Everybody
"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
".
Some songs on the album were slightly remixed in the studio to give a more "1980's feel".
In December 1984, guitarist Dave Hill had sold his personal UK Gold Disc award for 250,000 sales of "Slade Smashes!" to charity, which sold for a total of £385 at the time. This was shown on the UK show Saturday Starship.
Track listing
- "Cum on Feel the NoizeCum on Feel the Noize"Cum On Feel the Noize" is a rock song originally released by Slade in 1973.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, "Cum On Feel the Noize" was Slade's fourth number-one single in the UK and their first to enter straight at number one...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #1 - "My Friend Stan" (Holder/Lea) UK #2
- "Far Far AwayFar Far Away (song)"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...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #2 - "Coz I Luv YouCoz I Luv You"Coz I Luv You" is a song by Slade, written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler. It was the band's second hit single in the UK and the first of six number one singles. It was released on 30/10/1971 and was last seen on the charts on 05/02/1972 at #44...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #1 - "EverydayEveryday (Slade song)"Everyday" is a single from glam rock band Slade which appeared on the album Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by the usual collaboration of lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1974 and peaked at #3 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart, the shortest...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #3 - "Gypsy RoadhogGypsy Roadhog"Gypsy Roadhog" is the lead single from the 1977 album Whatever Happened to Slade by rock band Slade. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #48 - "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)"Thanks for the Memory " is a single from rock band Slade. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1975 and peaked at #7 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart and only one week in the top 10. This became Slade's last top ten hit for 6 years...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #7 - "The Bangin' Man" (Holder/Lea) UK #3
- "In For a Penny" (Holder/Lea) UK #11
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze MeSkweeze Me Pleeze Me"Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" is a popular song in the UK by Slade.Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler, Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me was the band's fifth number one single in the United Kingdom, and their second to debut at the top spot immediately, spending three weeks at the top...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #1 - "Mama Weer All Crazee NowMama Weer All Crazee Now"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a popular song originally recorded by the British Glam rock band Slade on their album Slayed?.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's third number-one single in the United Kingdom. The single entered the charts on its first...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #1 - "Look Wot You DunLook Wot You Dun"Look Wot You Dun" is a single from glam rock band Slade which appeared on the album Sladest. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder, bassist Jim Lea and drummer Don Powell. The single was released on 05/02/1972, just when Slade's previous single Coz I Luv You had its last week in the top 100...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #4 - "Take Me Back 'Ome" (Holder/Lea) UK #1
- "Let's Call It QuitsLet's Call It Quits (song)"Let's Call It Quits" is a single from rock band Slade which appeared on the album Nobody's Fools. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #11 - "Give Us a GoalGive Us a Goal"Give Us a Goal" is a single from English rock band Slade. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1978 and failed to chart in the UK. The single was based on football....
" (Holder/Lea) Did Not Chart - "Merry Xmas EverybodyMerry Xmas Everybody"Merry Xmas Everybody" is a 1973 song by the English rock band Slade. Written by lead vocalist and guitarist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler, it was the band's sixth number-one single in the UK...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #1 - "How Does It Feel" (Holder/Lea) UK #15
- "My Baby Left MeMy Baby Left MeMy Baby Left Me is a rhythm and blues song written by blues singer Arthur Crudup in the late 1940s.It gained further exposure in covers by Elvis Presley, who placed his version on the b-side to his 1956 single "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"; by Creedence Clearwater Revival, who recorded it as...
- "That's Alright Mama" (CrudupArthur CrudupArthur "Big Boy" Crudup was an American Delta blues singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known outside blues circles for writing songs such as "That's All Right" , "My Baby Left Me" and "So Glad You're Mine", later covered by Elvis Presley and dozens of other artists.-Career:Arthur Crudup...
) UK #32 - "Get Down and Get With ItGet Down and Get With It"Get Down and Get With It" is a single from rock band Slade which appeared on the album Sladest. It was written by Bobby Marchan. The single was released in 1971 and peaked at #16 in the UK, spending 14 weeks on the chart. This was Slade's first chart entry in their career...
