The Whole World's Goin' Crazee (1972)
The Whole World's Goin' Crazee is Slade's second single from their third studio album Slayed?. A promotional only flexi-disc single, it was provided as a free feature in the November 1972 issue of Music Scene magazine, which itself would have been released on 20 October. Mike Hugg's "Bonnie Charlie" was featured as the B-side. "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" was written by Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler.
Background
By the time Slayed? was released in late 1972, Slade had become a big success in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world. Slade Alive! had been released to both commercial success and critical acclaim earlier in the year, while the first single from Slayed?, "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" gave the band their third number one single in the UK. Prior to the release of Slayed? on 1 November, and before "Gudbuy T'Jane" was released as the follow-up single to "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" was pressed as a flexi-disc by Polydor and released in the November 1972 issue of Music Scene. The magazine noted: "The Slade song "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee", the free record with this first issue of ''Music Scene'', will be featured on their soon to be released album ''Slayed?''."
Release
"The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" was pressed on 7" flexi-disc vinyl by Polydor and released through Music Scene in the UK only. The B-side was Mike Hugg's "Bonnie Charlie", a song featured on his 1972 album Somewhere, which was also released by Polydor.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Retrospective reviews
Formats
7" single
Personnel
Slade
Additional personnel
Cover versions
Background
By the time Slayed? was released in late 1972, Slade had become a big success in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world. Slade Alive! had been released to both commercial success and critical acclaim earlier in the year, while the first single from Slayed?, "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" gave the band their third number one single in the UK. Prior to the release of Slayed? on 1 November, and before "Gudbuy T'Jane" was released as the follow-up single to "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" was pressed as a flexi-disc by Polydor and released in the November 1972 issue of Music Scene. The magazine noted: "The Slade song "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee", the free record with this first issue of ''Music Scene'', will be featured on their soon to be released album ''Slayed?''."
Release
"The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" was pressed on 7" flexi-disc vinyl by Polydor and released through Music Scene in the UK only. The B-side was Mike Hugg's "Bonnie Charlie", a song featured on his 1972 album Somewhere, which was also released by Polydor.
Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
- In a review of Slayed?, New Musical Express stated: "Jimmy Lea gets some barrell house piano going in "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee", which is another great rock and roller.
Retrospective reviews
- In a retrospective review of Slayed?, Dave Thompson of AllMusic commented: "Slayed? is a nonstop party, from the riotously self-fulfilling prophecy of "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" to the down-key but still eminently stompalong-able "Look at Last Nite"."
Formats
7" single
- Slade - "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" - 3:35
- Mike Hugg - "Bonnie Charlie" - 4:36
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
Cover versions
- In 1984, American actress/singer Lorna Luft released her own version of the song as a 12" vinyl promotional single in the United States by Silver Blue/CBS. It was produced by Joel Diamond and aimed at the club scene.