Let's Dance (Chris Montez song)
Encyclopedia
"Let's Dance" is rock band Slade's last single
from 1988. The single was only released in the UK. The song was originally covered in 1985 and appeared on the Crackers – The Christmas Party Album the same year. The track was eventually released as a single after being dropped from RCA Records. The band released two singles before on their own label You Boyz Make Big Noize
and We Won't Give In. Both were commercial failures. This single also suffered the same fate. No promotion helped the single as the band would not tour. There was no promotional video or performances on TV either.
The single featured a basic artwork design and as a b-side, included a 1975 album track Standing On The Corner, originally from Slade in Flame
.
The band would not release another single or album until 1991 although Merry Xmas Everybody
would be re-released in 1989 and fail to chart.
The b-side of the single "Standing On The Corner" was taken from the 1974 album "Slade in Flame
". For the CD, two extra tracks were added, "Far Far Away
" and "How Does It Feel". Both were also from "Slade in Flame", both being the only two singles from the album.
Upon release, the single was reviewed on the Radio One programme "Singled Out". Those who reviewed the single were producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman. All three were said to have been reminiscing about the band with radio DJ Mike Read, stating what a great band they were. Mike Stock commented that Noddy Holder was the greatest pure rock 'n' roll singer since John Lennon
.
According to the fan club magazine of late 1988, the single was hastily rushed out as a single at the last minute, hence being a track taken from the 1985 "Crackers" album whilst other previously used material was used a b-sides. The song was only decided to be released at the last minute.
CD Single
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 1988. The single was only released in the UK. The song was originally covered in 1985 and appeared on the Crackers – The Christmas Party Album the same year. The track was eventually released as a single after being dropped from RCA Records. The band released two singles before on their own label You Boyz Make Big Noize
You Boyz Make Big Noize (song)
You Boyz Make Big Noize is a UK-only single from the same year and after Slade's 1987 album You Boyz Make Big Noize by rock band Slade. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea...
and We Won't Give In. Both were commercial failures. This single also suffered the same fate. No promotion helped the single as the band would not tour. There was no promotional video or performances on TV either.
The single featured a basic artwork design and as a b-side, included a 1975 album track Standing On The Corner, originally from Slade in Flame
Slade in Flame (album)
Slade in Flame was an album by the British rock group Slade released on November 29, 1974. The album contained songs from the film of the same name....
.
The band would not release another single or album until 1991 although 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...
would be re-released in 1989 and fail to chart.
The b-side of the single "Standing On The Corner" was taken from the 1974 album "Slade in Flame
Slade in Flame (album)
Slade in Flame was an album by the British rock group Slade released on November 29, 1974. The album contained songs from the film of the same name....
". For the CD, two extra tracks were added, "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...
" and "How Does It Feel". Both were also from "Slade in Flame", both being the only two singles from the album.
Release
In 1989, Noddy Holder was interviewed for the Slade fan club about the single "we thought it was a good track. We'd pondered over a few different songs, but we decided that 'Let's Dance' stood a good chance of getting some airplay around that time because when we didn't release a single the year before, all the jocks wanted to know why. So we decided to put the record out, hoping it would get the plays, but it wasn't the case. Only the commercial stations like Piccadilly and some of the others played it regularly, but without Radio One, you're sunk."Upon release, the single was reviewed on the Radio One programme "Singled Out". Those who reviewed the single were producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman. All three were said to have been reminiscing about the band with radio DJ Mike Read, stating what a great band they were. Mike Stock commented that Noddy Holder was the greatest pure rock 'n' roll singer since John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
.
According to the fan club magazine of late 1988, the single was hastily rushed out as a single at the last minute, hence being a track taken from the 1985 "Crackers" album whilst other previously used material was used a b-sides. The song was only decided to be released at the last minute.
Formats
7" Single- "Let's Dance (1988 Remix)" - 2:40
- "Standing On The Corner" - 4:54
CD Single
- "Let's Dance (1988 Remix)" - 2:40
- "Far Far Away" - 3:37
- "How Does It Feel" - 5:55
- "Standing On The Corner" - 4:54
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar, synthesizer and backing vocals
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar and backing vocals
- Don Powell: Drums
Additional personnel
- Producer on "Let's Dance (1988 Remix)" - Jim Lea for Perseverance Ltd.
- Writer of "Let's Dance" - Jim Lee
- Producer on "Standing On The Corner" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "Standing On The Corner" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Producer on "Far Far Away" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "Far Far Away" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Producer on "How Does It Feel" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "How Does It Feel" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Famous Covers
- The Beatles recorded the song as the Beat Brothers with Tony SheridanTony SheridanTony Sheridan , is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist...
in 1961, although it was not released in the UK until 1967, on the album "The Beatles' FirstThe Beatles' FirstThe Beatles' First is the first British packaging of the 1962 German album by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers called My Bonnie. It was recorded in Hamburg in 1961...
". - Juice NewtonJuice NewtonJudith Kay "Juice" Newton is an American Pop music and Country singer, songwriter and guitarist...
covered the song in her album "Can't Wait All Night" - The song was covered by RamonesRamonesThe Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
in 1976 on their self-titled debut albumRamones (album)Ramones is the self-titled debut studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released on April 23, 1976, through Sire Records. Prior to the band signing to Sire they were seen by Lisa Robinson, an editor of Hit Parader, during an early 1975 performance. Robinson began popularizing...
. - In 1977, it was covered by Marc BolanMarc BolanMarc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
and T-RexT. Rex (band)T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
on the TV show, MarcMarc (TV series)Marc is a British television series presented by T. Rex lead singer Marc Bolan. It was produced in Manchester by Granada Television for the ITV network....
. - The song was also covered by the Silicon TeensSilicon TeensSilicon Teens were a virtual British electronic new wave pop group. The project was the creation of Mute Records founder Daniel Miller.-Background:...
on their debut 1980 album Music For Parties. - A recording by The CockroachesThe CockroachesThe Cockroaches was an Australian pop rock band which achieved reasonable success in the 1980s and 1990s. The band took its name from an obscure nom de plume favoured by The Rolling Stones during the 1960s....
featured in the film "The CrossingThe Crossing (1990 film)The Crossing is a 1990 Australian drama film directed by George Ogilvie and starring Russell Crowe, Robert Mammone and Danielle Spencer, which was filmed in the towns of Junee and Condobolin in New South Wales.-Box office:...
" (1990). - British Rock band Status Quo covered it on the Anniversary Waltz Part 1