Gypsy Roadhog

UK, 21st January, 1977
Barn Records - 2014 105

All the big names had their own record labels in the seventies, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Marc Bolan, Rod Stewart, Elton John, The Beach Boys.....
Now it was time for Slade's debut release on Chas Chandler's own "Barn" label and high hopes were pinned on this, as their last single on Polydor, Nobody's Fool had failed to chart in 1976.

UK / German / European Picture Cover of "Gypsy Roadhog".


This record was the only single to be taken from the band's forthcoming seventh Studio Album, "Whatever Happened To Slade".  It reached Number 48 in the UK Singles Charts, registering it as a "hit" single, which was an improvement on their previous single, Nobody's Fool.



But, they were to court controversy once again over the lyrics "....I powdered my nose in....." ,which resulted in a partial ban on BBC's Blue Peter, with only part of the promotional video being broadcasted!



UK, January, 1977 - Promo. Only 7", Vinyl, Single.
Barn - DJ 2014 105.
 Promo. Only Mono Version, which can be identified by a tiny "DJ" prefix.

Belgian Picture Cover of "Gypsy Roadhog".





My thanks to Chris 'The Historian' Selby for his relentless research. It is said, in certain circles, that Walsall Archives have a seat reserved specifically for him and that Wolverhampton archives consult him when searching the Express & Star


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Gypsy Roadhog
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)

I powdered my nose in Alabama - Out on a limb
Powdered my nose in Indiana - Ain't that a sin
I had to get my butt out quick
It always works - the old, old trick
I got away just in the nick of time, that's why

I powdered my nose in Oklahoma - Over the top
I wasted away in New Orleans - I couldn't stop
Down in the alley - happy dust
Me and Romona, we was gettin' bust
I got away just in the nick of time, that's why

[CHORUS]
I got the nickname the Gypsy Roadhog
On the California trail
I gotta keep my wheels movin' on
I gotta keep me outta jail

Powdered my nose in San Francisco down on the bay
It went to my head down in New York City
I was blasted away
And two ugly scuts bust in my room
They took away my little silver spoon
I got away just in the nick of time, that's why

[CHORUS]
I got the nickname the Gypsy Roadhog
On the California trail
I gotta keep my wheels movin' on
I gotta keep me outta jail

I'm comin' through, through, through
I'm looking for you


Forest Full Of Needles
(Noddy Holder & Jimmy Lea)


There's a main line to destruction, only two miles to Hell's gate
There's a hypnotic reaction to the destiny of fate
There's a rise and fall of angels, only idols on parade
There's a ring of gladiators, who all think they've got it made

On into the forest full of needles, stretching as far as can be seen
Looking at nothing, nowhere, no-one, a forest that points that once was green

There's a straight road going forward - There's a winding road behind
Which to take is your decision - neither one is clearly signed
There are questions still unanswered and people to meet and places to go
There are causes still worth fighting for - which is right, well who's to know?

On into the forest full of needles, stretching as far as can be seen
Looking at nothing, nowhere, no-one - A forest that points that once was green

There's a side road to salvation, said to lead to Heaven's door
There'll be mighty falls of empires, battles lost and won at war

On into the forest full of needles, stretching as far as can be seen
Looking at nothing, nowhere, no-one - a forest that points that once was green

On into the forest full of needles, stretching as far as can be seen
Looking at nothing, nowhere, no-one - A forest that points that once was green







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