20th Century Boy (1983)
20th Century Boy is a single from the British heavy metal band Girlschool, released by Bronze in October 1983. A cover of the 1973 T. Rex hit, "20th Century Boy" was written by Marc Bolan, with Girlschool's version produced by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album Play Dirty.
Background
In early 1983, Slade's newly-recorded The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome album was met with a mixed response from their label RCA, who felt the album lacked potential chart hits. While work on the album had continued during the early part of 1983, Slade would see little activity until later in the year. Meanwhile, Lea and Holder were approached about producing Girlschool, who wanted the pair to produce their next single. They agreed and recording began in June 1983.
The rest of the band's new album was due to be recorded in Los Angeles with Quiet Riot producer Spencer Proffer. However, Girlschool were pleased with the results of the sessions with Holder and Lea, and asked them to produce the album in its entirety. Recording of Play Dirty was completed in August and marked a change in the band's appearance and musical style as they attempted to make a commercial breakthrough in America.
In October 1983, both Play Dirty and its first single, "20th Century Boy", was released. While the single failed to chart, Play Dirty reached No. 66 in the UK, which was considered a commercial disappointment, while a lukewarm reception was received by fans and critics.
Speaking to Sounds in late 1983, Holder recalled: "Their manager approached me and Jim in the first place and asked us if we'd produce a couple of tracks with the girls for their next single. So we did that and they liked the results so we did the whole album." Speaking of working with the band, he said: "It was really hard work; they're terrors! They're just like the Bash Street Kids really. Discipline went to the wall, but the end product was good and that's all that matters." Lea told Record Mirror: "It was fun working with Girlschool although they were pretty lively and a real handful. We've made them sound more melodic than they've ever done before."
Promotion
A music video was filmed to promote the single. The band also performed the song on UK TV show The Saturday Show.
Release
"20th Century Boy" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by Bronze Records in the UK, Australia, Germany, the Netherland and Spain. The B-side, "Breaking All the Rules", was included as an album track on Play Dirty. The 12" vinyl version of the single featured an additional B-side, "Like It Like That", which was exclusive to the single but later appeared on the 2005 Sanctuary Records CD re-issue of Play Dirty as a bonus track.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Formats
7" single
Personnel
Girlschool
Additional personnel
Background
In early 1983, Slade's newly-recorded The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome album was met with a mixed response from their label RCA, who felt the album lacked potential chart hits. While work on the album had continued during the early part of 1983, Slade would see little activity until later in the year. Meanwhile, Lea and Holder were approached about producing Girlschool, who wanted the pair to produce their next single. They agreed and recording began in June 1983.
The rest of the band's new album was due to be recorded in Los Angeles with Quiet Riot producer Spencer Proffer. However, Girlschool were pleased with the results of the sessions with Holder and Lea, and asked them to produce the album in its entirety. Recording of Play Dirty was completed in August and marked a change in the band's appearance and musical style as they attempted to make a commercial breakthrough in America.
In October 1983, both Play Dirty and its first single, "20th Century Boy", was released. While the single failed to chart, Play Dirty reached No. 66 in the UK, which was considered a commercial disappointment, while a lukewarm reception was received by fans and critics.
Speaking to Sounds in late 1983, Holder recalled: "Their manager approached me and Jim in the first place and asked us if we'd produce a couple of tracks with the girls for their next single. So we did that and they liked the results so we did the whole album." Speaking of working with the band, he said: "It was really hard work; they're terrors! They're just like the Bash Street Kids really. Discipline went to the wall, but the end product was good and that's all that matters." Lea told Record Mirror: "It was fun working with Girlschool although they were pretty lively and a real handful. We've made them sound more melodic than they've ever done before."
Promotion
A music video was filmed to promote the single. The band also performed the song on UK TV show The Saturday Show.
Release
"20th Century Boy" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by Bronze Records in the UK, Australia, Germany, the Netherland and Spain. The B-side, "Breaking All the Rules", was included as an album track on Play Dirty. The 12" vinyl version of the single featured an additional B-side, "Like It Like That", which was exclusive to the single but later appeared on the 2005 Sanctuary Records CD re-issue of Play Dirty as a bonus track.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- Gavin Martin of New Musical Express wrote: "Most of the cover versions that crop up in the chart are travesties, the rape and pillage of a priceless memory; the unfunny Ullman destroying Kirsty MacColl's 'They Don't Know' or that terrible Shooting Star version of 'Reach Out (I'll Be There)'." Some records were made to be left alone, but some were made to be covered and there is a certain logic in the brash feisty Girlschool reconstructing the T Rex teenybop nugget, a logic that galvanises when you hear that they and producers Noddy Holder and Jim Lea of Slade have given the song. It's blitzing metal pop that swaggers in where Jeanie and Suzi fear to tread. I like Jill's odd version of a guitar solo and I love their humour and bravado. In this age of gender confusion the girls mix it up and come out tops. Along with fellow brain scorchers Motorhead's 'Shine', '20th Century Boy' is the finest metal moment of the year."
- Sunie of Number One said: "Tinny re-tread of a T. Rex oldie. It wasn't Marc Bolan at his best, and the song sounds no better in a leather jacket than it did in satin flares."
- David Ling of Number One said in a favourable review of Play Dirty: "The cover of "20th Century Boy" is a joy to the ears."
- In a review of Play Dirty, Eleanor Levy of Record Mirror described Girlschool's version as a "real beaut".
Formats
7" single
- "20th Century Boy" - 3:28
- "Breaking All the Rules" - 3:03
- "20th Century Boy" - 3:28
- "Breaking All the Rules" - 3:03
- "Like It Like That" - 3:28
Personnel
Girlschool
- Kelly Johnson – lead vocals, lead guitar
- Kim McAuliffe – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Gil Weston – bass, backing vocals
- Denise Dufort – drums
Additional personnel
- Noddy Holder - producer
- Jim Lea - producer, mixing
- Polly - sleeve