Gudbuy T'Jane

Album: Slayed? (1972)
Charted: 2 68
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Songfacts®:

  • "Gudbuy T'Jane" was Slade's follow up to their hit single "Mama Weer All Crazee Now." In his autobiography Who's Crazee Now?, guitarist and lead vocalist Noddy Holder explained the inspiration for the song.

    Jane was the co-host of a TV chat show in San Francisco whom Slade met on their US tour. They wrote the song in about half an hour, "one of the easiest songs we ever recorded." The line, "Got a kick from her '40s trip boots" is a reference to her kicking Holder up the backside when the band were having a laugh at her expense. Jane had bought a pair of platform shoes which she called her "'40s trip boots," and somehow managed to lose them. "She thought they were original '40s shoes and she told us that she had paid a fortune for them," he said. "She was a real loony, a typical San Francisco hippy."
  • Jim Lee came up with the title; Holder wanted to call it "Hullo T'Jane," which doesn't have the same ring to it. They recorded it in two takes, and, backed by the typically misspelt "I Won't Let It 'Appen Agen," it was released on Polydor and went on to become a monster hit. The single was produced by Chas Chandler.

    There was a second track on the A-side: "Take Me Bak 'Ome." The sheet music credits "Gudbuy T'Jane": "Words and Music by Neville Holder and James Lea." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • This was kept off the UK #1 spot by Chuck Berry's live recording of "My Ding-a-Ling." Coincidentally, Slade was present at the Coventry gig where Berry's hit was recorded.
  • Jim Lea recalled the story of the song to Classic Rock magazine: "I'd been round to Nod's house and played 'Gudbuy T'Jane' to him, lyrics and all. He said, 'S'alright.' He was always very phlegmatic, had dodgy adenoids."

    "We had some time left at the end of recording, so we put it down very quickly. Nod said he'd done something with the words on the train down. He started singing, 'Hello to Jane, hello to Jane.' I was mortified. He told me thought that was a bit more optimistic – f--king hell. But with all of them, I knew when we were writing a hit."

Comments: 4

  • Sehrashark from AnonJim Lea recalled the story of the song to Classic Rock magazine: "I'd been round to Nod's house and played 'Gudbuy T'Jane' to him, lyrics and all. He said, 'S'alright.' He was always very phlegmatic, had dodgy adenoids."

    "We had some time left at the end of recording, so we put it down very quickly. Nod said he'd done something with the words on the train down. He started singing, 'Hello to Jane, hello to Jane.' I was mortified. He told me thought that was a bit more optimistic – f--king hell. But with all of them, I knew when we were writing a hit."
  • Percy from Melbourne, AustraliaNoddy Holder is, in fact, the rhythm guitarist of the band, although he did do bass duty on a couple of songs like " Coz I luv you " for instance.
    Jimmy Lea played bass all the time except when we was required to play the violin or keyboards.
  • Jonathan from Newark, Nywow Iwas 22 and fresh out the army when this came out. Those were the days!
  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThis recording is characterised by its unusual production. Noddy's vocals are very closely mic'd and his bass is quite prominent. The use of maracas echoes that in Jumpin' Jack Flash and adding Don Powell's loud drum intro makes it a real surprise that this belter didn't hit #1 in the UK!
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