Old New Borrowed & Blue

February/March, 1974

It's worth pointing out that a week or so before the albums release, 'Slade Talk To 19 Readers' hit the news stands.  Therefore, much of the 'eyebrow' below was probably 'raised' on hearing the previews there.  On purchase, I think the album held just two unheard tracks.

Polydor Records 2383 - 261

At the time, I recall wondering what the silk white scarves were about but the unusual 'wallet style' album sleeve was way cool with its reversed letters, cool Gered Mankowitz portraits and, hey, the lyrics were all in there.  A shame it wasn't given a gloss coat to protect it from fingers, etc.

Just Want A Little Bit was absolutely awesome, those power chords and Don beating time in between.  Noddy's voice coming through like a battering ram, the soft breakdown demonstrating his skill and mastery as a serious vocalist.  I was oblivious to The Undertakers and, on first listen, couldn't give a damn about them either.  It would be a long time before I actually found out HOW radical the groups reworking was compared to the original but I certainly appreciated how good the intricacies of their arrangement were.  I'm not a musician and I'm sure many of you clever buggers out there 'could' tell me that it ain't so clever, etc. but I don't care....It Rocks!

When The Lights Are Out....where's Noddy, who's singing?

Quote:

"There's nothing like a good sing-ger and Jimmy's nothing like a good sing-ger."

A good song but the first surprise for me. Me Mam liked it on first listen, she was used to me playing noisy unsociable stuff but this was a new experience for her.

My Town was back to my proper Slade with everything as expected but hell, we already had this on a 7" B-side.

Find Yourself A Rainbow. My Dad was whistling away with that one. A genuine pub style piano, is that Jim.... No, this is Tommy 'A Triumph' Burton. Who? Of course, I think the fan club had already told us about this stuff and Kill 'em At THe Hot Club had prepared us mentally.

Miles Out To Sea was the second blow of 'When The Lights Are Out' hammer.
"Are you getting this?" Yes, Slade can do melodic songs with all round appeal. These are Pop/Rock songs with all the sugar sweet ingredients of an Archies song although Nod's vocals are still at full stretch.

We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof arrives at full blast with the ear-shredding vocal and I'm jumping on the furniture, air guitar in hand. I love the bass punctuation before moving into verse two. The piano is a lovely touch, echoing 50's R'n'R wihich fits with the Little Richard mention in the lyrics. I think this is a progression of what they were trying to do with The Whole Worlds Goin' Crazee and here, for me, it works. It's not one of the bands greatest moments but I do think it represents what they were about.

And then, all too soon, it's over! Oh God, I need more. Quick, flip that record over.....

BOOM! Now that's what I'm talking about.

Do We Still Do It was the stuff of legend, the chant backing vocals and the build on that wall of chord. The echo crack on the drumbeat when the song moves into the second half and the superb climactic finale. TT

How Can It Be

You know what, when you don't get it, you listen. The lyrics made me think and I learned to like it along the way, not that I ever disliked it.

Don't Blame Me was always a fav from the song on the jukebox that would piss everybody off to the great little guitar riff to the awesome finishing vocal note. Anybody that can't appreciate this performance, what the f*ck are you listening to Noddy Holder for?

The let down for me was the fact that I'd been playing the arse off of it since MXE was released. It was another prized B-side that had now been given an album slot? 

My Friend Stan sucks! OK, it's catchy and a great little singalong song but then that's what God gave us David Essex for. To add insult to injury, we've had this for months and it's inclusion on the album was unnecessary except, it does set the listener up perfectly for Everyday. The little piano roll, silence, and then Everyday drops. It works, the beautifully melodic refrain with it's guitar harmony last verse makes a lovely moment although, for me personally, it was never a favourite. Any chance it had of becoming a favourite was lost when they released it as a single.

The echo of the last note once again, sets the scene for Don's cowbell shuffle intro on Good Time Gals. Great power chords and Noddy's filthy vocal back on form. "I wanted to SUCK your candy" lovely... "I wanted to smell your barn." are you sure.... ahh, I think I get it?

Including Good Time Gals as the B-side of the Everyday 7", making 50% of the album available on singles, left me thoroughly disappointed but it wasn't the album. The album stood proud as a grand offering of Slade demonstrating their versatility and addressing many criticisms that had been aimed at them. In one fell swoop this album took a stroll through the the great variety of potential Slade had to offer. I'm listening to the vinyl as I write and it still sounds as good now as it did then. I can understand why Matt was disappointed but in the UK we already knew how Slade could come at you from all sides. This album showed how they could do it all at the same time and still make it work.

Pre-pubescent paradise, I loved it. Start to finish, all the oddities and surprises, even the below par and unnecessary My Friend Stan, right up to the fading last chord at the end of side two.

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue was also the first of three consecutive studio albums in a row to get its very own Music Book released!

UK, 2006 - CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Salvo - SALVOCDOO3

The 2006 Salvo Remastered CD Reissue included Bonus Tracks:-

In the USA, the album was released, titled "Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet", (Minus the two tracks "My Town" and "My Friend Stan".)

The two singles released from the USA release were Good Time Gals and When The Lights Are Out.

UK & Europe - 15th of October, 2021 - Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Splatter Vinyl, Gatefold

BMG - BMGCAT503LP, BMG - 4050538659320

 

UK & Europe - 27th of May, 2022 - CD, Album, Reissue 

BMG - BMGCAT503CD, BMG - 4050538797619

Finally, tribute band, The Pouk Hill Prophetz have written a song called "Old, New, Borrowed And Blue"! Check it out on YouTube on this following link! : - 

https://youtu.be/mk4RZxtGTW8

 

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Just Want A Little Bit
(Thornton - Bass - Washington - Brown - Thompson)

I don't want much, I just want alittle bit
I don't want it all, I just want a little bit
I want an eeny weeny bit, just a teeny weeny bit of your love

I want you forever, for just my peace of mind
Please say you'll never leave me, not 'til the end of time
I want an eeny weeny bit, just a teeny weeny bit of your love - ohhhh!

Turn your lights down low - mmm, come on and slip me a kiss
Turn your lights down low - ooh, I just a can't resist
I want a teeny weeny bit, just a teeny weeny bit of your love

I want you forever, mmm, for my little piece of mind
I want you forever, mmmm, 'til the end of time
I want a teeny weeny bit, a teeny weeny bit of your love

I don't want much...I just want a little bit...
I don't want it all...I just want a little bit...
Just a teeny weeny bit, just a teeny weeny bit of your love......

Uh...Uh...Ooh......I don't want it all...
I just want a little bit...Just a teeny weeny bit
I want a teeny weeny bit of your love, oh oh oh oh oh

I don't want much, I just want a little bit
Well, I don't want it all, I just want a little bit
I want a teeny weeny bit, just a teeny weeny bit of your love

I want you forever, for my little piece of mind
Please say you'll never leave me, not 'til the end of time
Want a teeny weeny bit, teeny weeny bit of your,
Teeny weeny bit, teeny weeny bit of your,
Teeny weeny bit, teeny weeny bit of your love

When The Lights Are Out
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

With the lights out, we'll be sitting pretty, scream a pitiful scream
With the lights out, we'll be warm and willing, better watch where I lean
When you gaze into a crystal ball, you'll see nothing's gonna change at all
You'll see nothing's gonna happen overnight, so please

When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky
When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky

Oh with a whisper you can bowl me over, blow a beautiful blow
With an answer, you can turn me under, wind up ready to go
When you gaze into a crystal ball, You'll see nothing's gonna change at all
You'll see nothing's gonna happen overnight, so please

When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky
When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky

When you gaze into a crystal ball, You'll see nothing's gonna change at all
You'll see nothing's gonna happen overnight, so please

When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky
When the lights are out, when I hear you sigh
Let me feel your warm breath on my neck, it makes me hit the sky

When the lights are out,
When the lights are out,
When the lights are out,
When the lights are out

Find Yourself A Rainbow
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

[ Max Bygraves' Introduction:

Looking back at the years,

When we cried all our tears,

Someone, somewhere is you.

And now it's time to change your mind,

This is what you do ... ]

Find yourself a rainbow, 

Find yourself in that pot of gold
When you're there you're there to stay, anyway

You'll find yourself start changing - all you need to do is take a hold
Things get better day by day

CHORUS
And then you'll know that this time is the right time and the place to be
Pick the flowers, there's no hours, just remember April showers

Climb upon that rainbow, 

Slide on down to that pot of gold
You keep smilin', come what may ... oo!

