Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire) (1982)
Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire) is Slade's fourth and final single from their tenth studio album Till Deaf Do Us Part. Released by RCA in Germany only in April 1982, it reached No. 49 on the charts. The song was written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, and produced by Slade.
Background
Following their revival after their performance at the 1980 Reading Festival, Slade signed a deal with RCA Records the following year. In November 1981, the band released the album Till Deaf Do Us Part. After the March 1982 release of the third single, "Ruby Red", RCA and the band chose to release "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" as a single in Germany only. For its release as a single, the near-six-minute album version of the song was cut down to just over three minutes. The editing of the song was handled by Lea, Holder and Don Powell in January 1982. The song would reach No. 49 in the German charts.
For Slade's live-shows, the song would become the band's regular opener and would later appear as the opening track on the band's 1982 live album Slade on Stage.
Release
"Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by RCA in Germany only. The B-side, "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy", was taken from Till Deaf Do Us Part and had been the album's failed lead single in May 1981. The 12" vinyl version of the single was Slade's second release on 12" vinyl. It featured the full-length album version of "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" as the A-side.
Promotion
In Germany, the band performed the song on the TV show Musikladen on 11 March 1982. Later in December 1984, the band would perform the song again on the German ZDF show Thommys Pop Show.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Retrospective reviews
Chart performance
German Singles Chart: #49
Formats
7" single
Personnel
Slade
Background
Following their revival after their performance at the 1980 Reading Festival, Slade signed a deal with RCA Records the following year. In November 1981, the band released the album Till Deaf Do Us Part. After the March 1982 release of the third single, "Ruby Red", RCA and the band chose to release "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" as a single in Germany only. For its release as a single, the near-six-minute album version of the song was cut down to just over three minutes. The editing of the song was handled by Lea, Holder and Don Powell in January 1982. The song would reach No. 49 in the German charts.
For Slade's live-shows, the song would become the band's regular opener and would later appear as the opening track on the band's 1982 live album Slade on Stage.
Release
"Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by RCA in Germany only. The B-side, "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy", was taken from Till Deaf Do Us Part and had been the album's failed lead single in May 1981. The 12" vinyl version of the single was Slade's second release on 12" vinyl. It featured the full-length album version of "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" as the A-side.
Promotion
In Germany, the band performed the song on the TV show Musikladen on 11 March 1982. Later in December 1984, the band would perform the song again on the German ZDF show Thommys Pop Show.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- Kerrang!, in a review of Till Deaf Do Us Part, stated: "Holder's in fine fettle as he squats in the pulpit for "Rock and Roll Preacher". Recorded with a minimum of fuss, this track comes close to capturing the feelings of Slade live, Holder chortling wickedly through every line."
Retrospective reviews
- In a 1986 Slade fan club opinion poll, fans voted the song at No. 1 of the band's three best album tracks. The song was also voted No. 2 of the band's three best live songs.
- In a retrospective review, Geoff Ginsberg of AllMusic commented: "The opener, "Rock and Roll Preacher," features Noddy Holder praying at the altar of rock & roll. This number is so blistering, one wonders just how heavy these guys can get. Answer: very."
Chart performance
German Singles Chart: #49
Formats
7" single
- "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" - 3:17
- "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" - 3:09
- "Rock and Roll Preacher (Hallelujah I'm on Fire)" - 5:34
- "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" - 3:09
Personnel
Slade
- Noddy Holder - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, producer
- Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals, producer
- Jim Lea - bass, organ, backing vocals, producer
- Don Powell - drums, producer