B-side Candidate Format 7" Single Length 2:54 | Released 28 January 1972 Genre Glam rock Label Polydor Records | |
"Look Wot You Dun" is a single from glam rock band Slade which appeared on the album Sladest. It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder, bassist Jim Lea and drummer Don Powell. The single was released just when Slade's previous single Coz I Luv You had its last week in the top 100. The single peaked at #4 in the UK, spending 10 weeks on the chart, last on the top 100 on 08/04/1972 at #38. The single originally entered the charts at #25 and climbed to #9 the following week and #4 after. It remained at #4 for 3 weeks. The previous single topped the UK charts.
Contents
Background
Upon release, the single sparked a protest from teachers across the UK about bad spelling. Record Mirror magazine published a short article about the protest at the time, "The new Slade single "Look Wot You Dun" has sparked off protests amongst the teaching profession, according to a spokesman for the group. He told Record Mirror that several teachers have written to the Ministry of Education complaining about the deliberate misspelling of the title and the previous single "Coz I Luv You". They allege that the phonetic spellings create confusion in their pupils' minds."
Guitarist Dave Hill made the "Piano equals failure." statement about the single at the time of release.
The track was originally written by Lea and Powell and was taken to Noddy for his input. The track was influenced by John Lennon. During recording, Slade's guitarist Dave Hill borrowed Peter Frampton's guitar as his own had been left at home and was inaccessible due to bad weather during the Christmas holiday. This track is the only Slade song to feature a Don Powell vocal of heavy breathing in the chorus.
Promotion
The main form of promotion for the single was the band's live performances as well as the band performing the song on UK and European TV.
The song was performed on the UK show Top of the Pops, whilst the song was included as part of the band's Set of Six performance on UK Granada Television in 1972 featured a similar set to the Slade Alive! album. The song was also performed on an unknown French TV show as well as the German TV show Hits a GoGo.
Music video
Two music videos were made by Caravelle for the single. The first one being the famous one made at Chessington Zoo. Bassist/co-writer Jim Lea particularly remembered it being a freezing cold day and feeling absolutely revolted at the sequence of drummer/co-writer Don Powell eating the sprats at the seal's feeding time. The second music video was made in the studio and featured the group playing the song. Vocalist/co-writer Holder was wearing his own magician's outfit, whilst Lea had his own stars and stripes bomber jacket on. All that Lea can remember of the film was that it was made "with the cameras right up our noses".
Track listing
- "Look Wot You Dun" - 2:45
- "Candidate" - 2:40
Critical reception
Upon release, Record Mirror magazine reviewed the single, "Quite definitely, they've done it again. Apart from already incurring the wrath of education authorities over the title-phrase spelling, Slade are directly into at least a top five mood with this one. It's a sturdily staccato sort of theme, right into a commercial 'feel', group vocal, touches of guitar. The whole thing is complete; everything falls into place. No doubts here - chart certain."