"Ruby Red" was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and was produced by the band themselves. The single was released via RCA Record Label on 12th March 1982.
This single reached number 51 on the U.K. chart, spending 3 weeks on the charts.
"Ruby Red" is a U.K. only single which appeared on their 1981 album "Till Deaf Do Us Part".
Background
In a 1981 interview with singer Noddy Holder for the Slade fan club Noddy Holder stated "it's a number that we've had around for a long time. Me and Jim Lea wrote it maybe 2 or 3 years ago. We tried to record it before but we never managed to get it down how we actually wanted it. Recently, when we were looking through the songs that we'd got for the album, we remembered that we'd never been able to get "Ruby Red" down on tape properly, but that it was a good, strong, commercial sound. So we added some new riffs to it and got it down and it's a good commercial song".
Recording
"Ruby Red" was released via RCA Record Label on 12th March 1982.
The double 7" vinyl gatefold has 2 extra live tracks "Rock And Roll Preacher" and "Take Me Bak 'ome" recorded in Newcaste City Hall, December 18th, 1981. Both are the same recordings that appear on their "Slade On Stage" album.<br><br>
Release
"Ruby Red" was originally released on 7" vinyl and also a double 7" vinyl gatefold with 2 live tracks as an extra.
This gatefold was released in hope to attract more sales. Today, the original single 7" vinyl is slightly higher in value than the gatefold release.
"Ruby Red" was produced by Slade, as was the b - side "Funk Punk & Junk". The b - side was originally exclusive to the single, eventually being released on CD via the 2007 Salvo compilation "B - Sides" and the remaster of their album "Till Deaf Do Us Part". For the double 7" vinyl gatefold release, a 'special bonus single' featured 2 live tracks which were later released on the band's 3rd and final live album "Slade On Stage", released in late 1982. The 1st live track is the album opener of "Till Deaf Do Us Part" and upcoming German only single "Rock And Roll Preacher" whilst the 2nd live track is the band's 1972 U.K. number 1 hit single "Take Me Bak 'ome".
Promotion
A promotional video was created for the single however it was never shown. Due to the disappointing charting of the single, the video has never been officially released to purchase, only appearing online via Youtube. The band did not perform this song on U.K. TV, and so the main form of promotion for the song was the band's live touring where Noddy Holder would often announce that if the audience buy the single quickly they will receive the bonus live vinyl.<br><br>
Chart Performance
"Ruby Red" reached number 51 on the U.K. chart.
Track listing - 7" U.K. Single
A1. Ruby Red (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:53
B1. Funk Punk & Junk (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea) - 2:57
Ruby Red
"Ruby Red" written by Holder and Lea, this was originally released as a single by Slade via RCA Record Label on 12th March 1982 and reached number 51 on the U.K. chart.
This a track which Slade had written in the late 70s, according to Holder. Chris Ingham stated ""Ruby Red" salutes a fun loving girl who likes her food. Despite being a neatly constructed melodic rocker, it didn't quite make the top U.K. 50 as a single."
Funk Punk & Junk
"Funk Punk & Junk" written by Holder and Lea, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Ruby Red".
The song was a left over track from the recording sessions for their 1981 "Till Deaf Do Us Part" album.
In a fan club interview with Holder by fan club editor Dave Kemp, which was published in the Slade Supporters Club's November - December 1981 newsletter, Holder spoke of the song and announced it as the b - side to the upcoming "Ruby Red" single. He stated "The b - side of the next single that we bring out will be a new song and won’t be pulled from the album. The track’s going to be "Funk, Punk and Junk". It’s a track that we left off the album because it’s just not the same style of material as the album tracks."
Credits
Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
Noddy Holder - lead vocals, guitar
Jim Lea - bass guitar, organ, backing vocals
Don Powell - drums
Slade - producers