| "Gudbuy T' Jane" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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German/European cover of "Gudbuy T'Jane". |
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| Single by Slade | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| from the album Slayed? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| B-side | I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Released | 17 November, 1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Format | 7" Single | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre | Glam rock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 3:33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Polydor Records | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Noddy Holder; Jim Lea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Producer | Chas Chandler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Slade singles chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Gudbuy T' Jane" is a hit single from glam rock band Slade released in 1972. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and appeared on their album Slayed?.[1] The single peaked at #2 in the UK, losing the number one spot to Chuck Berry's single My Ding-A-Ling.[2] It did however, peak at #1 in the New Musical Express charts. Slade's two previous singles had charted at #1 in the UK. The single lasted 13 weeks in the top 100. It stayed in the top 10 from the moment it was released for 8 weeks.[3] The single was also the most successful of Slade's 1970's singles in the United States, peaking at #68.[4] It wouldn't be until 1983 when Slade's single My Oh My would beat that position.[5]
The single peaked at #1 on the NME singles chart.
The single was awarded a UK Silver Disc in early 1973.[6][7]
The single peaked at #209 for 1972 on rateyourmusic.[8]
In 1981, drummer Don Powell was asked in a fan club interview for his three favourite Slade songs. Powell stated "Far Far Away", "Standin' on the Corner" and "Gudbuy T'Jane" as his favourites.[9][10]
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At the time, the band were on tour and needed a follow up track to Mama Weer All Crazee Now. The idea came to Lea while he was sitting by a pool in San Diego. He completed it in the toilet in the plane on the flight home. Holder's lyrics came from a TV show he saw in San Francisco on which the band appeared, and on which a girl called Jane demonstrated a Sex Machine. Holder completed his lyrics just prior to the session. Holder's original lyrics were Hello To Jane. Jim decided that it would sound better as Goodbye To Jane when they went to record it. The loose feel of the record is explained by the fact this was Take 2 and the band had never played the song before until that day.[11]
In a November 1980 Sounds magazine interview, Lea spoke of the song. "I didn't even like some of those old ones. We all hated 'Gudbye T' Jane' when we made it, it was knocked up in half an hour at the end of one of our studio sessions."[12][13]
Cover versions have been created by artists Mission (as Metal Gurus), Van Halen (live only), Britny Fox, UK PLC, Flashback Band, Redbeards From Texas, Stiv Bators, The Sirens, The Replacements, The Oppressed, Bodies Falling... and The Griffin.[14]
Britny Fox planned for their version to be taken from their debut album and released as a single which the music video was hoped to feature cameos from Slade. The single was never released so the idea never took off.[15][16]
The song was originally titled "Hello T'Jane".[17][18]
"Gudbuy T'Jane" was voted #3 of the top three Slade live tracks in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.[19][20]
Two music videos were created for the single, both by Caravelle. The first was made at an observatory and the group were filmed portraying scientists stalking around with white coats and clipboards. Close-up shots of guitarist Dave Hill's platform boots when the song mentions 'H Hill's left shoe'. For the second film, Caravelle were permissioned by Polydor Records, rather than Top of The Pops. The film was to give the impression of Slade playing live at their 'London Rainbow' concert. In actual fact all the shots of the band were taken during the afternoon before the gig. The audience shots were taken live at the gig - the only thing being that they were filmed during 'Hear Me Calling' - thus the audience cannot be seen in time with "Gudbuy T'Jane". Slade, during the video, have their clothes and instruments covered with 'I've Been Slayed' stickers.[18][21]
Although not clear as to which video, one of the song's video was voted #3 of the top three Slade music videos in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.[19][20]
Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single upon release, "Another slice of Slade, with a drum-beat opening, with all that instant power and drive...on records - live concerts, too, come to that - the boys don't put a foot or tonsil wrong. Noddy fronts this ferocious build-up with his usual gruff efficiency; and there's a hustling bass-percussion rhythm that maintains the pressure. There's a running riff which reaches out and grabs. Their best yet? Hard to say but it is bloody good - chart certain."[22]
Danny Holloway for NME magazine wrote "Following "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", the Wolverhampton Wanders have chosen another Lea-Holder rigid rocker. There's a simple little drum intro as the guitars join in, followed by a ferocious bass line. Bound to storm the charts and should be a big Christmas seller for the band. During the past year Slade's songwriting has improved greatly. If they continue to progress at this rate, nothing can hold them back."[23][24]
| Chart (1972) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart[25] | 11 | 13 |
| Austrian Singles Chart[26] | 7 | 12 |
| Belgian Singles Chart[27] | 5 | 11 |
| Canadian Singles Chart[28] | 72 | 3 |
| Dutch Singles Chart[29] | 4 | 9 |
| French Singles Chart[30] | 8 | 18 |
| German Singles Chart[31] | 3 | 17 |
| Irish Singles Chart[32] | 2 | 10 |
| Japanese Singles Chart | 89 | 4 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 12 | |
| Norwegian Singles Chart[33] | 7 | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[34] | 4 | 11 |
| UK Singles Chart[35] | 2 | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[36] | 68 | 6 |
