No Parlez
Encyclopedia
No Parlez is the debut solo album by the British singer Paul Young
. Released in 1983, it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart (for a non-consecutive total of 5 weeks) and remained in the UK Top 100 for 119 weeks. The album has been certified Triple Platinum by the BPI
for UK sales in excess of 900,000 copies.
Initially the first two singles, "Iron Out the Rough Spots" and a re-make of "Love of the Common People
" had no success, but the third, a cover of the Marvin Gaye
classic "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
" was No. 1 in the UK singles chart
for three weeks in the summer of 1983, and the first of Young's fourteen British Top 40
singles. Similar success followed in continental Europe. In the UK
, the follow-up single "Come Back and Stay" reached No. 4, and the re-release of "Love of the Common People" made it to No. 2 in late 1983.
The album was released with a different cover in North America, and a new video for the single "Come Back and Stay" was made.
The album was re-released on 30 June 2008 in the UK
and worldwide on 5 August 2008 as a 25th-anniversary edition. It contains the original 11 tracks as well as a bonus 10-track disc with a combination of B-sides, remixes and live tracks. Although the booklet claims that this is the original vinyl album on CD, 3 songs are shortened from their vinyl release; "Come Back and Stay", "Love Will Tear Us Apart" & "Love of the Common People". The original vinyl versions of these tracks remain unreleased.
The Extended Club mixes of "Wherever I Lay My Hat" & "Sex", the full version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and the Scratch Mix of "Come Back and Stay" are unique to the original CD release as these have not been included on the 25th anniversary edition.
Paul Young (singer and guitarist)
Paul Antony Young is an English pop musician. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & The Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, his following solo success as a solo recording artist turned him into a 1980s teenage pop idol...
. Released in 1983, it reached number one on the UK Albums Chart (for a non-consecutive total of 5 weeks) and remained in the UK Top 100 for 119 weeks. The album has been certified Triple Platinum by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
for UK sales in excess of 900,000 copies.
Initially the first two singles, "Iron Out the Rough Spots" and a re-make of "Love of the Common People
Love of the Common People (song)
"Love of the Common People" is a folk ballad written and composed by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and first released in January 1967 by The Four Preps...
" had no success, but the third, a cover of the Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
classic "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
"Wherever I Lay My Hat " is a song written by Marvin Gaye, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, and first recorded by Gaye in 1962. Years later, Paul Young's version of the song was a UK No. 1 single for three weeks in July 1983...
" was No. 1 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
for three weeks in the summer of 1983, and the first of Young's fourteen British Top 40
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
singles. Similar success followed in continental Europe. In the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the follow-up single "Come Back and Stay" reached No. 4, and the re-release of "Love of the Common People" made it to No. 2 in late 1983.
The album was released with a different cover in North America, and a new video for the single "Come Back and Stay" was made.
Track listing Original Vinyl Album release
- "Come Back and StayCome Back and Stay"Come Back and Stay" is a song that was first recorded in 1981 by its writer Jack Lee. In 1983, singer Paul Young released his version as a single from his album, No Parlez, and it became an international hit....
" (Jack Lee) – 4:57 - "Love Will Tear Us ApartLove Will Tear Us Apart"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
" (Ian CurtisIan CurtisIan Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
, Peter HookPeter HookPeter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Stephen Morris, Bernard SumnerBernard SumnerBernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
) - 5:01 - "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"Wherever I Lay My Hat " is a song written by Marvin Gaye, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, and first recorded by Gaye in 1962. Years later, Paul Young's version of the song was a UK No. 1 single for three weeks in July 1983...
" (Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Barrett StrongBarrett StrongBarrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
, Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
) – 5:18 - "Ku Ku Kurama" (Steve Bolton) – 4:20
- "No Parlez" (Anthony MooreAnthony MooreAnthony Moore is a British experimental music composer, performer and producer. He was a founding member of the band Slapp Happy, worked with Henry Cow and has made a number of solo albums, including Flying Doesn't Help and World Service .As a lyricist, Moore has collaborated with Pink Floyd on...
