Slam the Hammer Down

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"Slam the Hammer Down"
Sladesingle-slamthehammerdown.JPG
Single by Slade
from the album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome & Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply
B-side "Slam the Hammer Down (Hotter)"
Released1984
Genre Hard rock
Length2:50
Label CBS
Songwriter(s) Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producer(s) Jim Lea
Slade singles chronology
"Run Runaway"
(1984)
"Slam the Hammer Down"
(1984)
"All Join Hands"
(1984)
Audio sample

"Slam the Hammer Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1984 as a promotional-only single from the band's American studio album Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply . [1] It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Lea.

Contents

Background

The 1983 success of Quiet Riot's version of Slade's 1973 UK chart topper "Cum On Feel the Noize" led to Slade signing with CBS for their first American record deal since the 1970s. The label soon repackaged the band's 1983 album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome into Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply . [2] "Run Runaway" successfully broke the band in America, while "My Oh My" also reached the Top 40. Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, released in April, reached No. 33. [3] During 1984, "Slam the Hammer Down" was also released as a promotional-only 12" vinyl single by CBS. [4] For the release, Shep Pettibone was commissioned to remix the song into two versions: "Hot" on the A-side and "Hotter" on the B-side. [2]

"Slam the Hammer Down" opens with a shouted soliloquy by Holder from a helicopter. [5] Speaking of the song's lyrics in a 1984 fan club interview, Holder said: "Another motor-racing theme - translate the double meaning at your leisure." [6] The band performed the song at the 1984 Montreux Festival. [7]

Critical reception

In a review of The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, Record Mirror described the song as a "meaty great splodge of gut gurgling notes and Holder's voice freshly rubbed down with 00 gauge wire wool". Jerry Harris of Sounds highlighted "Slam the Hammer Down" as one of his favourite tracks from the album. He described it as "classic Slade party material". [8] Kerrang! noted Holder's "formidable voice" on the song, adding that the track was a "raucous, rollicking and simply addictive little riot that kicks the album off with a resounding start". [8]

In a review of Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, Chicago Tribune said the song "should satisfy even the most demanding metal-head". [6] In a retrospective review of the album, Joe Geesin of Get Ready to Rock! said "The riffs were still big, and the solos were if anything better, more metal, if commercial metal (check out opener "Slam the Hammer Down")." [9]

Track listing

12" Single
  1. "Slam The Hammer Down (Hot)" - 2:50
  2. "Slam The Hammer Down (Hotter)" - 3:50

Personnel

Slade

Additional credits

Related Research Articles

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"Gudbuy T'Jane" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the second single from their third studio album Slayed?. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 2 in the UK, remaining in the charts for thirteen weeks. The song was certified UK Silver by BPI in 1973. In the United States, the song reached No. 68. It was also included on the band's 1973 compilation album Sladest.

My Friend Stan

"My Friend Stan" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1973 as the first single from the band's fourth studio album Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 2 in the UK, spending eight weeks on the chart. The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in October 1973.

Far Far Away (song)

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How Does It Feel (Slade song)

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Still the Same (Slade song)

"Still the Same" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the lead single from their fourteenth studio album You Boyz Make Big Noize. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by John Punter. It reached No. 73 in the UK, remaining in the charts for four weeks.

(And Now the Waltz) Cest La Vie

"(And Now the Waltz) C'est La Vie" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1982 as the lead single from the band's eleventh studio album The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome. It was also included on its 1984 American counterpart Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Lea. It reached No. 50 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

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Thats What Friends Are For (Slade song)

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We Wont Give In

"We Won't Give In" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the fourth and final single from their fourteenth studio album You Boyz Make Big Noize. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Lea. It failed to reach the UK Top 100, reaching No. 121.

Rock n Roll Bolero

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Ooh La La in L.A.

"Ooh La La in L.A." is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the third single from their fourteenth studio album You Boyz Make Big Noize. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by John Punter.

References

  1. "Slade - Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome - 2007 Salvo remaster booklet liner notes
  3. "Slade - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  4. "ALL Discography @ www.collectadisc.co.uk". Collectadisc.co.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  5. "CD Album - Slade - The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome - Salvo - Europe". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. 1 2 "1984 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  7. "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  8. 1 2 "1983 Press Cuttings". Slade Scrapbook. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  9. "Get Ready to ROCK! Review of CD album resissues by rock band Slade called The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome,You Boyz Make Big Noize,The Collection 70-87,Rogues Gallery". Getreadytorock.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.