Universe (Slade song) explained

Universe
Cover:Sladesingle-universe.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Slade
Album:Wall of Hits
B-Side:
  • "Red Hot"
  • "Merry Xmas Everybody"
Released:2 December 1991[1]
Studio:Rich Bitch Studios
Genre:Rock
Length:4:15
Label:Polydor
Producer:Jim Lea
Prev Title:Radio Wall of Sound
Prev Year:1991

"Universe" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in December 1991 as the second single from their compilation album Wall of Hits (1991). It was written and produced by bassist Jim Lea. "Universe" reached number 76 in the UK Singles Chart and was the band's last single before disbanding in 1992.

Background

"Universe" was the second of two new singles to be released from the band's 1991 compilation album Wall of Hits. Earlier that year, Polydor approached the band with their plans to release a new compilation album and offered them the opportunity to record two new singles to promote it. The contract signed by the band was for two new singles, with the option for a new studio album if both performed well commercially. The band subsequently used Birmingham's Rich Bitch Studios in mid-1991 to record some new songs.[2] The first new single, "Radio Wall of Sound", was released in October 1991 and reached number 21 in the UK Singles Chart, giving the band their first UK top 40 hit since 1984. Wall of Hits followed in November and would peak at number 34 in the UK Albums Chart.[3]

"Universe" was released at the beginning of December and was intended to continue promoting and boosting sales of Wall of Hits. The single was originally scheduled for a mid-November release but Polydor pushed the date back to 2 December.[4] "Universe" failed to replicate the success of "Radio Wall of Sound" and stalled at number 76 in the UK Singles Chart. The disappointing performance of the single resulted in Polydor declining the option for a new studio album and the band split up in March 1992.[4] [5]

In a 1992 fan club interview, lead vocalist Noddy Holder spoke of the song in relation to "Radio Wall of Sound" and its commercial failure, "I liked 'Universe' even though I knew it was not such an instant song and it would take people time to latch on to it. I saw [it] as the stronger song and maybe if we had held it back for a while it may have been more successful but unfortunately it got lost in the Christmas market. We didn't realise how late 'Universe' was coming out; it was actually two weeks later than planned. I don't know why, but by then we were into the Christmas mania season and, not being such an instant track, it lost out to the more popular records."[4] In his 1999 biography Who's Crazee Now?, Holder recalled, "'Universe' was very orchestral, backed by strings and totally unlike anything we had ever done before as Slade. I liked it, just because it was so different. It bombed [and] was too far from what people expected of us."[6]

Lea originally intended for both "Universe" and "Radio Wall of Sound" to be used for a solo project until they became Slade tracks for the deal with Polydor. The B-side "Red Hot" was a recording made by Dave Hill with other musicians to which Noddy Holder added vocals.[7] In 2007, Lea released his own version of "Universe" on his debut solo album Therapy.[8] In 2023, Lea released a new recording of the song, which reached number 1 on The Heritage Chart.

Music video

The song's music video, directed by William Clark, was filmed at a studio in Shepherd's Bush on 21 November 1991.[9] Drummer Don Powell noted in his diary at the time that "we go Amadeus [in] the video", in reference to the 1984 American period drama film of the same name.[5]

Promotion

With the release of "Universe" in Europe on 6 January 1992,[10] Slade made what would be their final public appearance together as a band on the German TV show Gottschalk on 26 February to perform the song.[11]

Formats

7-inch (UK and Europe) and cassette single (UK)[12] [13]

  1. "Universe" – 4:18
  2. "Red Hot" – 3:35
  3. "Merry Xmas Everybody" – 3:43

12-inch and CD single (UK and Europe)[14] [15]

  1. "Universe" – 4:18
  2. "Red Hot" – 3:35
  3. "Gypsy Roadhog" – 3:27
  4. "Merry Xmas Everybody" – 3:43

Personnel

Slade

Additional musicians

Production

Other

Notes and References

  1. Malcolm Skellington . The new Slade single Universe . Perseverance: Official Newsletter of the Slade International Fan Club . October-December 1991 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  2. Skellington . Malcolm . Between the Lines . Perseverance: Official Newsletter of the Slade International Fan Club . April-June 1991 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  3. Web site: Slade; full Official Chart History . . 26 August 2023.
  4. Skellington . Malcolm . Noddy Interview . Perseverance: Quarterly Newsletter for the Slade International Fan Club . January-March 1992 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  5. Book: Powell . Don . Falkenberg . Lise Lyng . Look Wot I Dun: Don Powell of Slade . 2013 . Omnibus Press . 9781783230006.
  6. Book: Holder . Noddy . Verrico . Lisa . Who's Crazee Now? . 1999 . Ebury . 9780091870751.
  7. Web site: O'Neill . Eamon . Jim Lea . eonmusic . September 2020 . 26 August 2023.
  8. Therapy . . 2007 . UK CD album . Jim Jam Records.
  9. Malcolm Skellington . Late News . Perseverance: Official Newsletter of the Slade International Fan Club . October-December 1991 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  10. Malcolm Skellington . Universe . Perseverance: Official Newsletter of the Slade International Fan Club . April-June 1992 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  11. Malcolm Skellington . Bits 'n' Bobs . Perseverance: Quarterly Newsletter for the Slade International Fan Club . January-March 1992 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.
  12. Universe . . 1991 . UK and European 7-inch single sleeve notes . . PO 189, 865 178-7.
  13. Universe . . 1991 . UK and European cassette single liner notes . . POCS 189, 865 179-4.
  14. Universe . . 1991 . UK and European 12-inch single sleeve notes . . PZ 189, 865 179-1.
  15. Universe . . 1991 . UK and European CD single liner notes . . PZCD 189, 865 179-2.
  16. Singles - Positions 76 to 200 . . Spotlight Publications . 14 December 1991 . 2.
  17. Malcolm Skellington . Postbag . Perseverance: Quarterly Newsletter for the Slade International Fan Club . January-March 1992 . sladefanclub.com . 26 August 2023.