Gudbuy T' Jane
Encyclopedia
"Gudbuy T' Jane" is a hit single
from glam rock band Slade
released in 1972. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
and bassist Jim Lea
and appeared on their album Slayed?
. The single peaked at #2 in the UK, losing the number one spot to Chuck Berry
's single My Ding-A-Ling
. It did however, peak at #1 in the New Musical Express charts. Slade's two previous singles had charted at #1 in the UK. The single lasted 13 weeks in the top 100. It stayed in the top 10 from the moment it was released for 8 weeks. The single was also the most successful of Slade's 1970's singles in the United States, peaking at #68. It wouldn't be until 1983 when Slade's single My Oh My
would beat that position.
The single peaked at #1 on the NME singles chart.
The single was awarded a UK Silver Disc in early 1973.
The single peaked at #209 for 1972 on rateyourmusic.
In 1981, drummer Don Powell was asked in a fan club interview for his three favourite Slade songs. Powell stated "Far Far Away
", "Standin' on the Corner" and "Gudbuy T'Jane" as his favourites.
. The idea came to Lea while he was sitting by a pool in San Diego. He completed it in the toilet in the plane on the flight home. Holder's lyrics came from a TV show he saw in San Francisco on which the band appeared, and on which a girl called Jane demonstrated a Sex Machine. Holder completed his lyrics just prior to the session. Holder's original lyrics were Hello To Jane. Jim decided that it would sound better as Goodbye To Jane when they went to record it. The loose feel of the record is explained by the fact this was Take 2 and the band had never played the song before until that day.
In a November 1980 Sounds magazine interview, Lea spoke of the song. "I didn't even like some of those old ones. We all hated 'Gudbye T' Jane' when we made it, it was knocked up in half an hour at the end of one of our studio sessions."
Cover versions have been created by artists Mission (as Metal Gurus), Van Halen (live only), Britny Fox, UK PLC, Flashback Band, Redbeards From Texas, Stiv Bators, The Sirens, The Replacements, The Oppressed, Bodies Falling... and The Griffin.
Britny Fox planned for their version to be taken from their debut album and released as a single which the music video was hoped to feature cameos from Slade. The single was never released so the idea never took off.
The song was originally titled "Hello T'Jane".
"Gudbuy T'Jane" was voted #3 of the top three Slade live tracks in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
Although not clear as to which video, one of the song's video was voted #3 of the top three Slade music videos in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
Danny Holloway for NME magazine wrote "Following "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
", the Wolverhampton Wanders have chosen another Lea-Holder rigid rocker. There's a simple little drum intro as the guitars join in, followed by a ferocious bass line. Bound to storm the charts and should be a big Christmas seller for the band. During the past year Slade's songwriting has improved greatly. If they continue to progress at this rate, nothing can hold them back."
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 glam 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...
released in 1972. 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:...
and appeared on their album Slayed?
Slayed?
Slayed? is the third studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 1 November 1972, and reached No. 1 on the UK charts. The album lasted on the UK charts for a total of 34 weeks, and was also their longest-charting album in the United States where it stayed on the charts for half...
. The single peaked at #2 in the UK, losing the number one spot to Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
's single My Ding-A-Ling
My Ding-a-Ling
"My Ding-a-Ling" was the title of a novelty song recorded by Chuck Berry, and his only U.S. number-one single on the pop charts. Later that year the song, in a longer unedited form, was on the album The London Chuck Berry Sessions...
. It did however, peak at #1 in the New Musical Express charts. Slade's two previous singles had charted at #1 in the UK. The single lasted 13 weeks in the top 100. It stayed in the top 10 from the moment it was released for 8 weeks. The single was also the most successful of Slade's 1970's singles in the United States, peaking at #68. It wouldn't be until 1983 when Slade's single My Oh My
My Oh My (Slade song)
"My Oh My" is a power ballad originally sung by rock band Slade. The song appears on their album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome and on the band's 1984 American counterpart release, Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song reached number two in the UK chart by Christmas 1983 and soon after...
would beat that position.
