Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me

"Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" is a popular song in the UK by Slade.^[1]

Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler, Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me was the band's fifth number one single in the United Kingdom, and their second to debut at the top spot immediately, spending three weeks at the top in July 1973. Typical of Slade's releases at the time, it fared less well in the US where it failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 but also peaked at #1 in Ireland.

For the Record and Radio Mirror poll results of 1974, the single peaked at #9 on the top ten list of best British singles.^[2]

"Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" also features in the BBC series Blackpool.^[3]

The single sold 300,000 copies in the first week of release.^[4][5]

The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in July 1973.^[6]

The single peaked at #174 for 1973 on rateyourmusic.^[7]

Background

Lea got the idea of the track at the Trumpet pub in Bilston where local pianist Reg Kierle was playing piano. At the time of the release, drummer Don Powell suffered serious injuries in a car crash and the producers of Top of the Pops would not allow Slade to perform as a 3 piece band. Dancers were shown instead. The b-side was briefly considered as a novelty single but the idea was scratched after Powell's accident.^[8]

The single was recorded whilst the band were touring in America, originally being titled "You Know How To Squeeze Me".^[9][10]

Reportedly, the band only recorded the song as a joke, not intending for it to be released at all. After promoting the song upon release, the band soon disowned the song, never performing it live again.

No official promotional video was created due to Powell's injuries.^[11][12]

In reference to the single, Slade t-shirts with the song's title were made available, used on the Top of the Pops video and seen in the Sun newspaper of the time.^[13][14]

The song was voted #1 of the top three Slade songs that fans would most want to hear live in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.^[15][16]

Track listing

7" Single

1. "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" - 3:27
2. "Kill 'Em At The Hot Club Tonite" - 3:20

Critical reception

Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single upon release, "One-third of the big three up for review this week - those delicately framed arbiters of immaculate taste, Slade. This Noddy-Jim song gives old leather-lungs a satisfactory showcase. They don't change much, but why should they? They go for smash and grab tactics - nipping one by the whatsits. That rolling rhythm pushes the whole thing along with alarming verve and gusto. You WILL get with it, the lads insist in their charmingly courteous way. You WILL, from the first crashing-smashing phrase kindly take notice, they demand. And you do. But don't ignore the flip side here - it's a drastic change of style, putting them back into hotchama-chotcha days, with violin swinging amiably. What a grate groop! - chart certain."^[17]

NME magazine wrote "A place in the top three for Slade's "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me". The start is fussy, and those "whoa-whoa's" in the chorus are a drag. The beat's strong and the words in the verses are the best yet, but all around this doesn't beat "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" or "Gudbuy T' Jane", and it looks like time for Noddy to slow down and show the world what a good singer he is."^[18]

Chart performance

Cover versions

• In 1973, Finnish singer Muska recorded a version of the song for her self-titled album. The song is titled 'Sä Oot Pliisu'.^[29]
• In 1973, German composer and big band leader James Last recorded an instrumental orchestrated version of the song for the album "Non Stop Dancing 1974".^[30]
• In 1998, tribute band Glam Rock All-Stars recorded a medley track along with other Slade songs Cum On Feel the Noize, Mama Weer All Crazee Now and Gudbuy T' Jane for the album Glam Rock Party Supermix.
• In 2001, Scottish rock vocalist Doogie White recored a version of the track for the tribute album Slade Remade.^[31]

Personnel

• Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
• Jim Lea: Bass guitar and backing vocals
• Dave Hill: Lead guitar and backing vocals
• Don Powell: Drums

References