Good Time Gals (1974)
Good Time Gals is Slade's second single from their fourth studio album Old New Borrowed and Blue. Released in the United States by Warner Bros. Records in February 1974, the single failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Polydor also released the song as a single in Australia. The song was written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler.
Background
The material on Old New Borrowed and Blue was recorded amid the band's touring and promotional activities in late 1973. It also marked the return of Don Powell to the studio after suffering a near-fatal car crash in July, which briefly threw the band's existence into doubt. In America, the album was titled Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet and released in February 1974. That same month, the lead single in America, "Good Time Gals", was released but failed to chart, as did the follow-up "When the Lights Are Out".
Release
"Good Time Gals" was released on 7" vinyl by Warner Bros. Records in America and by Polydor in Australia. The B-side on the American release, "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof", was written by Holder and Lea, and also included on Old New Borrowed and Blue. In addition to the main US release, a promotional version was also issued, containing "When the Lights Are Out" on both sides of the vinyl, one in mono and the other in stereo. In March, "Good Time Gals" also appeared as the B-side to the single "Everyday". However in Australia, Polydor chose to reverse the single so that "Good Time Gals" became the A-side and "Everyday" the B-side.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Retrospective reviews
Formats
7" single (US release)
Personnel
Slade
Additional personnel
Background
The material on Old New Borrowed and Blue was recorded amid the band's touring and promotional activities in late 1973. It also marked the return of Don Powell to the studio after suffering a near-fatal car crash in July, which briefly threw the band's existence into doubt. In America, the album was titled Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet and released in February 1974. That same month, the lead single in America, "Good Time Gals", was released but failed to chart, as did the follow-up "When the Lights Are Out".
Release
"Good Time Gals" was released on 7" vinyl by Warner Bros. Records in America and by Polydor in Australia. The B-side on the American release, "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof", was written by Holder and Lea, and also included on Old New Borrowed and Blue. In addition to the main US release, a promotional version was also issued, containing "When the Lights Are Out" on both sides of the vinyl, one in mono and the other in stereo. In March, "Good Time Gals" also appeared as the B-side to the single "Everyday". However in Australia, Polydor chose to reverse the single so that "Good Time Gals" became the A-side and "Everyday" the B-side.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- Cash Box selected the song as one of their "picks of the week" and said: "Great percussive opening keys this rocker, typical of the vibrant energy the group puts across both live and on record. Interesting lyrics and a striking lead guitar break coupled with a perfect pop tempo add up to great potential for this disk."
- In a review of Old New Borrowed and Blue, New Musical Express felt the song was "one of the LP's prime contenders for single status".
Retrospective reviews
- In a retrospective review of the album, Elly Roberts of AllGigs said: ""Good Time Gals" is an outstanding track with Hill having a ball on solos."
- In a review of the 2015 box-set When Slade Rocked the World, Kieron Tyler of The Arts Desk commented: "The yearning "Everyday" is given an added poignancy by being followed by the lurching, Stones-style rocker "Good Time Gals" where Noddy Holder declares: "I wanted to suck your candy, give me good time gals for the rest of my life". Slade did not end albums on a downer."
Formats
7" single (US release)
- "Good Time Gals" - 3:31
- "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" - 3:08
- "Good Time Gals" - 3:31
- "Good Time Gals" - 3:31
- "Good Time Gals" - 3:31
- "Everyday" - 3:10
Personnel
Slade
- Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Lea - bass, backing vocals
- Don Powell - drums
Additional personnel
- Chas Chandler - producer