Slade are synonymous with Christmas through their perennial Xmas song “Merry Xmas Everybody”…….Therefore it was fitting that BBC4 should dedicate their airtime last night to a “Slade Night”!!
There were moments during BBC4’s “Slade Night” where the lunacy of the Glam Rock era of the early 1970s bordered on farce, reminiscent of the legendary and peerless Spinal Tap film. However the overwhelming factor that pervaded throughout the “It’s Slade” documentary is that for all Noddy Holder and Slade’s eccentricities, idiosyncrasies and quirkiness, they were a serious and thoughtful band who wrote and crafted great songs, whether anthems or ballads!!
BBC4’s “Slade Night” concluded with their 1974 film “Slade in Flame”, which was very in keeping with the contemporary David Essex films “That will be the Day” and “Stardust” in it’s cutting and satirical portrayal of how unscrupulous record company moguls exploit unsuspecting, naive bands.
For the author, Slade along with The Sweet were my introduction to Glam Rock and music in 
general in 1973. The two groups vied for the No1 position in the charts that year, with both bands securing No1 or No2 at the very least with every one of their releases. Both Slade and Sweet were flamboyant and tongue in cheek, but the latter had a slight edginess and darkness to them. Slade meanwhile had a real jovialness and jocularity about them, which made them fun to watch and be around. However that charisma, flamboyance and fun belied a group of serious musicians, who were not only fine exponents of their instruments ( especially the multi talented Jimmy Lea who oscillated between the violin, piano and guitar on their hit songs ), but in Noddy Holder and Jimmy Lea had a great songwriting partnership. This was particularly apparent in their later more poignant songs such as “Everyday”, “Far, Far Away” and “How Does It Feel”.
Unlike many of their contemporary bands, Slade were not manufactured or fabricated in any way. They were totally authentic and self styled – there’s no way a professional stylist or PR man would have advocated Noddy Holder’s Dickensian whiskers and side burns or Dave Hill’s pudding basin hairstyle!! Slade were the real deal – authentic to the core, with a real musical integrity at a time when many Glam Rock acts did not write their own songs. Slade were adored by the record buying public because they ticked all the boxes – great entertainers, good musicians and excellent songwriters. Slade’s mass popularity and appeal was reflected in their chart dominance between 1971 and 1974 with six No1s, two No2s and two No3s. As a reminder of Slade’s brilliance, here’s a Top10 Best Slade Songs –
Top10 Best Slade Songs
1) Cum On Feel The Noize ( No1 1973 )
2) Far Far Away ( No2 1974 )
3) Merry Xmas Everybody ( No1 1973 )
4) How Does It Feel ( No15 1975 )
5) Everyday ( No3 1974 )
6) Coz I Luv You ( No1 1971 )
7) My Friend Stan ( No2 1973 )
8) Thanks For The Memory ( No7 1975 )
9) In For A Penny ( No11 1975 )
10) Mama Weer All Crazee Now ( No1 1972 )
Which are your favourite Slade songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.
Celebrate your favourite Slade song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Slade song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque……
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Also available – the DVD of your favourite film or TV programme framed with a personalised engraved plaque ORDER NOW… www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/
Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!
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