Nobody's Fool (Slade song)
Encyclopedia
"Nobody's Fool" is a single
from rock band Slade
which appeared on the album Nobody's Fools
. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
and bassist Jim Lea
. The single was released in 1976 and did not enter the UK charts. This was unusual for Slade whose previous 17 singles entered the top 20.
From this single, the band found themselves in a commercial decline after UK fans accused the band of 'selling out' and forgetting about their fanbase in the UK, as the band had been in the States for most of 1975, trying to crack the market. This single featured Tasha Thomas
doing backing vocals, the first in a Slade track.
The single A-side features an edited piano introduction, compared to the album version.
The b-side 'L.A. Jinx' tells of the bad luck that Slade always seemed to accompany the band whenever they played L.A.
Nobody's Fool has been covered by Light Fantastic
, Britney Fox and also The Dummies which was a project of Slade's bassist Jim Lea.
The single peaked at #293 for 1976 on rateyourmusic.
music, with all the harmonies, solo piano breaks etc. Therefore it was intended that "Nobody's Fool" would be some twenty minute extravaganza, with everything thrown in. Later, when it was discussed, it was obvious that this type of number wouldn't appeal to the stomping Slade fan of the day. Thus the band only recorded a short version of the piece - but even that, which featured the unheard of act of female backing vocalists show what an adventurous number it was. It was true that this wouldn't have appealed to Slade fans at the time, as when a single version of the number was released, it flopped - breaking Slade's run of seventeen hit singles.
7" Single (Alternate 7" version)
7" Single (US 7" version)
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 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 appeared on the album Nobody's Fools
Nobody's Fools (album)
Nobody's Fools is the 5th studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released in March, 1976 and reached position #14 on the UK album charts....
. 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 released in 1976 and did not enter the UK charts. This was unusual for Slade whose previous 17 singles entered the top 20.
From this single, the band found themselves in a commercial decline after UK fans accused the band of 'selling out' and forgetting about their fanbase in the UK, as the band had been in the States for most of 1975, trying to crack the market. This single featured Tasha Thomas
Tasha Thomas
Tasha Thomas was an American singer-songwriter and actress, known for her role as Aunt Em in the original Broadway production of The Wiz. Thomas also had a hit single, "Shoot Me ," from her 1979 album, Midnight Rendezvous.-Music career:Thomas was born in Jeutyn, Alaska...
doing backing vocals, the first in a Slade track.
The single A-side features an edited piano introduction, compared to the album version.
The b-side 'L.A. Jinx' tells of the bad luck that Slade always seemed to accompany the band whenever they played L.A.
Nobody's Fool has been covered by Light Fantastic
Light Fantastic
Light Fantastic may be:* Light Fantastic , a BBC Four documentary television series about the history and discovery of light* Light Fantastic , a 1999 album by Steve Roach...
, Britney Fox and also The Dummies which was a project of Slade's bassist Jim Lea.
The single peaked at #293 for 1976 on rateyourmusic.
Background
Upon recording the song in 1976, bassist/co-writer Jim Lea was really into Queen'sQueen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
music, with all the harmonies, solo piano breaks etc. Therefore it was intended that "Nobody's Fool" would be some twenty minute extravaganza, with everything thrown in. Later, when it was discussed, it was obvious that this type of number wouldn't appeal to the stomping Slade fan of the day. Thus the band only recorded a short version of the piece - but even that, which featured the unheard of act of female backing vocalists show what an adventurous number it was. It was true that this wouldn't have appealed to Slade fans at the time, as when a single version of the number was released, it flopped - breaking Slade's run of seventeen hit singles.
Formats
7" Single- "Nobody's Fool" - 3:50
- "L.A. Jinx" - 3:57
7" Single (Alternate 7" version)
- "Nobody's Fool" - 4:20
- "L.A. Jinx" - 3:57
7" Single (US 7" version)
- "Nobody's Fool (Edit)" - 3:15
- "When the Chips are Down" - 4:16
Critical reception
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine gave a thumbs up, symbolising a hit. The magazine reviewed the single, "Title track from their latest album, and released to coincide with Slade's celebrations of ten years in the business, this is one of the best singles Slade have released for ages. Very catchy, from the first hearing. Bright and bouncy, and Slade at their best. Instant hit."Chart performance
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart | 21 | 2 |
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar and piano
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar
- Don Powell: Drums
Additional Personnel
- Tasha ThomasTasha ThomasTasha Thomas was an American singer-songwriter and actress, known for her role as Aunt Em in the original Broadway production of The Wiz. Thomas also had a hit single, "Shoot Me ," from her 1979 album, Midnight Rendezvous.-Music career:Thomas was born in Jeutyn, Alaska...
- Backing vocals - Producer on "Nobody's Fool" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "Nobody's Fool" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Producer on "L.A. Jinx" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "L.A. Jinx" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
- Producer on "When the Chips Are Down" - Chas Chandler
- Writers of "When the Chips Are Down" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea