Cum On Feel the Noize

"Cum On Feel the Noize"
UK/European cover of "Cum On Feel the Noize".
Single by Slade
B-side	"I'm Mee, I'm Now, an' That's Orl"
Released	23 February 1973 May 1973 (US)
Format	7" single
Recorded	1973
Genre	Glam rock,[1] hard rock[2][3]
Length	4:24
Label	Polydor Records
Songwriter(s)	Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producer(s)	Chas Chandler
Slade singles chronology
"Gudbuy T' Jane" (1972) "Cum On Feel the Noize" (1973) "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" (1973)
"Gudbuy T' Jane" (1972) "Cum On Feel the Noize" (1973) "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" (1973)
Audio sample
file help
Alternative Cover
German/European cover of "Cum On Feel the Noize".
Alternative Cover
Dutch cover of "Cum On Feel the Noize".

"Cum On Feel the Noize" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1973 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. 1 in the UK, giving the band their fourth number one single, and remained in the charts for twelve weeks.^[4] The song would be included on the band's 1973 compilation album Sladest.^[5]

In 1983, the American heavy metal band Quiet Riot recorded their own version of the song, which was a million selling hit single in the United States, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background

Having achieved success in 1972 with Slade Alive! and Slayed?, the band released "Cum On Feel the Noize" in February 1973 as their first single of the year. The song gave the band their fourth number one in the UK, and also their first single to enter number one in its first week. This achievement had not been seen since The Beatles' "Get Back" in 1969.^[6] The song remained there for four consecutive weeks and sold 500,000 copies in its first three weeks of release.^[7][8] With "Cum On Feel the Noize", the band's manager Chas Chandler and Polydor's head John Fruin had devised a strategy to get the single to number one on the first week of release. The strategy used pre-release airplay to build up pre-order sales for the single.^[9] In America, the song reached No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[10]

"Cum On Feel the Noize" was the band's attempt to write about the atmosphere found at their concerts. Originally titled "Cum On Hear the Noize", Holder changed the title after recalling one of the band's 1972 UK concerts, where he "felt the sound of the crowd pounding in [his] chest".^[11][12][13] The song's introduction of Holder shouting "Baby, baby, baby" had just been a microphone test and was not intended for the finished recording.^[6]

In a 1984 interview with Record Mirror, Lea spoke of "Mama Weer All Crazee" and "Cum On Feel the Noize": "I was at a Chuck Berry gig in '72 and everybody was singing his tunes. He kept stopping and letting the crowd sing and it wasn't just a few people, it was everyone. I thought it was amazing and thought – why not write the crowd into the songs, and so we got round to "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" and "Cum On Feel the Noize" and all the chants were written into the tunes." In a 1986 fan club interview, guitarist Dave Hill said: "The song was based around audiences and things that were happening to us. They were just experiences. Obviously, when you are on the road, you are writing about being on the road, you're writing about what's going on."^[14]

The song, along with other Slade anthems, inspired American rock band Kiss to write several rock anthems of their own, including their 1975 song "Rock and Roll All Nite".

Release

"Cum On Feel the Noize" was released on 7" vinyl by Polydor Records in the UK, Ireland, across Europe, Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, America, Israel, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Japan and Lebanon.^[15][16] The B-Side, "I'm Mee, I'm Now, an' That's Orl", was exclusive to the single and would later appear on the band's 2007 compilation B-Sides.^[17]

In December 1983, the song was re-issued by Polydor in the UK on 7" and 12" vinyl. It reached No. 98 and remained in the charts for two weeks.^[7] The 7" version featured "Take Me Bak 'Ome" and "Gudbuy T'Jane" as the extra tracks, while the 12" version added "Coz I Luv You".^[18]

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was created by Caravelle and recorded at the band's concert at The Hague in the Netherlands.^[19] The song was also performed on numerous UK and European TV shows upon release, including the UK music show Top of the Pops.

Formats

7" Single

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "I'm Mee, I'm Now, An' That's Orl" – 3:41

7" Single (US promo)

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24

7" Single (Singapore E.P.)

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "I'm Mee, I'm Now, An' That's Orl" – 3:41
3. "Get Down and Get with It" - 4:12
4. "Gudbuy Gudbuy" - 3:30

7" Single (1975 Australian E.P.)

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" – 3:45
3. "Everyday" - 3:11
4. "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" - 3:31

7" Single (1983 UK re-issue)

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "Take Me Bak 'Ome" – 3:13
3. "Gudbuy T' Jane" – 3:31

12" Single (1983 UK re-issue)

1. "Cum On Feel the Noize" – 4:24
2. "Take Me Bak 'Ome" – 3:13
3. "Gudbuy T' Jane" – 3:31
4. "Coz I Luv You" – 3:24

