Ginny, Ginny

"Ginny, Ginny"
Single by Slade
from the album Return to Base....
B-side Dizzy Mama
Released 18 May 1979
Format 7" Single
Genre Rock
Length 3:39
Label Barn Records
Writer(s) Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Producer(s) Slade
Slade singles chronology
"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero"
(1978)		 "Ginny, Ginny"
(1979)		 "I'm a Rocker"
(1979)
Audio sample
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"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
  1. "Ginny Ginny" - 3:50
  2. "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

Personnel

Additional Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Slade - Return To Base at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  2. 1 2 3 Slade News - Issue 4 - July–August 1979
  3. ↑ "Slade - Ginny Ginny / Dizzy Mama - Barn - UK - BARN 002". 45cat. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Slade News - Issue 2 - March–April 1979
  7. 1 2
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "The Dummies A Day In The Life Of The Dummies UK LP RECORD (213179)". Eil.com. 2002-04-23. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
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