Mud: "Beating Round The Bush" Single (1977)

Mud’s "Beating Round The Bush" backed with "Under The Moon Of Love", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Private Stock Records (catalog number PVT 84) on March 18, 1977.

Background and Context: Mud, formed in 1966 in Carshalton, Surrey, were a prominent glam rock band in the 1970s, known for hits like "Tiger Feet," "Lonely This Christmas," and "Oh Boy," all of which reached #1 in the UK. By 1977, Mud had moved from Rak Records to Private Stock, transitioning away from their earlier glam rock sound toward a mix of rock and roll revival and pop influences. This shift came after parting ways with producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman in 1975, who had crafted their biggest hits. The band at this time consisted of lead vocalist Les Gray, guitarist Rob Davis, bassist Ray Stiles, drummer Dave Mount, and keyboardist Andy Ball (who joined in 1975).

Promotional label stamped with September 12, 1977.

Single Details:

- A-side: Beating Round The Bush (3:23)

- Written by Rob Davis and Ray Stiles.

- Produced by Pip Williams, known for work with Status Quo and others.

- The song did not chart significantly in the UK, reflecting Mud's declining commercial success by 1977, as glam rock waned and Private Stock faced financial difficulties.

- B-side: Under The Moon Of Love (3:00)

- A cover of a 1961 song by Curtis Lee, written by Tommy Boyce and Curtis

Lee, originally produced by Phil Spector.

- Mud had previously recorded this track for their 1975 album Use Your Imagination, but it was not released as a single at the time. The decision to include it as the B-side in 1977 was notable, as a rival band, Showaddywaddy, had a #1 UK hit with their version in 1976. Mud's producer, Phil Wainman, believed their version was superior, but the band opted for other singles like "L'L'Lucy" instead, a decision Wainman called "professional suicide."

- The track features a rock and roll revival style with doo-wop elements, including backing vocals by Jackie Sullivan, Vicki Brown, and Joy Yates, evoking a 1960s girl-group sound.

- Release Information:

- Released on 7" vinyl by Private Stock UK (PVT 113) on September 23, 1977.

- Matrix/Runout: Side A: PVT 113 A-1U; Side B: PVT 113 B-1U, with "MELYS" etched, indicating mastering at IBC Studios.

- The single was also issued as a promo in some markets, but it failed to enter the UK Singles Chart, though it reached #84 in the Record Business Singles Chart.

Musical Style and Themes: Beating Round The Bush is a straightforward rock and roll track with a driving rhythm and catchy hooks, typical of Mud's later output as they leaned into retro influences. Under The Moon Of Love is a nostalgic, upbeat cover with lyrics about romantic longing under a moonlit setting, delivered with Mud's characteristic energy and layered vocal harmonies. Both tracks reflect the band's attempt to stay relevant in a changing music landscape, moving away from glam rock toward a more traditional rock and roll sound.

Critical and Commercial Reception: The single was not a commercial success, as Mud's chart presence had faded by 1977. Beating Round The Bush lacked the impact of their earlier hits, and the choice of Under The Moon Of Love as the B-side was overshadowed by Showaddywaddy's chart-topping version the previous year. Critics and fans noted Mud's struggle to maintain relevance after their peak years (1973-1976). The single's lack of chart success contributed to Mud's eventual move to RCA Records later in 1977, where they released further singles like "Slow Talking Boy" with limited success.

Legacy and Context: The Beating Round The Bush / Under The Moon Of Love single is a footnote in Mud's discography, reflecting a transitional period as the band navigated the decline of glam rock and financial issues at Private Stock. It is primarily of interest to collectors and fans, as evidenced by its availability on platforms like Discogs, where copies have sold for $0.59 to $7.23 (median $2.45). The single appears on compilations like the 2023 Cherry Red 3CD set Mud: The Singles 1973-80, which includes all their Private Stock and RCA releases. Under The Moon Of Love remains a notable track in Mud's catalog, though overshadowed by Showaddywaddy's hit version.

Additional Notes:

- By late 1977, Mud's momentum was waning, and after Private Stock's financial troubles, Les Gray left for a solo career in 1978, though the band continued briefly with vocalist Margo Buchanan.

Sources and Verification: Information is drawn from my knowledge of Mud's discography and music history, supplemented by web sources including Discogs , Wikipedia, and mudrock.org.uk . Additional context comes from an interview on alwynwturner.com detailing the band and producer's perspective on Under The Moon Of Love.