Give Us a Goal

"Give Us a Goal"

UK cover of "Give Us a Goal"
Single by Slade
B-side Daddio
Released March, 1978
Format 7" Single
Genre Hard rock
Length 2:49
Label Barn Records
Writer(s) Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Producer(s) Chas Chandler
Slade singles chronology
"My Baby Left Me - That's All Right"
(1977)		 "Give Us a Goal"
(1978)		 "Rock 'n' Roll Bolero"
(1978)
Audio sample
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"Give Us a Goal" is a single from English rock band Slade.[1] It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1978 and failed to chart in the UK.[2] The single was based on football.

At the time Slade were still unpopular and were not having any commercial success. Holder suggested that the band write and release a football track to try to get some commercial success.[3]

The single was also promoted through UK TV, Slade appearing on shows such as Cheggers Plays Pop.[4]

The track was used in the TV ad for the popular football video game Fifa 09.[5] The track has since become increasingly popular, gathering approx 85,000 views on YouTube.[6]

English writer Chris Ingham described the track as "a fair effort at a rock 'n' roll football anthem although the b-side Daddio was a better bet all around."[7]

The single was released on 12" vinyl in Italy during 1978, being Slade's only 12" single at that time.[8]

Promotion

A promotional video was created for the single, whilst the band performed the song on the UK shows Cheggers Plays Pop and Get It Together, with the latter performance remaining unseen since the original broadcast. The band's live performances were also a form of promotion.

An advertisement from Record Mirror for the single at the time was a cartoon drawing of the band scoring a goal against Lea who appeared as the goalkeeper.[9]

Music Video

The promo video for the single features the band playing football at Goldstone Ground in Hove with the football team of Brighton. On the day of filming, it was so cold that guitarist Dave Hill had to wear a hat - the band could hardly play football in the weather either. The film crew had to keep filming the band until one of the members scored a goal against Brighton's goalkeeper.

The film was made just before a home match at Brighton Football Club. Slade played the song live in front of a stand full of football supporters. Close up shots of the crowd revealed Holder to be among the supporters. Other sequences featured the band playing football in Brighton strip and Hill blowing the referee’s whistle. The directors of the video wanted it to close with a member of Slade scoring a goal, and it took ages to capture this on film. Powell was the member who actually got the ball in the net.

The video was voted #1 of the top three Slade music videos in the Slade Fan Club Poll of 1979.[10][11]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Give Us a Goal" - 2:49
  2. "Daddio" - 2:30

Critical reception

Record Mirror reviewed the single upon release, "I'd like to see the oldies make it again, I really would. I always loved their gigs, just for the atmosphere. I think that's what they must have been thinking about when they wrote this song, because it recaptures the football fervour they used to build up. That's why it's a bit sad, because I don't think it's worked. I think they're groping in the dark (not a pleasant occupation when it's just for ideas), looking backwards for their future. The song's got plenty of guts, the typical rasping vocals, all that stuff, but it's missed the goal."[12]

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Slade - Give Us A Goal at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  2. ↑ "Slade". Chart Stats. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  3. ↑ The Very Best of Slade 2005 DVD interview
  4. ↑ "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  5. ↑ "FIFA 09 - It's in the Game with EA Sports Advert, Ad - Electronic Arts Software - Video Clip". Visit4info.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  6. ↑ "Broadcast Yourself". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  7. ↑ Whatever Happened To Slade 1977 album remaster booklet
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ Slade Fan Club Magazine January-February 1980
  12. ↑ Record Mirror magazine 4 March 1978
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