Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)
Encyclopedia
"Thanks for the Memory" is a single
from rock band Slade
. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder
and bassist Jim Lea
. The single was released in 1975 and peaked at #7 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart and only one week in the top 10. This became Slade's last top ten hit for 6 years. It is notable for the use of keyboard - at the time new to a Slade single although piano and organ had been used in previous material.
Record Mirror magazine voted the single #10 on the top 10 best singles in February 1976.
". The b-side was titled "Here's To (The New Year)".
Thanks For The Memory was censored upon release because the BBC took offence at the line "have a love smell on your sheet". Holder soon re-recorded the vocal as "have some honey with your meat" to allow play on Top of The Pops.
In the first two weeks, the single had sold 200,000 copies.
Holder cited the song as one of his favourites in a 1976 Capital Radio interview that was issued in the September-October 1979 fan club newsletter.
The front cover of the Slade Fan Club Newsletter for June and July 1975, featured a reprint of th single's promotional photo of Slade.
The track was covered by the artists Go Crazy and Not Fragile.
" music video, this video was again directed by either Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine who was working with Slade on the 1975 "Slade in Flame
" film. It featured vocalist/co-writer Noddy Holder in his red and yellow spotted jacket and huge kipper tie, and guitarist Dave Hill in his black studded cowboy-type gear. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea remembered that manager/producer Chas Chandler
wasn't too pleased with the end result.
7" Single (Alternate version)
Record Mirror magazine gave the single a sideway thumb, symbolising the song may or may not be a hit. The magazine wrote "Very fast, driving single from Noddy and the lads, the first for some time that hasn't been taken from the Slade in Flame film. The reaction from fans on their current tour seems to be as strong as ever, but that same reaction doesn't seem to have been as evident in their recent chart placings."
Melody maker stated "It's their best..."
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...
. 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 1975 and peaked at #7 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart and only one week in the top 10. This became Slade's last top ten hit for 6 years. It is notable for the use of keyboard - at the time new to a Slade single although piano and organ had been used in previous material.
Record Mirror magazine voted the single #10 on the top 10 best singles in February 1976.
Background
The song was originally titled "Here's To Your Health, Here's To Your Wealth". This version was later recorded by the band using a similar melody to "Thanks for the Memory" for the b-side of their 1985 hit single "All Join HandsAll Join Hands (Slade song)
"All Join Hands" is rock band Slade's third hit single in 1984 from the album Rogues Gallery. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1984 and peaked at #15 in the UK, spending 10 weeks on the chart. The single was aimed at the Christmas market and...
". The b-side was titled "Here's To (The New Year)".
Thanks For The Memory was censored upon release because the BBC took offence at the line "have a love smell on your sheet". Holder soon re-recorded the vocal as "have some honey with your meat" to allow play on Top of The Pops.
In the first two weeks, the single had sold 200,000 copies.
Holder cited the song as one of his favourites in a 1976 Capital Radio interview that was issued in the September-October 1979 fan club newsletter.
The front cover of the Slade Fan Club Newsletter for June and July 1975, featured a reprint of th single's promotional photo of Slade.
The track was covered by the artists Go Crazy and Not Fragile.
Music video
Like the "Far Far AwayFar 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...
" music video, this video was again directed by either Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine who was working with Slade on the 1975 "Slade in Flame
Slade In Flame
Slade In Flame is a 1975 film starring the members of the band Slade. In 2007, BBC film critic Mark Kermode called it the "Citizen Kane of rock musicals" and included its soundtrack among the 50 greatest soundtracks in cinema's history.Record Mirror magazine voted the film at #4 on the top 10...
" film. It featured vocalist/co-writer Noddy Holder in his red and yellow spotted jacket and huge kipper tie, and guitarist Dave Hill in his black studded cowboy-type gear. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea remembered that manager/producer Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts....
wasn't too pleased with the end result.
Formats
7" Single- "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" - 4:34
- "Raining In My Champagne" - 4:12
7" Single (Alternate version)
- "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" - 3:10
- "Raining In My Champagne" - 2:53
Critical reception
Upon release, Sounds magazine wrote "'Memory' is a considerable change of pace for Slade, leaning neither to their proven hard rock formula nor their more recent tunefulness, but implying at times both of these things whilst being, in essence, almost funky. One of their best in my view and one hopes that the heavily perspiring public will agree with me."Record Mirror magazine gave the single a sideway thumb, symbolising the song may or may not be a hit. The magazine wrote "Very fast, driving single from Noddy and the lads, the first for some time that hasn't been taken from the Slade in Flame film. The reaction from fans on their current tour seems to be as strong as ever, but that same reaction doesn't seem to have been as evident in their recent chart placings."
Melody maker stated "It's their best..."
Chart performance
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 30 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 12 |
| Belgium Singles Chart | 26 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 16 |
| German Singles Chart | 13 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 3 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 5 |
| UK Singles Chart | 7 |
Personnel
- Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
- Jim Lea: Bass guitar, keyboard and backing vocals
- Dave Hill: Lead guitar and backing vocals
- Don Powell: Drums