The single peaked at #1 on the NME singles chart.
The single was awarded a UK Silver Disc in early 1973.
The single peaked at #209 for 1972 on rateyourmusic.
In 1981, drummer Don Powell was asked in a fan club interview for his three favourite Slade songs. Powell stated "Far Far Away
Far 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...
", "Standin' on the Corner" and "Gudbuy T'Jane" as his favourites.
Background
At the time, the band were on tour and needed a follow up track to 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...
. The idea came to Lea while he was sitting by a pool in San Diego. He completed it in the toilet in the plane on the flight home. Holder's lyrics came from a TV show he saw in San Francisco on which the band appeared, and on which a girl called Jane demonstrated a Sex Machine. Holder completed his lyrics just prior to the session. Holder's original lyrics were Hello To Jane. Jim decided that it would sound better as Goodbye To Jane when they went to record it. The loose feel of the record is explained by the fact this was Take 2 and the band had never played the song before until that day.
In a November 1980 Sounds magazine interview, Lea spoke of the song. "I didn't even like some of those old ones. We all hated 'Gudbye T' Jane' when we made it, it was knocked up in half an hour at the end of one of our studio sessions."
Cover versions have been created by artists Mission (as Metal Gurus), Van Halen (live only), Britny Fox, UK PLC, Flashback Band, Redbeards From Texas, Stiv Bators, The Sirens, The Replacements, The Oppressed, Bodies Falling... and The Griffin.
Britny Fox planned for their version to be taken from their debut album and released as a single which the music video was hoped to feature cameos from Slade. The single was never released so the idea never took off.
The song was originally titled "Hello T'Jane".
"Gudbuy T'Jane" was voted #3 of the top three Slade live tracks in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
Music video
Two music videos were created for the single, both by Caravelle. The first was made at an observatory and the group were filmed portraying scientists stalking around with white coats and clipboards. Close-up shots of guitarist Dave Hill's platform boots when the song mentions 'H Hill's left shoe'. For the second film, Caravelle were permissioned by Polydor Records, rather than Top of The Pops. The film was to give the impression of Slade playing live at their 'London Rainbow' concert. In actual fact all the shots of the band were taken during the afternoon before the gig. The audience shots were taken live at the gig - the only thing being that they were filmed during 'Hear Me Calling' - thus the audience cannot be seen in time with "Gudbuy T'Jane". Slade, during the video, have their clothes and instruments covered with 'I've Been Slayed' stickers.Although not clear as to which video, one of the song's video was voted #3 of the top three Slade music videos in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.
Critical reception
Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single upon release, "Another slice of Slade, with a drum-beat opening, with all that instant power and drive...on records - live concerts, too, come to that - the boys don't put a foot or tonsil wrong. Noddy fronts this ferocious build-up with his usual gruff efficiency; and there's a hustling bass-percussion rhythm that maintains the pressure. There's a running riff which reaches out and grabs. Their best yet? Hard to say but it is bloody good - chart certain."Danny Holloway for NME magazine wrote "Following "Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Mama 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...
", the Wolverhampton Wanders have chosen another Lea-Holder rigid rocker. There's a simple little drum intro as the guitars join in, followed by a ferocious bass line. Bound to storm the charts and should be a big Christmas seller for the band. During the past year Slade's songwriting has improved greatly. If they continue to progress at this rate, nothing can hold them back."
Chart performance
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 11 | 13 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 7 | 12 |
| Belgian Singles Chart | 5 | 11 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 72 | 3 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 4 | 9 |
| French Singles Chart | 8 | 18 |
| German Singles Chart | 3 | 17 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 2 | 10 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 89 | 4 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 12 | |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 7 | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 4 | 11 |
| UK Singles Chart | 2 | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 68 | 6 |
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar and backing vocals
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar and backing vocals
- Don Powell: Drums