) – 4:54 - "Love of the Common PeopleLove of the Common People (song)"Love of the Common People" is a folk ballad written and composed by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and first released in January 1967 by The Four Preps...
" (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins) – 4:56 - "Oh Women" (Jack Lee) – 3:34
- "Iron Out the Rough Spots" (Steve CropperSteve CropperSteve Cropper , also known as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T...
, Booker T. JonesBooker T. JonesBooker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
, David PorterDavid Porter (musician)David Porter is an American soul musician. Porter is best known as the songwriting and production partner of Isaac Hayes at Stax Records during the 1960s...
) – 4:47 - "Broken Man" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 3:55
- "Tender Trap" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 4:31
- "Sex" (Jack Lee) – 4:49
Track listing Original CD release
- "Come Back and StayCome Back and Stay"Come Back and Stay" is a song that was first recorded in 1981 by its writer Jack Lee. In 1983, singer Paul Young released his version as a single from his album, No Parlez, and it became an international hit....
" (Jack Lee) – 7:56 (scratch mix) - "Love Will Tear Us ApartLove Will Tear Us Apart"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
" (Ian CurtisIan CurtisIan Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
, Peter HookPeter HookPeter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Stephen Morris, Bernard SumnerBernard SumnerBernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
) - 5:01 - "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"Wherever I Lay My Hat " is a song written by Marvin Gaye, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, and first recorded by Gaye in 1962. Years later, Paul Young's version of the song was a UK No. 1 single for three weeks in July 1983...
" (Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Barrett StrongBarrett StrongBarrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
, Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
) – 6:01 (extended club mix) - "Ku Ku Kurama" (Steve Bolton) – 4:20
- "No Parlez" (Anthony MooreAnthony MooreAnthony Moore is a British experimental music composer, performer and producer. He was a founding member of the band Slapp Happy, worked with Henry Cow and has made a number of solo albums, including Flying Doesn't Help and World Service .As a lyricist, Moore has collaborated with Pink Floyd on...
) – 4:54 - "Behind your Smile" - 4:08
- "Love of the Common PeopleLove of the Common People (song)"Love of the Common People" is a folk ballad written and composed by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and first released in January 1967 by The Four Preps...
" (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins) – 5:41 (extended club mix) - "Oh Women" (Jack Lee) – 3:34 (3:34)
- "Iron Out the Rough Spots" (Steve CropperSteve CropperSteve Cropper , also known as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T...
, Booker T. JonesBooker T. JonesBooker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
, David PorterDavid Porter (musician)David Porter is an American soul musician. Porter is best known as the songwriting and production partner of Isaac Hayes at Stax Records during the 1960s...
) – 7:28 (extended club mix) - "Broken Man" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 3:55
- "Tender Trap" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 4:31
- "Sex" (Jack Lee) – 6:51 (extended club mix)
Production
- Arranged By Ian Kewley & Laurie Latham
- Produced By Laurie Latham
- Mastered By Tim Young
Personnel
- Drums: Mark Pinder
- Percussion: Ian Kewley, E.T. Latham, Mark Pinder
- Bass: Matt Irving, Ntobi Lekan, Pino PalladinoPino PalladinoPino Palladino is a Welsh bass guitarist who gained fame playing primarily rock and roll, blues rock, and rhythm and blues music, although he has been lauded for his ability to play most genres of popular music, including jazz, neo soul, and funk...
- Guitars: Steve Bolton
- Trombone: Rico RodriguezRico RodriguezRico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
- Backing Vocals: Nimsa Calliza, DagmarDagmar KrauseDagmar Krause is a German singer, best known for her work with avant-rock groups like Slapp Happy, Henry Cow and Art Bears. She is also noted for her coverage of songs by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler...
, Chief Dawethi, Eyethu, Zundi Lekau, Kim Lesley, Wally Loak, Jabu Mbato, Fats Mogoboya, Maz Roberts, Norman Zulu
2008 re-release
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and worldwide on 5 August 2008 as a 25th-anniversary edition. It contains the original 11 tracks as well as a bonus 10-track disc with a combination of B-sides, remixes and live tracks. Although the booklet claims that this is the original vinyl album on CD, 3 songs are shortened from their vinyl release; "Come Back and Stay", "Love Will Tear Us Apart" & "Love of the Common People". The original vinyl versions of these tracks remain unreleased.