BREAK

CHORUS
And then you'll know that this time is the right time and the place to be
Pick the flowers, there's no jours, just remember April showers

Find yourself a rainbow, 

A song a day and you won't grow old
You can wish all your cares away

ADDITIONAL VERSES:

Open up your dreamland, 

It's so easy just to find the key
All your troubles turn to smiles, 

What to do is

Let go all your heartaches, 

It's as easy as being free.
You don't have to wait a while

Miles Out To Sea
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

From the corner of my eye, I was looking out and why
To see all the things we did, to see hope in where we hid
From the outside looking in, was a stranger with a grin
Seeing bombhead on a rope, he was swinging high and low, high and low

We were miles out to sea - did we float, you and me?
Maybe one day we'll go back for more
We were miles from the bay - did we float, I should say
Maybe next time we'll leave from the shore

From the corner of my eye, I was looking out and why
There were sounds you never heard and then dump was the new word
Look at last nite was that nite, a sharp lady got it right
We sang songs from Cabaret ( Hello stranger. And we danced and laughed ) and we laughed the night away, right away

We were miles out to sea - did we float, you and me?
Maybe one day we'll go back for more
We were miles out to sea - did we float, I should say
Maybe next time we'll leave from the shore

The mad monk was such a sight, red hair hanging in the light
And a temple to call home, is he living there alone?
From the ouside looking in, was a stranger with a grin
He saw all the things we did, we saw hope in where we hid, yes we did

We were miles from the bay - did we float, you and me?
Maybe one day we'll go back for more
We were miles from the bay - did we float, I should say
Maybe next time we'll leave from the shore

We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

Sit up, git up, the stage is getting lit up -
We're really gonna raise the roof
Slip up, trip up, I'm trying to do my zip up -
We're really gonna raise the roof
You might not have seen us, only pictures in the magazines
So set up, get up, we ain't gonna let up -
We're really gonna raise the roof

Mind out, find out, we even get the blind out -
We're really gonna raise the roof
I am sure aware of that your Papa thinks that we're a scream
So tell him, tell him, we're really gonna raise the roof

We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you
We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you

Blast out, crashed out, you know you're gonna last out -
We're really gonna raise the roof
Stare out, swear out, you're gonna tear your hair out -
We're really gonna raise the roof
Bam bama loo bama baby, the man in blue says can you keep it clean
Tell him, tell him - We're really gonna raise the roof

We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you
We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you

Just keep on rocking - give it all that you got
The way you're moving, we'll be in like a shot
We'll get it faster, are you ready to go,
 I said go, go, go, go, go, go
Bam bama loo bama baby, the man in blue says can you keep it clean?
Tell him, tell him - We're really gonna raise the roof

We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you
We get by, by, by, 'cos we try, try, try,
We ain't shy, shy, shy, we're like you

You keep a knockin' but I can't let you in
If you ain't hot yet, tell me where have you been
'Cos when we're done you'll be out on the foor
I said more, I said more, I said more - whoopee!

Do We Still Do It 
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

Ever since the world began, they said no, no, no you're wrong child
Ever since the start of man, they said no, no, no, you drive me wild

Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on . . .
Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on . . .

Ever since the world began it was so, so, so corruptible
Got to join our hands in one - we'll be oh so indestructible

Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on . . .
Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on . . .
Come on, come on, come on, come on

Ever since the world began they said no, no, no, you're young child
Got to take it when you can. No use crying if you wait a while

Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on . . .
Do we still do it? Night and day
Do we still do it? Come what may
Do we still do it? Hear me say, come on, come on, come on, come on

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on

How Can It Be
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

How can a woman eat up a man? - How can it be? How can it be?
How can a lady cheat, well she can? - How can it be? How can it be?

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be

How can a loser change to a winner? - How can it be? How can it be?
How can a daydream change to a has-been? - How can it be? How can it be?

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be

How can a tear drop dry up into laughter? - How can it be? How can it be?
How can a lover, a lover turn it on the other? - How can it be? How can it be?

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be

Well you know why and baby I could sit and cry and sigh
And we know the reason why, how it can be . . . .
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh