Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)

Last updated

"Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)"
Sladesingle-thanksforthememory.jpg
Single by Slade
B-side "Raining in My Champagne"
Released9 May 1975 [1]
Genre Rock
Length4:33
Label Polydor
Songwriter(s) Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producer(s) Chas Chandler
Slade singles chronology
"How Does It Feel"
(1975)		"Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)"
(1975)		"In for a Penny"
(1975)
Audio sample

"Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as a non-album single. [2] It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 7 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks. [3]

Contents

Background

"Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" was Slade's first new single following their film Slade in Flame . Although it later received recognition as one of the greatest rock films of all time, the initial reception towards the film was less positive, particularly from fans who did not expect the film to have such a bleak and sour atmosphere. [4] Following the single release of the film's theme tune, "How Does It Feel", "Thanks for the Memory" was released in May 1975. It reached No. 7 and would be the band's last Top 10 single until 1981's "We'll Bring the House Down". [5] In the first two weeks of release, the single sold 200,000 copies. [6] [7]

"Thanks for the Memory" is notable for its use of keyboard, which, at the time, was new to a Slade single. The part was played on the recording by Lea, after an audition failed to find a session keyboardist who could play the part as the band wanted. [8] In a 1976 interview with Capital Radio, Holder cited the song as one of his favourites. [9] Shortly after its release, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham told Lea he liked the song and would loved to have played on it. [8]

Release

"Thanks for the Memory" was released on 7" vinyl by Polydor Records in the UK, Ireland, across Europe, Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. [10] [11] The B-side, "Raining in My Champagne", was exclusive to the single and would later appear on the band's 2007 compilation B-Sides . Although the song was a non-album single elsewhere, it was included on the United States Warner Bros. Records release of Slade in Flame in 1975.

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was directed by either Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine. The video featured the band performing the song with Holder wearing a red and yellow-spotted jacket and large kipper tie, with guitarist Dave Hill in black studded cowboy-type gear. [12] [13] In the UK, the band performed the song on the music show Top of the Pops and the children's show Shang-a-Lang .

Critical reception

Upon release, Sue Byrom of Record Mirror described it as a "very fast, driving single" and added, "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. This is such a different sound it's difficult to gauge just what it'll do, but I don't think it's going to be one of their biggest hits." [14] Sounds felt the song marked a "considerable change of pace for Slade", but "one of their best". [15] Melody Maker stated: "It's their best..." [6]

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" – 4:30
  2. "Raining In My Champagne" – 4:12

Personnel

Slade

Production

Charts

Chart (1975)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [16] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [17] 36
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [18] 15
Ireland (IRMA) [19] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [20] 24
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [21] 16
Norway (VG-lista) [22] 5
UK Singles (OCC) [23] 7
West Germany (Official German Charts) [24] 13

Related Research Articles

<i>Nobodys Fools</i> 1976 studio album by Slade

Nobody's Fools is the sixth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released in March 1976 and reached No. 14 in the UK. The album was produced by Chas Chandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mama Weer All Crazee Now</span> 1972 single by Slade

"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the lead 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. 1 in the UK, giving the band their third number one single, and remained in the charts for ten weeks. In the United States, the song reached No. 76.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We'll Bring the House Down (song)</span> 1981 single by Slade

"We'll Bring The House Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1981 as the lead single from their ninth studio album We'll Bring the House Down. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. The band's first single to reach the UK Top 40 since 1977, the song peaked at No. 10 in the UK, remaining in the chart for nine weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gudbuy T'Jane</span> 1972 song by British rock band Slade

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Friend Stan</span> 1973 single by Slade

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everyday (Slade song)</span> 1974 single by Slade

"Everyday" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1974 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder, bassist Jim Lea and his wife Louise Lea (uncredited), and was produced by Chas Chandler. It reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart and spent seven weeks in the top 50. The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in April 1974, only three days after its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Far Far Away (song)</span> 1974 single by Slade

"Far Far Away" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1974 as the lead single from the band's first soundtrack album and fifth studio album Slade in Flame, in promotion of the upcoming film of the same name. The song 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 six weeks. The song was certified UK Silver by BPI in November 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Look Wot You Dun</span> 1972 single by Slade

"Look Wot You Dun" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as a non-album single. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder, bassist Jim Lea and drummer Don Powell, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 4 in the UK, remaining in the charts for ten weeks. The song would be included on the band's 1973 compilation album Sladest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Does It Feel (Slade song)</span> 1975 single by Slade

"How Does It Feel" is song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as the second single from the band's first soundtrack album and fifth studio album Slade in Flame, in promotion of the film of the same name. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 15 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bangin' Man</span> 1974 single by Slade

"The Bangin' Man" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1974 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 3 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks. The song was certified UK Silver by BPI for sales over 250,000 that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In for a Penny</span> 1975 single by Slade

"In for a Penny" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1975 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Nobody's Fools. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Chas Chandler. It reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for eight weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Call It Quits</span> 1976 single by Slade

"Let's Call It Quits" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1976 as the second single from their sixth studio album Nobody's Fools. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 11 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Still the Same (Slade song)</span> 1987 single by Slade

"Still the Same" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the lead single from their fourteenth and final studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter. "Still the Same" peaked at number 73 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gypsy Roadhog</span> 1977 single by Slade

"Gypsy Roadhog" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1977 as the only single from the band's seventh studio album Whatever Happened to Slade. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 48 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Boyz Make Big Noize (song)</span> 1987 single by Slade

You Boyz Make Big Noize is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1987 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Lea. Named after the band's 1987 album of the same name, the song reached number 94 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for the one week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheels Ain't Coming Down</span> 1981 single by Slade

"Wheels Ain't Coming Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the opening track from their eighth studio album Return to Base. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. In 1981, the song re-appeared on the band's follow-up album We'll Bring the House Down and was released as the second single from it in March, which reached No. 60 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam the Hammer Down</span> 1984 single by Slade

"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. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Lea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh La La in L.A.</span> 1987 single by Slade

"Ooh La La in L.A." is a song by English 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 was produced by John Punter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Winds Are Blowing</span> 1969 single by The Slade

"Wild Winds Are Blowing" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1969 as a non-album single under the name "The Slade". The song was written by Bob Saker and Jack Winsley, and produced by Chas Chandler. It failed to make an appearance in the UK charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sign of the Times (Slade song)</span> 1979 single by Slade

"Sign of the Times" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the second single from the band's eighth studio album Return to Base. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade.

References

  1. ↑ "Slade - Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)".
  2. ↑ "Slade - Thanks For The Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1975. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  3. ↑ "SLADE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  4. ↑ Slade in Flame - 2007 Salvo remaster booklet liner notes
  5. ↑ "slade | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  6. 1 2 "1975 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Slade Fan Club Newsletter June–July 1975
  8. 1 2 Slade - Wall of Hits - 1991 VHS interview prior to Thanks for the Memory video
  9. ↑ "Untitled Document". Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  10. ↑ "SLADE Discography @ www.collectadisc.co.uk". Collectadisc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "Slade - Thanks For The Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1975. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "1986 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  13. ↑ Slade International Fan Club newsletter June–July - August 1986
  14. ↑ Byrom, Sue (10 May 1975). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 25. ISSN   0144-5804.
  15. ↑ "1975 Press Cuttings". Slade Scrapbook. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "Slade – Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  17. ↑ "Slade – Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  18. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Slade". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 237. ISBN   978-952-7460-01-6.
  19. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Thanks for the Memory". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Slade" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Slade – Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Slade – Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "Slade: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Slade – Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.