You Boyz Make Big Noize (song)

Last updated

"You Boyz Make Big Noize"
Youboyz.jpg
Single by Slade
B-side "You Boyz Make Big Noize" (Instrumental)
Released27 July 1987 [1]
Genre Rap rock, hard rock
Length3:01
Label Cheapskate
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Jim Lea
Slade singles chronology
"Ooh La La in L.A."
(1987)
"You Boyz Make Big Noize"
(1987)
"We Won't Give In"
(1987)
Audio sample

You Boyz Make Big Noize is a song by English rock band Slade, released on 27 July 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. [2]

Contents

The song did not appear on the UK/European release of the You Boyz Make Big Noize album. However, later editions would add the song as the thirteenth track. For the album's CBS release in the United States, "You Boyz Make Big Noize" was included, replacing the fourth track "Fools Go Crazy".

Background

Shortly prior to the release of Slade's fourteenth studio album You Boyz Make Big Noize, the band returned to the recording studio to record a song of the same name. After the album failed to generate the expected level of commercial success, RCA opted not to release the song of the same name, but allowed the band to release it on the independent label Cheapskate. [3] Released in July 1987, it reached No. 94 in the UK. [4] [2] CBS, Slade's American label, liked the song and had it included on the album which was released later in the year. [5]

"You Boyz Make Big Noize" features Beastie Boys rap-styled verses. Prior to the song's release, guitarist Dave Hill described the song as "a rock rap thing with a Beastie Boys feel to it." [6] [7] The song featured vocals from Vicki Brown, and in a 1987 fan club interview, Lea explained how Brown came to be on the song: "She was wandering along a corridor and Noddy said "ere, you're female, do you want to be on our record?" She was not supposed to sing, she was supposed to say two lines but she sang one of the lines and she had this amazing voice. I wish we had written more for her." [8] [5]

Release

"You Boyz Make Big Noize" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by Cheapskate Records in the UK only. [9] [10] The B-side, "Boyz (Instrumental)", was exclusive to the single and would later appear on the band's 2007 compilation B-Sides . On the 12" single, an extended version of "You Boyz Make Big Noize", dubbed as the "Noize Remix", was featured as the A-side. The lead guitar on the remix was played by Lea. [11] A second B-side was also included; the "U.S.A Mix" of the song. [12] The artwork for the single is the same as that of the You Boyz Make Big Noize album.

Promotion

On 15 August 1987, the band appeared on the ITV show Get Fresh to perform the song, with Bren Laidler miming Vicki Brown's vocal part. The band also performed "Ooh La La in L.A." on the show. [13]

Critical reception

Upon its release, Jon Hotten of Kerrang! wrote, "Never thought I'd find myself saying this after giving the boyz' last album a bit of a slag, but I like it! Especially the 12" Noize remix with the Noddy rap proving they've got the measure of those nasty Beasties, who could learn a lesson or two from the original rabble rousers." [14] Jim Whiteford of The Kilmarnock Standard commented, "They've been mis-spelling their song titles since 1971 and still manage to grab chart positions all these years later. Happy pop with no airs and graces and just enough melody to succeed again." [15] Paul Benbow of the Reading Evening Post stated, "Talking of bad English, these boyz are masters at it. They take on the beasties with the Wolverhampton version." [16] Selina Webb of the Bucks Advertiser awarded three out of five stars and wrote, "Here Slade are doing a Beastie Boys bit which could well get them another hit. But number one? No way." [17]

Phil Trow of Signal Radio, writing for the Evening Sentinel , was critical, "Imagine a group of O.A.P.'s waiting outside the post office launching into a chorus of Beastie Boys music and you've got Noddy Holder and the Boyz' latest release. No chance of being a hit." [18] John Gibson of the Edinburgh Evening News remarked that, with the track, "desperate Slade really do sound like the oldest rock teenagers in the business". [19]

Formats

7-inch single (UK) [20]

  1. "You Boyz Make Big Noize" – 3:01
  2. "Boyz" (Instrumental) – 3:02

12-inch single (UK) [21]

  1. "You Boyz Make Big Noize" (Noize Remix) – 5:31
  2. "You Boyz Make Big Noize" (Instrumental Boyz Version) – 3:01
  3. "You Boyz Make Big Noize" (The USA Mix) – 3:00

Personnel

Slade

Additional musicians

Production

Charts

Chart (1987)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart [2] 94
UK Heavy Metal Singles (Spotlight Research) [22] 12

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slade</span> British rock band

Slade are an English rock band formed in Wolverhampton in 1966. They rose to prominence during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, achieving 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones on the UK Singles Chart. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles. They were the first act to have three singles enter the charts at number one; all six of the band's chart-toppers were penned by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea. As of 2006, total UK sales stood at over 6,500,000. Their best-selling single, "Merry Xmas Everybody", sold in excess of one million copies. According to the 1999 BBC documentary It's Slade, the band have sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

<i>You Boyz Make Big Noize</i> 1987 studio album by Slade

You Boyz Make Big Noize is the fourteenth and final studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 27 April 1987 and reached number 98 in the UK Albums Chart. The album was largely produced by bassist Jim Lea, with two tracks produced by John Punter and another two by Roy Thomas Baker. It was the last studio album by the original lineup, prior to their split in 1992.