Critical reception

Upon release, Disc commented: "With a shriek of 'Baby, baby, baby' we're into another Slade-up that doesn't sound radically different as other reviewers have insisted that it is. Slade do this pop/rock stomping better than anyone and it's interesting to observe how other companies are casting wildly about for a Slade of their own. Perhaps there's a more obvious melody, but Slade always include a bit of a tune anyway and therein lies their success, and there's a soccer sing-a-long chorus that'll grab you. Otherwise it's pretty much the successful recipe as before. Slade can actually play and Chas Chandler has worked wonders with them. Long may they all flourish."^[20] Sounds wrote: "Unmistakeably Slade – a rousing, raucous, rocker that follows its predecessors with an instantly recognisable sound. I know it sounds old hat, but Slade succeed in making the listener want to gyrate while other groups merely dream of a reaction. This one's a Lea/Holder composition with Noddy putting forth a sassy, powerful vocal and an audience accenting the chorus. Definitely number one."^[21]

In a 1986 fan club poll, Slade fans voted "Cum On Feel the Noize" as Slade's best single of the 1970s.^[22] In a retrospective review of the song, Dave Thompson of AllMusic described the song as "a deafening roar in the classic Slade mould" with a "distinctive lyric". He also commented on the "Baby, baby, baby" introduction, stating it was "one of the most distinctive intros of the age".^[11] In a retrospective review of Sladest, Paul Tinelli of AllMusic said: "Falling somewhere between the glam of T.Rex and the hard rock of Nazareth, Slade's finest moments came with arena rockers "Cum on Feel the Noize," "Mama Weer All Crazee Now," and "Gudbuy T'Jane," songs specifically written to be strong live numbers that would get kids up off their seats."^[23]

In 1999, Q listed "Cum On Feel the Noize" at No. 96 in their poll of the Top 100 singles of all time. They said: "More than any of their previous singles, this seemed to encapsulate the band's party-time ethos and Wolverhampton cheek. A classic performance from the sandpaper-throated Noddy Holder, the finest primal rock 'n' roll howler after Lennon. Best played very, very loud." In 2005, they listed the song at No. 62 in their poll "100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever!" In 2010, Classic Rock listed the song as one of 14 Slade songs that belong on an "Essential Playlist".

Chart performance

Personnel

Slade

• Noddy Holder - lead vocals, guitar
• Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
• Jim Lea - bass, backing vocals
• Don Powell - drums

Additional personnel

• Chas Chandler - producer

Quiet Riot version

"Cum On Feel the Noize"
Single by Quiet Riot
from the album Metal Health
B-side	"Run for Cover"
Released	July 1983
Genre	Glam metal, heavy metal
Length	4:50 (Album Version) 3:20 (Single Edit)
Label	Pasha
Songwriter(s)	Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producer(s)	Spencer Proffer
Quiet Riot singles chronology
"Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" (1983) "Cum On Feel the Noize" (1983) "Slick Black Cadillac" (1983)
"Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" (1983) "Cum On Feel the Noize" (1983) "Slick Black Cadillac" (1983)

In 1983, American heavy metal band Quiet Riot covered the song. Their version went on to reach No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1983 and helped their album Metal Health a number-one hit. The song's success drew huge nationwide attention to the 1980s Los Angeles metal scene and also helped to break Slade belatedly in the US in 1984, after signing a deal with CBS. The song was certified gold by the RIAA. In 2002, Quiet Riot's version of "Cum On Feel the Noize" was ranked No. 80 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. In 2009, VH1 also ranked it No. 41 of the "best hard rock song of all time".^[33]

Originally, lead vocalist Kevin DuBrow was dead set on not covering the song, because he wanted the band to write every song on the album and was not a big fan of Slade. Instead, the band decided to try to cover the song as badly as they could so the label would refuse to release it.^[34]

In a 1983 interview with Kerrang!, Holder spoke of the Quiet Riot version:

The first Slade knew about Quiet Riot was when they approached our publisher for permission to do "Cum On Feel the Noize". We agreed, never believing something like this would happen. In fact, the record was out for some while in the States before becoming a big hit, wasn't it? The really nice thing about the whole affair is that it proves how strong our songs are. After all; "Cum On Feel the Noize" is now ten years old, so it's obviously stood the test of time rather well!

We've actually been approached in the recent past by people wanting us to update one of our classics. But, not even seeing what a band like Quiet Riot have done so successfully with modern studio technology on an old Slade tune has persuaded us it's worth doing. There was a spontaneity and electricity about the numbers when we first did 'em that could never be recaptured now. There just wouldn't be the same feel so, no matter how much money is offered, we're not into prostituting our own heritage.

Speaking to Record Mirror in 1983, Lea stated: "Quiet Riot phoned us up and asked if they could use the song. They were a bit cheeky really because they had already recorded it. I think they've done a very good version and the song is a classic. Because of the success of the song in the States, we've also got five major record companies trying to outbid each other and sign us to a major deal. We've had ridiculous offers coming over the phone. We'll give you five Rolls Royces if you go with us, that kind of thing."

In a Ludwig drums interview, Quiet Riot's drummer Frankie Banali said:

"I think [Slade] were a little bitter about our success with their song. They had a hit with it in other territories but not in the US and later our version overshadowed theirs worldwide. Any real success in the US always seemed to elude Slade, so Quiet Riot having a major hit with "Cum On Feel the Noize" was bittersweet for them. When Quiet Riot played the Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1983, we offered them an invitation complete with a limo service to attend the show, but they never responded. Later I was shopping in Kensington Market and ran into Jimmy Lea. I wanted to shake his hand and thank him for writing a great song. He looked into my face, and walked away leaving me with nothing in my hand but air! I look at the situation like this: Quiet Riot received a great measure of success with the help of that song, and Slade received a great deal of money for their trouble. Fair enough!"

Chart performance

Sales certifications

Other cover versions

In music, film, television and video-games

• "Cum On Feel the Noize" was subsequently covered by Oasis in 1996 as a B-side to their single "Don't Look Back in Anger".
• In 1996, Canadian band Bran Van 3000 (BV3) released a cover of "Cum On Feel the Noize" on their first album Glee
• Quiet Riot's version of the song appeared on the soundtrack of the film Tropic Thunder. It is featured in the film Otis and in an episode of Malcolm in the Middle. It is also featured on the 2002 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on the fictional radio station "V-Rock".
• In 2006, Bobby Bare, Jr.'s Young Criminals Starvation League recorded the song live in Amsterdam and put it on their live album Nick Nacks And Paddy Whacks.
• In 2011, song was covered by queercore band Gay For Johnny Depp at their last album What Doesn't Kill You, Eventually Kills You.
• In 2012, Quiet Riot's cover version was used in the film Rock of Ages, playing over the start of the end credits.
• In 2014, Slade's version featured in the British supernatural horror film The Quiet Ones.
• In 2016, Quiet Riot's cover version was used as main theme in the tv series Ash vs Evil Dead, in Season 2, Episode 5
• In 2017, The Featherz covered the song on their debut album Five Year Itch. This was originally intended for the CD edition of their 2016 single Forget All You Know.

See also

• Illinois (album) – a 2005 album by Sufjan Stevens also entitled Sufjan Stevens Invites You To: Come On Feel the Illinoise!
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1970s

References

Slade
Dave Hill Don Powell John Berry Mal McNulty Noddy Holder Jim Lea Steve Whalley Steve Makin Craig Fenney Dave Glover
Studio albums	Beginnings (Ambrose Slade, 1969) Play It Loud (1970) Slayed? (1972) Old New Borrowed and Blue (1974) Slade In Flame (1974) Nobody's Fools (1976) Whatever Happened to Slade (1977) Return to Base (1979) We'll Bring the House Down (1981) Till Deaf Do Us Part (1981) The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome (1983) Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (1984) Rogues Gallery (1985) Crackers – The Christmas Party Album (1985) You Boyz Make Big Noize (1987)
Live albums	Slade Alive! (1972) Slade Alive, Vol. 2 (1978) Slade on Stage (1982)
Compilations	Coz I Luv You (1972) Sladest (1973) Slade Smashes! (1980) Slades Greats (1984) Wall of Hits (1991) Feel The Noize- Greatest Hits (1997) The Genesis of Slade (2000) The Very Best of Slade (2005) Slade Alive! - The Live Anthology (2006) The Slade Box (Anthology 1969-91) (2006) B-Sides (2007) Live at the BBC (2009) Merry Xmas Everybody: Party Hits (2009)
Singles	"You Better Run" (The N' Betweens) "Genesis" (Ambrose Slade) "Wild Winds are Blowing" "Shape of Things to Come" "Know Who You Are" "Get Down and Get With It" "'Coz I Luv You" "Look Wot You Dun" "Take Me Bak 'Ome" "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" "Gudbuy T' Jane" "Cum On Feel the Noize" "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" "My Friend Stan" "Merry Xmas Everybody" "Everyday" "The Bangin' Man" "Far Far Away" "How Does It Feel" "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" "In For a Penny" "Let's Call It Quits" "Nobody's Fool" "Gypsy Roadhog" "Burning in the Heat of Love" "My Baby Left Me - That's All Right" "Give Us a Goal" "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" "Ginny, Ginny" "I'm a Rocker" "Sign of the Times" "Okey Cokey" "Six of the Best (EP)" "Alive at Reading" "Xmas Ear Bender (EP)" "We'll Bring the House Down" "Wheels Ain't Coming Down" "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" "Lock Up Your Daughters" "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" "Ruby Red" "(And Now the Waltz) C'est La Vie" "My Oh My" "Run Runaway" "Slam the Hammer Down" "All Join Hands" "7 Year Bitch" "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" "Little Sheila" "Do You Believe in Miracles" "Still the Same" "That's What Friends Are For" "You Boyz Make Big Noize" "Ooh La La in L.A." "We Won't Give In" "Let's Dance '88" "Radio Wall of Sound" "Universe"
Video	"Slade in Flame" "Wall of Hits" "Inside Slade - The Singles 1971-1991" "The Very Best of Slade" "Slade Alive! - The Ultimate Critical Review"
Related articles	Discography List of songs recorded by Slade Therapy (James Whild Lea album)
Book:Slade