12'' Front Cover U.K.

12'' Rear Cover U.K.

12'' A Side U.K.

12'' B Side U.K.

"Old New Borrowed And Blue" was Slades 3rd studio U.K. album, it was released and produced by Chas Chandler via Polydor record label on 15th February 1974.
This album reached number 1 on the U.K. chart (Being Slades 3rd number 1 album), This album was certified gold by BPI the same month of release.
The album was released in the U.S.A. on the Warner Bros. label, under the title 'Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet', minus the tracks "My Town" and "My Friend Stan" (as they had been previously released in the U.S.A. on "Sladest"), the latter reaching number 1 in Ireland in October 1973.
The single, "Everyday" was their 1st not to have the standard 'Slade' sound on it, which is probably why it failed to get higher than number 3 on the U.K. Singles Chart. The previous single to this was "Merry Xmas Everybody", which was to be their final number 1 hit single, although 1983's "My Oh My" would later reach the number 2 spot.
The album was certified gold by BPI in February 1974.
Originally, the album was planned to be released in the 1st week of February.
According to the Fan Club newsletter for January and February 1974, the album was rewarded a Gold Disc for pre order sales, even before the album's release.
Also, according to the same newsletter, 2 or 3 songs non typical Slade songs were written a couple of years before the album's release. These songs were not released sooner as they didn't fit with the Slade sound of the time.
After the recording of the album, for the fan club, Don Powell wrote "We've just finished recording our next album. It's got a lot of new things on it. Nothing very different or out of character, we've spent more time on arrangements and little ideas and effects."

Background
The album was conceived and recorded amid various touring and promotional activities in late 1973, and also during the headline making convalescence of Don Powell. The drummer was involved in a car crash in July, briefly throwing the bands existence into doubt. But with bassist Jim Lea's brother Frank standing in, Slade were able to fulfil a festival obligation on the Isle of Man a few days after the accident.
Despite Don Powell's critical condition, he was able to make a quick recovery but even as Slade entered the studio to record the single "My Friend Stan", Don Powell was still walking with the aid of a stick, even having to be lifted onto his drum stool. In addition, his memory would never be the same again and his senses of smell and taste were all but numbered.
The band had already performed in America, as well as Australia and Japan. Arriving in Sydney, the band were thrilled and astonished to learn they had 3 singles in the top 3 and were also occupying both top 2 spots in the album chart. By mid - August Don Powell had recovered sufficiently to rejoin his ban mates for another American tour. However, their entourage flew home in disappointment after new U.S.A. record label Warner Bros. witnessed a below par showcase gig in Los Angeles that the band claim was sabotaged by headliners the J Geils Band.
With the huge success of "Merry Xmas Everybody", "Old New Borrowed And Blue" continued the formula that had served Slade so well to date but also there were surprises with the slight change in musical direction.

Recording
"Old New Borrowed And Blue" was released via Polydor record label on 15th February 1974.
It took Slade 2 years and 1 hits and rarities compilation "Sladest" to get around to following up 1972's U.K. chart topping "Slayed", 2 years during which the entire complexion of the band had altered dramatically. No longer the rampant yobs out on the stomp of yore, the 4 members placed the rabble rousing bombast of old far behind them during 1974, and switched their song writing efforts to more mellow pastures, the gentle "Everyday", the yearning "Far Far Away", and the decidedly pretty "Miles Out To Sea". "Old New Borrowed And Blue" was the album that introduced the chrysalis to its audience, not that you'd know it from the opening bellow. Riding a raw guitar line based, very loosely, around the guttural riffing of the Beatles' 'Birthday', 'Just A Little Bit' cranks in with almost metallic dynamics, even retaining the in concert ad libbing that had long since made it a highlight of the live show. "We're Gonna Raise The Roof", "When The Lights Are Out", and "My Town", too offer little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the band members were thinking as well. The glitter soaked thunderclap was old news now, they could write those rockers in their sleep. The vaudeville piano led "Find Yourself A Rainbow", though, was new territory altogether, while the country rock inflected "How Can It Be" posited a direction that Holder himself admitted had long been a regular on his home turntable. It was "Everyday", however, that held the secret of the band's future, a crowd swaying sing along of such scarf waving majesty that it might well be single handedly responsible for every great record U2 has ever made. It was certainly Slade's most memorable new single in a while and, as the cue for further airborne anthems, it became one of the most crucial songs in the group's entire repertoire.