" (Holder/Lea) UK #16 - "Gudbuy T'Jane" (Holder/Lea) UK #2
Critical reception
Upon release, Record Mirror wrote "People keep telling me there's a Slade revival going on, but it's hard not to laugh. It's more than interesting to watch those who've seen them live attempt to convert those who keep their look of bemusement and incredulity intact during the discourse. It's also funny to watch the curious become fervent disciples whose faces light up at the mention of Slade. They're the ones who stumble across the truth, via the experience, that there is no Slade revival. The word revival always implies that the band were redundant for a period between their 'hey-day' and their current 'resurgence' but Slade have remained constant throughout. They slogged up and down the toilets and flea-pits of this country for five years before their first hit 'Get Down And Get With It' gave everybody the opportunity to realise that they are one of the best live attractions in this land. Their aggressive, energetic and enthusiastic stage show was successfully translated into a string of raucous singles that celebrated the mythical rock 'n' roll spirit with a vengeance. Songs like 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now', 'Cum On Feel The Noize', 'Take Me Bak 'ome', 'Gudbuy T' Jane' and the others contained on this 20 track precis of the time when Slade and the record buying public connected are the best reminders of the power some felt and others ignored. Those who have realised the power of Slade will already have the majority of the songs on this collection. Those who have only recently caught up with the fact that Slade have remained constant and those that have reconnected with a fundamental lynch-pin of that mess we call rock 'n' roll will find this set a useful but ultimately unsatisfying reminder of the joy and exuberance of the Birmingham quartet of Noddy, Jimmy, Don and Dave. Those who have yet to find out had better start here and then grasp the opportunity to 'feel the noize' at the first chance."Sounds Magazine wrote "We've been treated to re-issues of some of the old time heroes who made my own teeny weeny days go with a grin and mucho din...Big Gal Glitter, the soon-come Judge Dread double and now this mighty meaty big and bouncy collection of twenty timeless Slade faves.
For once I'm speechless, well almost anyway, and it's only with near superhuman self restraint that I prevent these perspiring pinkies from tapping out the full horrorshow history of my Slade memories, from that initial encounter on the Eammon Andrews Show blistering through 'Get Down And Get With It' with cropped-head conviction, through hundreds of backing track adolescent adventures, right up to undoubted chart supremacy and Earls Court mayhem with, I must confess, silly hat and cape flying in the wind. All I'm gonna say is that as far as I can see this collection is a perfect reminder of the glories that were, marrying raucous rock and singalong pop in a superb celebration of unpretentious goodtimes. They're all here, the rowdy faultless chart-toppers 'Coz I Luv You', 'Take Me Bak 'ome', 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now', 'Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me', 'Merry Xmas Everybody' - ten silver discs, two gold discs, one platinum. There's the mighty scarf-waving anthem 'Everyday' too, and the similarly moving homesick howsyafarver 'Far Far Away', not to mention the pre-Rejects football fave 'Give Us A Goal', then the r 'n' r circus medley 'My Baby Left Me. That's Alright Mama', the stompin' stormer 'Get Down And Get With It', and even, whisper it, one or two I ain't so fond of like 'Thanks For The Memory' which makes me think maybe, just maybe, the rot was setting in even before the American failure. But they're just the exception that proove the proof of the pudding washes whiter. Because what we're talking about here then, men, is a near miraculous disc that every home should have. And what's interesting is that recent live performances indicate that the band, despite their methusela-like antiquity still rock like good'uns and Noddy is still the same colourful clown with the prime primal power-lung scream, so maybe there's a chance that Slade'll become heroes for a new generation... For the moment, however, I don't give a monkey's toss about speculating and such like, all I wanna do is put this on again full blast and dodge the missiles from the ignorant barbarians who I'm forced to share this under-paid under-staffed office with."
Chart performance
| Chart (1980) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Australia ARIA Albums Chart | 33 | ? |
| UK Albums Chart | 21 | 15 |
Personnel
- Noddy HolderNoddy HolderNeville John "Noddy" Holder MBE is an English musician and actor. He was the lead vocalist and guitarist with the rock band Slade....
- lead vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Dave HillDave HillDave Hill is an English musician, who is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the English glam rock group, Slade. The music journalist, Stuart Maconie, commented "he usually wore a jumpsuit made of the foil that you baste your turkeys in and platforms of oil-rig-derrick height...
- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Jim LeaJim LeaJim Lea , is an English musician, most notable for playing bass guitar, keyboards, violin, guitar, and singing backing vocals in Slade.-Career:...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Don PowellDon PowellDon Powell is a drummer who founded the English glam rock group, Slade.- Biography :As a child Powell joined the Boy Scouts where he became interested in the drums after being asked to join the band on a Sunday morning parade. After Etheridge Secondary Modern School he studied Metallurgy at...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....