Released 11 October 1974 Genre Glam rock Label Polydor Records | Format 7" Single, CD Single Length 3:33 | |
B-side O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday | ||
"Far Far Away" is a single from rock band Slade which was released in 1974 to promote the upcoming film titled Slade in Flame. It appeared on the soundtrack album of the same name. The song was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and was originally titled "Letting Loose Around The World". It peaked at #2 in the UK, spending 6 weeks on the chart and 5 weeks in the top 10 and was certified UK Silver by BPI in November 1974.
Contents
Background
As referenced in singer Noddy Holder's biography, Far Far Away remains his favourite Slade song. Holder originally came up with the lyrics while standing on a balcony overlooking the Mississippi river in Memphis. Manager Chas Chandler inspired Holder to complete the song. Jim contributed the chorus to Holder's verse.
In an early 1986 Slade fan club magazine interview, guitarist Dave Hill spoke of the song's lyrics. "The song was written about being abroad wasn't it? 'Yellow lights go down the Mississippi' and all that - being in the States and wanting to go back home. They were just experiences. Obviously, when you are on the road, you are writing about being on the road, you're writing about what's going on."
Promotion
A promotional video was created for the single, whilst the band also performed the song on the German TV show Disco and Dutch TV. No TV performances of the song were created within the UK, and no live performances by the band could help promotion at the time as the band were still filming Slade in Flame.
Music video
At the time the video was being made, Slade were involved in the filming of Slade in Flame. They therefore used the film crew to record this video. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea couldn't recall whether it was Gavrik Lasey or Richard Loncraine who actually directed the video. The video featured the group performing the song whilst wearing the 'Flame' outfits, and using the camera trick of each member's face appearing seven times on the screen and revolving in a circular manner.
Critical reception
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single. "Want a surprise? Then listen to this Slade single which is taken from the forthcoming film Flame. This is a very melodic Noddy, no screaming or shouting - practically gentle by Slade standards, but it's very good, strong chorus line and backing. Just the name Slade normally means an instant hit, in this case, it'll be a well deserved hit."
Later success in Germany
In 1992, it was used on the Soundtrack of "Go Trabi Go 2: Das war der Wilde Osten".
In 1993, the fashion label C&A published a TV advertisement ("Don Quixote") using the song. Following the popularity of that ad the song was re-released in Germany the same year and reached number 19 on the German Singles charts.
In 1996, Slade II performed the song live on a German TV show. This lineup featured original members guitarist Dave Hill and drummer Don Powell with bassist Craig Fenney and vocalist Steve Whalley. In 2009, the song was performed on the German TV show Die ultimative Chartshow by the current lineup of Slade featuring Hill and Powell with bassist John Berry and vocalist Mal McNulty. In 2011, the song was performed live on the German RSH Pop Awards Show, which was broadcast nationally, by the current lineup of Slade where the band also performed My Oh My.
Trivia
Cover versions
Formats
- "Far Far Away" - 3:33
- "O.K. Yesterday Was Yesterday" - 3:51
- "Far Far Away" - 3:33
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26
- "Far Far Away" - 3:34
- "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" - 3:41
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26
- "Far Far Away" - 3:34
- "Skweeze Me Pleeze Me" - 4:26