Release
"Old New Borrowed And Blue" was originally released on 12" vinyl and cassette and 8 track cartridge.
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine released an article based on the album's demand. "Orders for Slade's new album "Old New Borrowed And Blue" are becoming out of this world. Advanced sales just before releases were 170,000 which means 1,190,000 single record units. All the album songs are written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea save for "Just a Little Bit" and you had the Record Mirror magazine verdict last week on the tracks - hit all the way!"
In a Record Mirror review, a Slade spokesman stated "the album had sold twice as many cartridges and cassettes than their previous offerings: "perhaps because Slade fans are getting older and probably use tapes in their cars."

Promotion
The main form of promotion for the album was Slade's live performances via touring.
The band also appeared on national TV of the U.K. and various European countries to promote the album's singles.

Chart Performance
The album reached number 1 on the U.K. chart.

Track listing - 12" LP U.K.
A1. Just Want A Little Bit (Ralph Bass, Piney Brown, Sylvester Thompson, John Thornton, Fats Washington) - 3:58
A2. When The Lights Are Out (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:05
A3. My Town (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:05
A4. Find Yourself A Rainbow (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:09
A5. Miles Out To Sea (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:48
A6. We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:06
B1. Do We Still Do It (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:59
B2. How Can It Be (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:00
B3. Don't Blame Me (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:32
B4. My Friend Stan (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:40
B5. Everyday (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:09
B6. Good Time Gals (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 3:30

Just Want A Little Bit
"Just Want A Little Bit" written by Ralph Bass, Piney Brown, Sylvester Thompson, John Thornton, Fats Washington, is the opener from the album. The song was previously performed by The Animals, where the bassist was Slade's manager - producer Chas Chandler. The song became part of Slade's live set around the time. First released by Tiny Topsy as "Just A Little Bit" (1959)
Chris Ingham of Rock Back pages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote "Just a Little Bit cranks in with almost metallic dynamics, even retaining the in concert ad libbing that had long since made it a highlight of the live show."

When The Lights Are Out
"When The Lights Are Out" written by Holder and Lea, is a mid tempo pop rock ballad, showing the band's sound evolving. This track was the 1st to feature Lea on lead vocals instead of Holder who would join in at the chorus. Lea wouldn't perform lead vocals on another Slade track until the 1987 b - side "Don't Talk To Me About Love", and their number 21 hit "Radio Wall Of Sound" in 1991
In an interview for the "19" readers, Holder commented "There's nothing like a good singer and Jimmy's nothing like a good singer." In an interview with Ken Sharpe, Lea stated that Holder approached him about Lea singing the lead vocals instead of Holder.
The song was performed live with Lea on lead vocals in New Orleans, 15th June 1974 whilst Slade were touring in America.
The song was later covered by American musician Bob Segarini in 1978 for the album "Gotta Have Pop" whilst popular American rock group Cheap Trick released their own version on the 2009 album 'The Latest' In 1980, Lea released his own version of the song with his brother Frank Lea under the name The Dummies. In 1994, American band Three Hour Tour released their own version of the song.

My Town
"My Town" written by Holder and Lea, is an up tempo rock track, this was the b - side to Slades original single "My Friend Stan".
Chris Ingham of Rock Back pages described the track as "raucous". Allmusic wrote ""My Town" offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the band members were thinking as well."
Imgham also wrote "One of the standout tracks on "Old New Borrowed and Blue", "My Town" is the sort of punchy, confident rocker which Slade were turning out as a matter of course by now. From Powell's flam on the snare to bring the band in to the chromatic coda on guitars, this lean track represents Slade at their economic, no nonsense peak."

Find Yourself A Rainbow
"Find Yourself A Rainbow" written by Holder and Lea, is a novelty themed song with honky tonk piano as the main instrument.
The track featured Slade's local landlord (at the Lord Raglan in Wolverhampton) Tommy Burton on piano. In a 1974 Slade fan club magazine, Powell stated "Incidentally a pub piano is played on 1 track by a local landlord, Tommy Burton. He now owes us free booze for the rest of the year."
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track "The honky tonk piano led "Find Yourself A Rainbow" was another pivotal melodic moment.". Allmusic wrote "The vaudeville piano led "Find Yourself A Rainbow," was new territory altogether."
In the lyric sheet for the album, an extra verse was printed although this extra section was not in the actual song's recording.
The song was sadly later covered by Max Bygraves.