<i>Old New Borrowed and Blue</i> 1974 studio album by Slade

Old New Borrowed and Blue is the fourth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 15 February 1974 and reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. It has been certified Gold by BPI. The album was produced by Chas Chandler. For the album, Slade attempted to begin breaking away from their usual rock formula. For example, the singles "My Friend Stan" and "Everyday" were piano-led and did not have the typical "Slade" sound.

<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">Let's Dance (Chris Montez song)</span> 1962 single by Chris Montez

"Let's Dance" is a 1962 hit single by Chris Montez, written and produced by Jim Lee.

<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">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">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">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">Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)</span> 1975 single by Slade

"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. 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.

<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">That's What Friends Are For (Slade song)</span> 1987 single by Slade

That's What Friends Are For is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1987 as the second single from their fourteenth and final studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Roy Thomas Baker. "That's What Friends Are For" reached number 95 in the UK Singles Chart.

<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">We Won't Give In</span> 1987 single by Slade

"We Won't Give In" is a song by English rock band Slade which originally appeared on the soundtrack of the 1986 British drama film Knights & Emeralds. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Lea. In 1987, it was released as the fourth and final single from the band's fourteenth studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize, and reached number 121 in the UK Singles Chart.

<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">Knuckle Sandwich Nancy</span> 1981 single by Slade

"Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" is a song by English rock band Slade, released by Cheapskate in 1981 as the lead single from their tenth studio album, Till Deaf Do Us Part. The song was written by band members Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" failed to enter the UK Singles Chart, but did reach number 101 in the Record Business Bubbling Under Singles chart.

<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.

The Dummies was a musical project formed by Slade bassist Jim Lea and his brother Frank Lea in 1979. Between 1979 and 1981, they released three singles and recorded a number of original and Slade songs, which were collected on the 1992 album A Day in the Life of the Dummies.

<i>A Day in the Life of the Dummies</i> 1992 studio album by The Dummies

A Day in the Life of the Dummies is a compilation album by The Dummies, which was a musical project of Jim Lea of Slade and his brother Frank. The album was released in March 1992 and gathers all of the 1979-80 recordings produced by the pair.

References

  1. Smith, Robin (18 July 1987). "News Digest". Record Mirror . p. 17.
  2. 1 2 3 "Slade; full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  3. Slade International Fan Club newsletter July - August - September 1987
  4. "Cheapskate Records Ltd. - CDs and Vinyl at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  5. 1 2 Ian Edmundson. "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  6. "1987 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  7. Slade International Fan Club newsletter April - May - June 1987
  8. Slade International Fan Club newsletter October - November - December 1987
  9. "ALL Discography @ www.collectadisc.co.uk". Collectadisc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  10. "Slade - You Boyz Make Big Noize at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  11. Slade International Fan Club newsletter October - November - December 1988
  12. "Slade - You Boyz Make Big Noize (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  13. "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  14. Hotten, Jon (6 August 1987). "Singlez". Kerrang! . No. 152. p. 27. ISSN   0262-6624.
  15. Whiteford, Jim (31 July 1987). "Records: Singles" . The Kilmarnock Standard . p. 7. Retrieved 20 October 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. Benbow, Paul (29 August 1987). "45 - Singles - 45" . Reading Evening Post . p. 15. Retrieved 20 October 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  17. Webb, Selina (28 August 1987). "Outlook: Latest Releases" . Bucks Advertiser . p. 33. Retrieved 20 June 2024 via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. Trow, Phil (25 July 1987). "Buzz - Reviews/Previews: Singles" . Evening Sentinel . p. 10. Retrieved 20 October 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. Gibson, John (5 September 1987). "John Gibson's Music: Singles" . Edinburgh Evening News . p. 11. Retrieved 20 October 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. You Boyz Make Big Noize (UK 7-inch single sleeve notes). Slade. Cheapskate. 1987. BOYZ 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. You Boyz Make Big Noize (UK 12-inch single sleeve notes). Slade. Cheapskate. 1987. T BOYZ 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. "Singles". Kerrang! . No. 153. 20 August 1987. p. 41. ISSN   0262-6624.