Oh What a Shame

Last updated
"Oh What a Shame"
Single by Roy Wood
B-side "Bengal Jig"
ReleasedMay 1975
Recorded1975
Genre Pop music
Length3:51
Label Jet Records (JET 754) (UK), United Artists Records (US) [1]
Songwriter(s) Roy Wood
Producer(s) Roy Wood
Roy Wood singles chronology
"Goin' Down the Road"
(1974)
"Oh What a Shame"
(1975)
"Look Thru' the Eyes of a Fool"
(1975)

"Oh What a Shame" is a 1975 single, which was written and produced by Roy Wood. [1] Wood played all of the musical instruments on the recording, as well as supplying lead and multi-tracked backing vocals. The song was jointly globally published by Carlin Music Corp and Roy Wood Music. [2]

The track reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. [3] The single remained in the UK chart for seven weeks, starting in May 1975. [4] It was also released as a single in Belgium, Australia, Netherlands, Ireland and the US. [2] The single was the final solo Wood recording to reach the UK Singles Chart. [4] In 1977, two years after "Oh What A Shame" left the UK Top 20, Wood commented, "I've written something like 30 hit songs, you know? It's not easy now to accept that I'm not a success anymore". [5]

"Oh What a Shame" has appeared on numerous compilation albums, including Wood's own Singles (1993, Connoisseur Records). [6] and Exotic Mixture: Best of Singles A's & B's (1999). [7] It also appeared on the 1999 expanded CD reissue of Wood's 1975 album, Mustard . [8]

The record still commands national radio play in the UK; the most recent airing being on BBC Radio 2's Pick of the Pops on 6 July 2019. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 674. ISBN   1-84195-017-3.
  2. 1 2 "Roy Wood - Oh What A Shame". Discogs.com. May 1975. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  3. "ROY WOOD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  4. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, England: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 610. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  5. "Face The Music - Look Thru' the Eyes of Roy Wood & Wizzard - Sleeve Notes". Ftmusic.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  6. "Singles - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  7. "Exotic Mixture: Best of Singles A's & B's - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  8. "Mustard - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  9. "Roy Wood - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.