Slade Feel The Noize
  • Formation Of Slade
  • Slade U.K. Singles
  • Slade U.K. Albums
  • Slade Concert Photos
  • Slade Quiz
Picture

 Know who you are (U.K. Single)

Picture
7'' front cover U.K.
Picture
7'' rear cover U.K.
Picture
7'' A Side U.K.
Picture
7'' b Side U.K.

"Know Who You Are" was written by lead guitarist Dave Hill, lead singer Noddy Holder, bassist Jim Lea and drummer Don Powell, and produced by Chas Chandler. The single was released via Polydor Record Label on 18th September 1970. This single failed to appear on the U.K. chart, the band’s next single release "Get Down And Get With It" would prove to be their breakthrough hit within Europe, starting the band’s run of 17 U.K. top 20 hits from 1971 to 1976. "Know Who You Are" appeared on their 1970 album "Play It Loud".

Background
The single was issued on as the 2nd and final single from their "Play It Loud" album. Unlike the groups 1969 debut album "Beginnings", the band were now managed and produced by Chas Chandler, who encouraged the band to write more of their own material. The song was originally an instrumental track from the debut album "Beginnings", titled "Genesis". The original song featured an influence of a 1960s psychedelic theme however "Know Who You Are" proved to be more of a 1960s influenced rocker. In later years, drummer Don Powell stated the song was all about guitarist Dave Hill. "Know Who You Are" was produced by Chas Chandler and featured the rare writing credit to the entire band. The b - side "Dapple Rose" was also produced by Chas Chandler, appearing as an album track on their "Play It Loud" album, just over a month later. "Know Who You Are" was the band's 1st release via Polydor Record Label, after the band left Fontana Record Label. This was despite the fact that the previous single under Fontana Record Label, "Shape Of Things To Come", was added onto their "Play It Loud" album, under Polydor Record Label. The song was later recorded live and released on the band’s 1st live album in 1972 titled "Slade Alive!". The song was also later added as a rarity track to their 1973 U.K. number 1 hit compilation album "Sladest". Today, the "Know Who You Are" single has become a collectable rarity, as the single was deleted soon after it failed to chart.

Recording
"Know Who You Are" was released via Polydor Record Label on the 18th September 1970. A clear 2 months before their album "Play It Loud" got released. It was written by Slade and produced by Chas Chandler but the song is a re recorded version of their debut Fontana single "Genesis", which was recorded as Ambrose Slade. That version was an instrumental piece, self produced along with Roger Wake, using stormy wind like sound effects to conjure up a musical frenzy. On this version, lyrics replace the sound effects and Noddy Holders extremely nasally vocal does a very effective job. Also worth a mention are Dave Hills strange but effective vocal effects on the outro.

Release
"Know Who You Are" was originally released on 7" vinyl.
Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single upon release, "Chas Chandler, ex Animal bassist, states categorically that this group will make it. But then he's said that before about Jimi Hendrix. Lost momentarily in a skinhead scene, this group is basically most musicianly. This is a strange, staccato sort of production, lead voice stamping, as in bover boots, on the lyrics". For the French and Mexican versions of the "Get Down And Get With It" single, "Know Who You Are" was used as the b - side. The Mexican edition also added another album track from their album "Play It Loud" titled "I Remember".

Promotion
Due to the band’s previous commercial failure, there was no promotional video. The main form of promotion for the single was the band's live performances in the U.K.
Upon release of the single, the band appeared on the U.K. show Disco 2 to promote the release. They made 3 appearances during 1970 and a total of songs were performed. The 1st performance featured "Shape Of Things To Come", whilst in October the band returned to the show and performed the 2 tracks "Know Who You Are" and "Sweet Box", which was broadcast in colour. All 3 performances have never surfaced since broadcasting.

Chart Performance
"Know Who You" single failed to enter the U.K. top 100 singles chart.

Track listing - 7" U.K. Single
A1. Know Who You Are (Dave Hill, Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell) - 2:50
B1. Dapple Rose (Jim Lea, Don Powell) - 3:25

Know Who You Are

"Know Who You Are" written by Hill, Holder, Lea and Powell, was originally released via Polydor Record Label on 18th September 1970 and failed to appear on the U.K. chart. The single was unsuccessful, much like the band's releases of the time. The single was the band's debut single on Polydor Record Label after leaving Fontana Record Label. The song had originally appeared on the band's 1969 debut album "Beginnings" under the name "Genesis". "Genesis" was an instrumental track, whilst this version is a reworking, featuring vocal. The song was later recorded live for their 1972 album "Slade Alive!".
This single appeared on their album "Play It Loud".

Dapple Rose

"Dapple Rose" written by Lea and Powell, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Know Who You Are". This is a song that refers to a horses negligence. For a September 2009 interview for a Slade fan forum, Powell was asked what inspiration was behind the song. Powell replied "Regarding Dapple Rose, I’ve always had a fondness for horses and where I lived with my parents there were some fields over the back and there were always gypsies camping there. They used to have these horses and donkeys and they always looked dead to me. They were not looked after which was sad.

Credits
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jim Lea - bass guitar, backing vocals
Don Powell - drums
Chas Chandler - Producer

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Formation Of Slade
  • Slade U.K. Singles
  • Slade U.K. Albums
  • Slade Concert Photos
  • Slade Quiz