7'' front cover U.K.

7'' rear cover U.K.

7'' A Side U.K.

7'' b Side U.K.

"Wild Winds Are Blowing" was written by Bob Saker and Jack Winsley. Slade originally released their version produced by Chas Chandler via Fontana Record Label on 24th October 1969. This single failed to appear on the U.K. chart. At the time, manager / producer Chas Chandler demanded the group write their own material for their "Play It Loud" album but he believed the band should have a hit single before releasing the album. Chas Chandler was soon sent a song from a publishing company, for the group to record. "Wild Winds Are Blowing" was issued as a non album single.

Background
At the time, manager / producer Chas Chandler demanded the group write their own material for their "Play It Loud" album but he believed the band should have a hit single before releasing the album. Chas Chandler was soon sent a song from a publishing company, for the group to record. "Wild Winds Are Blowing" was written by Bob Saker and Jack Winsley who wrote songs together numerous times following this period, particularly notably for the Bee Gees. The single was issued as a non album single following the commercial failure of the band’s debut album "Beginnings". Originally under the name 'Ambrose Slade', the band changed their name by the release of this single to 'The Slade'. Years later, in a fan club interview, drummer Don Powell was asked if he thought any Slade tracks were embarrassing to which Don Powell responded that he didn’t except "Wild Winds Are Blowing". "Wild Winds Are Blowing" was produced by Chas Chandler as was the b - side "One Way Hotel". The song was later added as a rarity track to their 1973 U.K. number 1 compilation "Sladest". Today, the original single has become a collectable rarity, as the single was deleted soon after it failed to chart.

Recording
"Wild Winds Are Blowing" was released via Fontana Record Label on 24th October 1969. And appears to be the same recording as included on the album "Sladest" except in mono. "One Way Hotel" is an earlier version of the Polydor Record Label recording that would feature on their album "Play It Loud" a year later. Supposedly, a tale of 1 mans descent into madness, its legato vocal, 'picked guitar' refrain and contrasting reinforcement conjure up a sorrowful tale of homelessness. This particular version is notable for some jazzier guitar riffs.

Release
"Wild Winds Are Blowing" was originally released on 7" vinyl in mono.
Disc Magazine reviewed the single upon release, "If they are supposed to be more than just a group cashing in on a fad then one expects a whole new revolutionary sound on record just as 'The Who' presented us with in the days when they presented The Mods. "Wild Winds Are Blowing" has a faintly aggressive vocal with a ‘heavy’ backing. Nothing particularly stunning no real ‘argo’ voice and nothing to wake you from the Sunday afternoon boredom or get you leaping off to football in your hobnail boots! Or in fact anything to make a definite dent in current music."

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. The band did appear on BBC One's Children show 'Monster Music Mash show' which was hosted by Alan Price. This was the band’s 1st appearance on national TV, where they performed "Wild Winds Are Blowing" and an album track from the band’s debut "Martha My Dear", originally by The Beatles. NME magazine presented a full advert on the week of release, with the band’s name shortened to Slade on the advert.

Chart Performance
"Wild Winds Are Blowing" single failed to enter the U.K. top 100 singles chart.

Track listing - 7" U.K. Single
A1. Wild Winds Are Blowing (Bob Saker, Jack Winsley) - 2:43
B1. One Way Hotel (Noddy Holder, Jim Lea, Don Powell) - 2:37

Wild Winds Are Blowing
"Wild Winds Are Blowing" was written by Jack Winsley and Bob Saker, Slade originally released their version via Fontana Record Label on 24th October 1969 failed to appear on the U.K. chart. This was their 1st single to be released under the name 'The Slade'. At the time, manager - producer Chandler demanded the group write their own material for their "Play It Loud" album but he believed the band should have a hit single before releasing the album. Chandler was soon sent a song from a publishing company, for the group to record.
This single was issued as a non album single.

One Way Hotel
"One Way Hotel" written by Holder, Lea and Powell, this was the b - side to Slades original single "Wild Winds Are Blowing". It is a tale of 1 mans descent into madness, eventually being released on CD via the 2007 Salvo compilation "B - Sides" (containing most of Slades b - sides). This b - side appeared as a track on their "Play It Loud" album and featured on their 1973 U.K. number 1 compilation "Sladest".

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