No Class
Encyclopedia
"No Class" is a song by the heavy metal
band Motörhead. It was released in 1979, in 7" vinyl pressings. The song first appeared on the 1979 album Overkill
, and became one of the "cornerstones" of the classic 1981 live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
. It is one of the band's "anthems".
or Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. The single also contains the B-side "Like a Nightmare", which can be found on the reissued versions of Overkill. The song was already a live track before it was recorded for Overkill.
's, and the guitar riff in "No Class" is said to be "stolen" from ZZ Top's "Tush
."
On Motörhead's 1999 live album Everything Louder than Everyone Else
, before playing "No Class" Lemmy dedicated the song to long-time friend Wendy O. Williams
, who had committed suicide the previous month.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Motörhead. It was released in 1979, in 7" vinyl pressings. The song first appeared on the 1979 album Overkill
Overkill (album)
Overkill is the second album released by Motörhead, in 1979, and their first for Bronze Records. It peaked at number 24 on the UK charts.It had a big impact in the British punk culture of that time, paving the way for UK82. Kerrang! magazine listed the album at No...
, and became one of the "cornerstones" of the classic 1981 live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
No Sleep ’til Hammersmith is the first live album by Motörhead. Released on 27 June 1981, it peaked at #1 on the UK album charts. It was followed by the release of the single "Motorhead" on 11 July, which peaked in the UK singles chart at #6.-History:With the exception of "Iron Horse / Born To...
. It is one of the band's "anthems".
Release
It was available in three different covers, with either a picture of Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie ClarkeEddie Clarke
Edward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
or Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. The single also contains the B-side "Like a Nightmare", which can be found on the reissued versions of Overkill. The song was already a live track before it was recorded for Overkill.
Style and influences
Stylistically, the song is described as "get-down rock boogie". Critics have noted the similarities at the time between Motörhead's music and ZZ TopZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
's, and the guitar riff in "No Class" is said to be "stolen" from ZZ Top's "Tush
Tush (song)
"Tush" was the only single from ZZ Top's fourth album Fandango!. It reached number 20 on the pop chart.The song is a twelve-bar blues in the key of G. The recording was produced by Bill Ham, and recorded and mixed by Terry Manning...
."
On Motörhead's 1999 live album Everything Louder than Everyone Else
Everything Louder Than Everyone Else
Everything Louder than Everyone Else is the third live album by the British band Motörhead. The title refers to a remark repeated by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple on their Made in Japan live album: "Could we have everything louder than everything else?". Recorded at a show in Hamburg, Germany on May...
, before playing "No Class" Lemmy dedicated the song to long-time friend Wendy O. Williams
Wendy O. Williams
Wendy Orlean Williams , better known as Wendy O. Williams, was the lead singer for the American punk band the Plasmatics, as well as a solo artist...
, who had committed suicide the previous month.
Notable covers
- The Plasmatics covered the song in 1982, as part of the Stand by Your ManStand by Your Man (EP)Stand by Your Man is a 7" EP by Lemmy of the British band Motörhead and Wendy O. Williams of the American punk rock band Plasmatics, recorded and released in 1982.-History:...
EP collaboration with Motörhead. - In 1990 the Argentine Thrash metal band HerméticaHerméticaHermética was an Argentine band considered to be one of the most important bands in the history of Argentine heavy metal.-Biography:After the dissolution of V8 in 1987, its members split and formed their own groups; Osvaldo Civile created Horcas, Alberto Zamarbide, Miguel Roldán and Adrián Cenci...
recorded "No Class" for Interpretes, a cover album; it is the only English track ever recorded by the band. - In 2010, the sludge metal band Kingdom of SorrowKingdom of SorrowKingdom of Sorrow is an American heavy metal band which features Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and Down, along with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed.- History :...
covered the song on their album Behind the Blackest TearsBehind the Blackest Tears- Special edition bonus tracks :# "Soldiers of Hell" – 3:29 # "No Class" – 2:39 - Personnel :* Jamey Jasta - vocals* Kirk Windstein - guitar, vocals* Charlie Bellmore - guitar, bass* Nick Bellmore - drums...
.
Single track listing
- "No Class" (Eddie ClarkeEddie ClarkeEdward Allan Clarke better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke, is a guitarist who was a member of British heavy metal bands Fastway and Motörhead.-Early days:...
, Ian Kilmister, Phil Taylor) - "Like a Nightmare" (Kilmister, Clarke, Taylor)
Personnel
- Fast Eddie Clarke – Guitars, vocals
- Philthy Animal Taylor – Drums
- Lemmy (Ian Kilmister) – Bass, lead vocals