Ginny, Ginny

"Ginny, Ginny" is the first single of 1979 from rock band Slade which was the leading single from the album Return to Base.....^[1] It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was produced by Slade, with usual producer and managaer Chas Chandler allowing the band to produce themselves.

Much like the band's releases around this time, the single did not enter the UK charts. Despite this, the single was confirmed to have entered the official UK top 200.

The song became part of the band's UK live set around the time of release.

The b-side 'Dizzy Mama' was later used on the 1981 album We'll Bring the House Down, as well as becoming part of Slade's live set.

Background

The track was originally named "Jeanie" as well as "Ginny Come and Get It While You Can" before finally being titled Ginny, Ginny.^[2]

The single was issued on a yellow vinyl in hope of interesting extra music buyers. It was the first Slade single to be issued in a different colour to black on vinyl.^[3]

Barn Records only pressed a total 3,500 copies of the "Ginny Ginny" single, virtually guaranteeing its failure to enter the charts. Even the single that preceded it, "Sign O' the Times" failed to chart and most copies which were left were melted down, making both singles extremely rare today.

For the Slade exclusive Belgian hit single "I'm a Rocker", "Ginny, Ginny" was used as the b-side.

On 15 June, radio presenter Dave Lee Travis played the song on his show to coincide with wishing Holder and Lea a happy birthday.^[4]

In the Slade News magazine for July–August 1979, drummer Don Powell was asked for his opinion on the song. "It didn't sell enough to get into the charts, but we were pleased with it."^[5]

In the March–April magazine, bassist/co-writer Jim Lea was asked if he believed the song would give Slade a comeback. "It's very catchy, and we're going to make it, yeah. Our writing is returning to a more concise format. I mean songs like "Be" are hardly concise, they're clever, but hardly the sing-along down at the pub type song."^[6]

In the September–December 1986 Slade fan club magazine, the poll results were announced for the 1986 opinion poll based on Slade’s material. For the best b-side of the 70s, Dizzy Mama placed at #2.

Promotion

Like much of Slade's singles of the time, there was no promotional video or any TV performances for the song. The main form of promotion was the band's live touring across the United Kingdom as the song had become part of the band's UK live set around the time of release.

Formats

7" Single

"Ginny Ginny" - 3:50
"Dizzy Mama" - 3:57

Critical reception

At the time of release, Record Mirror wrote "The climb back isn't going to be easy for Slade, but this might be a foothold on the bottom of the charts for them. Not the big one though, even if Nod has got a great voice."^[7]

NME wrote "Another stab at stardom from the once superb Slade. A lot better than previous comeback attempts but still not quite strong enough to compete with other chart contenders I fear. Hope I'm wrong 'cos I used to love them. Is it all over now? The single is pressed on yuk yellow vinyl. Suppose it may help sell a few more copies."^[7]

In the July–August 1979 Slade fan club magazine, one fan had their feelings of the single published. "Slade have done it again! Although "Ginny, Ginny" is a fantastic record I feel that the b-side "Dizzy Mama" would have been a better choice as being the a-side. It's got more "feel" to it, and also it's far more catchy - I'm sure the radio stations would have played it."^[2]^[8]

Chart performance

Although the single failed to reach the UK top 100 singles, the song was confirmed by Barn Records managing director to have entered the top 200.^[2]^[9]

Cover versions

In 1992, The Dummies released their own version of the song. Slade's bassist Jim Lea was the vocalist of this group, joined by his brother Frank and wife Louise Lea. The album that the cover appeared on consisted of mainly Slade songs.^[10] This song was originally recorded around the early 80s as a demo.