The Extended Club mixes of "Wherever I Lay My Hat" & "Sex", the full version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and the Scratch Mix of "Come Back and Stay" are unique to the original CD release as these have not been included on the 25th anniversary edition.
Track listing 25th Anniversary Album release
- "Come Back and StayCome Back and Stay"Come Back and Stay" is a song that was first recorded in 1981 by its writer Jack Lee. In 1983, singer Paul Young released his version as a single from his album, No Parlez, and it became an international hit....
" (Jack Lee) – 4:24 - "Love Will Tear Us ApartLove Will Tear Us Apart"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by the British post-punk band Joy Division. It was written in August and September 1979, and debuted when the band supported Buzzcocks on their UK tour in September and October 1979. It is one of the few songs in which singer Ian Curtis played guitar...
" (Ian CurtisIan CurtisIan Kevin Curtis was an English singer and lyricist, famous for leading the post-punk band Joy Division. Joy Division released their debut album, Unknown Pleasures, in 1979 and recorded their follow-up, Closer, in 1980...
, Peter HookPeter HookPeter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
, Stephen Morris, Bernard SumnerBernard SumnerBernard Sumner , also known as Bernard Dickin, Bernard Dicken and Bernard Albrecht is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and producer....
) - 4:17 - "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)"Wherever I Lay My Hat " is a song written by Marvin Gaye, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield, and first recorded by Gaye in 1962. Years later, Paul Young's version of the song was a UK No. 1 single for three weeks in July 1983...
" (Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Barrett StrongBarrett StrongBarrett Strong is an American singer and songwriter. Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best remembered for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.-His career:Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry...
, Norman WhitfieldNorman WhitfieldNorman Jesse Whitfield was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s...
) – 5:18 - "Ku Ku Kurama" (Steve Bolton) – 4:20
- "No Parlez" (Anthony MooreAnthony MooreAnthony Moore is a British experimental music composer, performer and producer. He was a founding member of the band Slapp Happy, worked with Henry Cow and has made a number of solo albums, including Flying Doesn't Help and World Service .As a lyricist, Moore has collaborated with Pink Floyd on...
) – 4:54 - "Love of the Common PeopleLove of the Common People (song)"Love of the Common People" is a folk ballad written and composed by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins and first released in January 1967 by The Four Preps...
" (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins) – 4:00 - "Oh Women" (Jack Lee) – 3:34
- "Iron Out the Rough Spots" (Steve CropperSteve CropperSteve Cropper , also known as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T...
, Booker T. JonesBooker T. JonesBooker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
, David PorterDavid Porter (musician)David Porter is an American soul musician. Porter is best known as the songwriting and production partner of Isaac Hayes at Stax Records during the 1960s...
) – 4:47 - "Broken Man" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 3:55
- "Tender Trap" (Ian Kewley, Paul Young) – 4:31
- "Sex" (Jack Lee) – 4:49
Bonus Disc track listing
- Come Back and Stay (Extended Club Mix) - 7:34 [different remix compared to the original CD release]
- Iron Out the Rough Spots (Extended Club Mix) - 7:28 [same version as on the original CD release]
- Love of the Common People (Extended Mix) - 5:51 [same version as on the original CD release]
- Behind Your Smile - 4:10 [same as on the original CD release]
- I've Been Lonely For So LongI've Been Lonely for So Long"I've Been Lonely For So Long" is a pop-soul song recorded by American southern soul singer Frederick Knight. The song, written by Posie Knight and Jerry Weaver, was released in 1972 by Stax Records....
- 3:37 - Yours - 5:39 [extended club mix, B-side from "Come Back and Stay")
- Sex (Demo Version) - 3:49
- Pale Shelter (Demo Version) - 3:50
- Better To Have and Don't Need (Live Version) - 5:57 (B-side from "Love of the Common People" 12 inch)
- Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) [Live Version] - 5:59 (B-side from "Love of the Common People" 12 inch)