Miles Out To Sea
"Miles Out To Sea" written by Holder and Lea, is a mid tempo rock ballad.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "understated". Allmusic described the track as "decidedly pretty"
The song was covered by German band Not Fragile whilst Jim Lea recorded his own version of the song as a b - side to the 1980 single 'Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?', with his brother Frank Lea and wife Louise Lea, under the name The Dummies.
The Dummies version of the song was also performed on U.K. TV along with 'Didn't You Use To Use To Be You?' to promote the single.

We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof
"We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" written by Holder and Lea, is an up tempo rock track.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages described the track as "raucous" and "The fabulously titled "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" were offset by the understated feel of 'Miles Out To Sea'". Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" and "Do We Still Do It", Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."
Allmusic also wrote ""We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" offers little that Slade wasn't already well renowned for and that, perhaps, was what the band members were thinking as well."
The song was later covered by Muska.

Do We Still Do It
"Do We Still Do It" written by Holder and Lea, is 1 of the more rock based tracks on the album with a large anthemic feel, similar to the band's previous singles "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Mama Weer All Crazee Now".
Allmusic wrote "With tunes such as "Do We Still Do It", Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out."

How Can It Be
"How Can It Be" written by Holder and Lea, is a country flavoured rock track.
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "How Can It Be saw the band venturing close to country rock territory, an area that interested Holder in particular." Allmusic wrote "The country rock inflected "How Can It Be" posited a direction that Holder himself admitted had long been a regular on his home turntable."
The song was later covered by Canned Rock and Antonia Rojas (not the Paraguayan footballer).

Don't Blame Me
"Don't Blame Me" written by Holder and Lea, is an up tempo rock track, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Merry Xmas Everybody".
Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "It's somehow fitting that the b - side of Slade's most famous and best selling song should be this raucous rocker which once more rejoices in Slade's success, albeit in a more extrovert way than Slade's b - side to "Cum On Feel The Noize", "I'm Mee I'm Now And That's Orl". Though once more a serviceable Slade rocker which also appeared on "Old New Borrowed And Blue", "Don't Blame Me" is notorious for having the most extreme vocal that Holder ever recorded. Gravelly at the best of times, with plenty of automatic double tracking and mixed by Chas Chandler as boldly upfront as it ever was, Holder's voice sounds less like a tool of singing and more like a weapon of mass destruction."
For the fan club newsletter in 1979, Lea spoke of the b - side "Don't Blame Me", ""Don't Blame Me" was a time filler, I think that it was created as that. When it was used as a b - side, we didn't even know it was being used, it was chosen by the offices. We were in America recording the Christmas single, there was a rush to choose what to put on the back of it, and that track happened to be used."

My Friend Stan
"My Friend Stan" written by Holder and Lea, this was originally released as a single by Slade via Polydor record label on 28th September 1973 and reached number 2 on the U.K. chart.
The song itself has a novelty feel with piano as the leading instrument. At the time, Lea was persuaded to complete this song by manager Chas Chandler who'd heard him playing the melody on the piano at his home. During recording, drummer Powell was walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted on to his drum kit due to his near fatal car accident of the time.

Everyday
"Everyday" written by Holder and Lea, this was originally released as a single by Slade via Polydor record label on 29th March 1973 and reached number 3 on the U.K. chart.
This is a piano based ballad which was released as the 2nd and final single of this album.
Upon its release, the band knew they were taking a risk but "Everyday" had become a firm favourite on stage when the crowd would sing along, which they never expected.
The song was born out of an evening at Lea's house when his friends asked how he wrote songs. Lea's wife promptly sang the opening of the verse which Lea later completed. This was a recording that guitarist Hill didn't actually play on, as he was away on honeymoon and so he missed the recording sessions. Lea did all the guitar parts.

Good Time Gals
"Good Time Gals" written by Holder and Lea, is the album's closing track, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Everyday".
The song was the only track on the album to feature misspelling at all.
The song was included on the German compilations "Far Far Away" and 'The Story Of Slade Vol. 1'.
In America, the song was released as a single with "We're Really Gonna Raise The Roof" as the b - side. This single was released via Warner Bros. Records.

Credits
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jim Lea - bass guitar, piano, backing vocals, lead vocals on When the Lights are Out
Don Powell - drums
Tommy Burton - piano on Find Yourself a Rainbow
Chas Chandler - producer
Alan O'Duffy - engineer
George Chkiantz - engineer
Dave Ferrante - mixing
Gered Mankowitz - photography
Ian Murray - art direction
Wade Wood Associates - design