Personnel

Noddy Holder: Lead vocals and guitar
Jim Lea: Bass guitar and piano
Dave Hill: Lead guitar
Don Powell: Drums

Additional Personnel

Producer on "Ginny, Ginny" - Slade
Writers of "Ginny, Ginny" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Producer on "Dizzy Mama" - Slade
Writers of "Dizzy Mama" - Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Andy Miller - engineer
Dave Garland - engineer (assistant)
Mark O'Donoughue - engineer (assistant)
George Peckham - engineer (cutting)

References

↑ "Slade - Return To Base at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
1 2 3 Slade News - Issue 4 - July–August 1979
↑ "Slade - Ginny Ginny / Dizzy Mama - Barn - UK - BARN 002". 45cat. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
↑ http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/2250004_orig.jpg
↑ http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/8964136_orig.jpg
↑ Slade News - Issue 2 - March–April 1979
1 2 http://www.sladescrapbook.com/userimages/slade1979v7.JPG
↑ http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/6909344_orig.jpg
↑ http://sladefanclub.weebly.com/uploads/7/6/6/0/7660950/35884_orig.jpg
↑ "The Dummies A Day In The Life Of The Dummies UK LP RECORD (213179)". Eil.com. 2002-04-23. Retrieved 2011-08-10.

Slade

Dave Hill Don Powell John Berry Mal McNulty Noddy Holder Jim Lea Steve Whalley Steve Makin Craig Fenney Dave Glover

Studio albums	Beginnings (Ambrose Slade, 1969) Play It Loud (1970) Slayed? (1972) Old New Borrowed and Blue (1974) Slade In Flame (1974) Nobody's Fools (1976) Whatever Happened to Slade? (1977) Return to Base (1979) We'll Bring the House Down (1981) Till Deaf Do Us Part (1981) The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome (1983) Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (1984) Rogues Gallery (1985) Crackers – The Christmas Party Album (1985) You Boyz Make Big Noize (1987)

Live albums	Slade Alive! (1972) Slade Alive, Vol. 2 (1978) Slade on Stage (1982)

Compilations	Coz I Luv You (1972) Sladest (1973) Slade Smashes! (1980) Slades Greats (1984) Wall of Hits (1991) Feel The Noize- Greatest Hits (1997) The Genesis of Slade (2000) The Very Best of Slade (2005) Slade Alive! - The Live Anthology (2006) The Slade Box (Anthology 1969-91) (2006) B-Sides (2007) Live at the BBC (2009) Merry Xmas Everybody: Party Hits (2009)

Singles	"You Better Run" (The N' Betweens) "Genesis" (Ambrose Slade) "Wild Winds are Blowing" "Shape of Things to Come" "Know Who You Are" "Get Down and Get With It" "'Coz I Luv You" "Look Wot You Dun" "Take Me Bak 'Ome" "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" "Gudbuy T' Jane" "Cum On Feel the Noize" "Skweeze Me, Pleeze Me" "My Friend Stan" "Merry Xmas Everybody" "Everyday" "The Bangin' Man" "Far Far Away" "How Does It Feel" "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)" "In For a Penny" "Let's Call It Quits" "Nobody's Fool" "Gypsy Roadhog" "Burning in the Heat of Love" "My Baby Left Me - That's All Right" "Give Us a Goal" "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" "Ginny, Ginny" "I'm a Rocker" "Sign of the Times" "Okey Cokey" "Six of the Best (EP)" "Live at Reading (EP)" "Xmas Ear Bender (EP)" "We'll Bring the House Down" "Wheels Ain't Coming Down" "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" "Lock Up Your Daughters" "Rock and Roll Preacher" "Ruby Red" "(And Now the Waltz) C'est La Vie" "My Oh My" "Run Runaway" "Slam the Hammer Down" "All Join Hands" "7 Year Bitch" "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" "Little Sheila" "Do You Believe in Miracles" "Still the Same" "That's What Friends Are For" "You Boyz Make Big Noize" "Ooh La La in L.A." "We Won't Give In" "Let's Dance '88" "Radio Wall of Sound" "Universe"

Video	"Slade in Flame" "Wall of Hits" "Inside Slade - The Singles 1971-1991" "The Very Best of Slade" "Slade Alive! - The Ultimate Critical Review"

Related articles	Discography List of songs by Slade Therapy (James Whild Lea album)

Book:Slade

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