I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)

"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am!)" is a song written by Gary Glitter and Mike Leander and produced by Mike Leander. [1] It was Glitter's first number one single in the UK, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in July 1973.


Description

The song I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am!) was a top hit for British rock singer Gary Glitter; the song reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in July and August 1973.[1] It was written by Gary Glitter and Mike Leander and produced by Mike Leander.[1] As a result of its popularity, Glitter's nickname became "The Leader of the Gang", often shortened to "The Leader".

The song is a glam rock anthem typical of Glitter's early 1970s output, based on a simple mid-tempo rhythm (the so-called "Glitter Stomp") and loud chanted backing vocals such as "Hey!" and "Come on, come on!". Gary Glitter had a backing band, The Glitter Band, but they did not participate in his recording sessions, and precisely who, if anyone, helped Glitter and producer/co-writer Mike Leander in the studio remains unknown. Glitter has said in interviews that he and Leander preferred to play everything themselves, since it allowed them to record the songs as they were being written.

The song became a concert favourite with the crowd chanting the "Come On, Come On" refrain before Glitter took to the stage. Although Glitter's version failed to chart in the USA, the following year a version by Brownsville Station made the top 30 on the Cashbox top 100[2] and reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1986, still a popular live act, Glitter re-recorded the song with Girlschool. This version missed the UK charts but reached #12 in Australia. In 1997, Spice Girls covered the song for their movie Spice World (film). Gary Glitter originally made a cameo appearance in the movie, but his scene was deleted after he was arrested for child pornography.[3]


The song was used in the 1997 movie The Full Monty where it is credited in the trailer section.

Green Jellÿ cover

"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
Single by Green Jellÿ featuring Hulk Hogan
Released 1993
Genre Comedy rock, heavy metal
Label Zoo Entertainment
Green Jellÿ featuring Hulk Hogan singles chronology
"Electric Harley House (Of Love)"
(1993)		 "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
(1993)		 "House Me Teenage Rave"
(1993)

In 1993, comedy metal band Green Jellÿ released "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)", with professional wrestler Hulk Hogan singing lead vocals. The release scored them a third Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom.

Track listing

  1. "I'm the Leader of the Gang"
  2. "I'm the Leader of the Gang" (12" Remix)
  3. "Thing-a-Ma-Bob"
  4. "Hulkamaniac"

References

  1. 1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 289. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ The Truth Behind The Deleted Gary Glitter Cameo In The Spice Girls Movie
Preceded by
"Welcome Home" by Peters and Lee		 UK number one single
28 July 1973 (4 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Young Love" by Donny Osmond
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