Ginny, Ginny
Encyclopedia
"Ginny, Ginny" is the first single
of 1979 from rock band Slade
which was the leading single from the album Return to Base..... It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
and bassist Jim Lea
. The single was produced by Slade, with usual producer and managaer Chas Chandler
allowing the band to produce themselves.
Much like the band's releases around this time, the single did not enter the UK charts. Despite this, the single was confirmed to have entered the official UK top 200.
The song became part of the band's UK live set around the time of release.
The b-side 'Dizzy Mama' was later used on the 1981 album "We'll Bring the House Down
" as well as becoming part of Slade's live set.
The single was issued on a yellow vinyl in hope of interesting extra music buyers. It was the first Slade single to be issued in a different colour to black on vinyl.
Barn Records only pressed a total 3,500 copies of the "Ginny Ginny" single, virtually guaranteeing its failure to enter the charts. Even the single that preceded it, "Sign O' the Times" failed to chart and most copies which were left were melted down, making both singles extremely rare today.
Like much of Slade's singles of the time, there was no promotional video or any TV performances for the song. The main form of promotion was the band's live touring across the United Kingdom.
For the Slade exclusive Belgian hit single "I'm a Rocker", "Ginny, Ginny" was used as the b-side.
On the 15th June, radio presenter Dave Lee Travis
played the song on his show to concide with wishing Holder and Lea a happy birthday.
In the Slade News magazine for July–August 1979, drummer Don Powell was asked for his opinion on the song. "It didn't sell enough to get into the charts, but we were pleased with it."
In the March–April magazine, bassist/co-writer Jim Lea was asked if he believed the song would give Slade a comeback. "It's very catchy, and we're going to make it, yeah. Our writing is returning to a more concise format. I mean songs like "Be" are hardly concise, they're clever, but hardly the sing-along down at the pub type song."
NME wrote "Another stab at stardom from the once superb Slade. A lot better than previous comeback attempts but still not quite strong enough to compete with other chart contenders I fear. Hope I'm wrong 'cos I used to love them. Is it all over now? The single is pressed on yuk yellow vinyl. Suppose it may help sell a few more copies."
In the July–August 1979 Slade fan club magazine, one fan had their feelings of the single published. "Slade have done it again! Although "Ginny, Ginny" is a fantastic record I feel that the b-side "Dizzy Mama" would have been a better choice as being the a-side. It's got more "feel" to it, and also it's far more catchy - I'm sure the radio stations would have played it."
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...
of 1979 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 was the leading single from the album Return to Base..... 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 produced by Slade, with usual producer and managaer Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
allowing the band to produce themselves.
Much like the band's releases around this time, the single did not enter the UK charts. Despite this, the single was confirmed to have entered the official UK top 200.
The song became part of the band's UK live set around the time of release.
The b-side 'Dizzy Mama' was later used on the 1981 album "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...
" as well as becoming part of Slade's live set.
Background
The track was originally named "Jeanie" as well as "Ginny Come and Get It While You Can" before finally being titled Ginny, Ginny.The single was issued on a yellow vinyl in hope of interesting extra music buyers. It was the first Slade single to be issued in a different colour to black on vinyl.
Barn Records only pressed a total 3,500 copies of the "Ginny Ginny" single, virtually guaranteeing its failure to enter the charts. Even the single that preceded it, "Sign O' the Times" failed to chart and most copies which were left were melted down, making both singles extremely rare today.
Like much of Slade's singles of the time, there was no promotional video or any TV performances for the song. The main form of promotion was the band's live touring across the United Kingdom.
For the Slade exclusive Belgian hit single "I'm a Rocker", "Ginny, Ginny" was used as the b-side.
On the 15th June, radio presenter Dave Lee Travis
Dave Lee Travis
Dave Lee Travis , also known professionally as DLT and the Hairy Cornflake, is a British radio presenter, best known for his career on BBC Radio 1.-Early life:...
played the song on his show to concide with wishing Holder and Lea a happy birthday.
In the Slade News magazine for July–August 1979, drummer Don Powell was asked for his opinion on the song. "It didn't sell enough to get into the charts, but we were pleased with it."
In the March–April magazine, bassist/co-writer Jim Lea was asked if he believed the song would give Slade a comeback. "It's very catchy, and we're going to make it, yeah. Our writing is returning to a more concise format. I mean songs like "Be" are hardly concise, they're clever, but hardly the sing-along down at the pub type song."
Critical reception
At the time of release, Record Mirror wrote "The climb back isn't going to be easy for Slade, but this might be a foothold on the bottom of the charts for them. Not the big one though, even if Nod has got a great voice."NME wrote "Another stab at stardom from the once superb Slade. A lot better than previous comeback attempts but still not quite strong enough to compete with other chart contenders I fear. Hope I'm wrong 'cos I used to love them. Is it all over now? The single is pressed on yuk yellow vinyl. Suppose it may help sell a few more copies."
In the July–August 1979 Slade fan club magazine, one fan had their feelings of the single published. "Slade have done it again! Although "Ginny, Ginny" is a fantastic record I feel that the b-side "Dizzy Mama" would have been a better choice as being the a-side. It's got more "feel" to it, and also it's far more catchy - I'm sure the radio stations would have played it."
Chart performance
Although the single failed to reach the UK top 100 singles, the song was confirmed by Barn Records managing director to have entered the top 200.Cover versions
- In 1992, The Dummies released their own version of the song. Slade's bassist Jim Lea was the vocalist of this group, joined by his brother Frank and wife Louise Lea. The album that the cover appeared on consisted of mainly Slade songs. This song was originally recorded around the early 80s as a demo.
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar and piano
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar
- Don Powell: Drums
Additional Personnel
- Producer on "Ginny, Ginny" - Slade
- Writers of "Ginny, Ginny" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Producer on "Dizzy Mama" - Slade
- Writers of "Dizzy Mama" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Andy Miller - engineer
- Dave Garland - engineer (assistant)
- Mark O'Donoughue - engineer (assistant)
- George Peckham - engineer (cutting)