July 19, 1974:

The Single: "Rocket" / "The Ladies" by Mud was released.

Vinyl label for "Rocket" by Mud, released in 1974 under RAK Records in the UK, catalogue number RAK 178, produced by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn.

Label: RAK Records (UK: RAK 174; Germany: RAK/EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 707)

Format: 7" vinyl, 45 RPM

Tracks:

A-side: "Rocket" (4:06)

B-side: "The Ladies" (3:44)

Songwriters/Producers: Written and produced by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman

Musical Style and Content:

"Rocket":

A vibrant glam rock track with a persistent chugging guitar riff and a lead guitar break reminiscent of Brian May’s style, as noted by Discogs reviewers. Lead singer Les Gray’s vocals channel an Elvis Presley-like delivery, a hallmark of Mud’s sound during this period.

Lyrically, the song tells the story of a young girl, initially named Abigail Rocket Blast, chasing Hollywood fame. It blends themes of ambition and transformation with a satirical edge, with lines like: "Well-a well-a you changed your name to Abigail Rocket Blast / And then they lined you up for a Hollywood movie cast." The chorus, "Rocket, I’m gonna launch you soon / You’re gonna reach the moon," uses space imagery to symbolize her rise to stardom.

The song’s infectious energy and rock 'n' roll vibe made it a fan favorite, with one Discogs reviewer claiming it was voted the best Mud single on a fan page.

"The Ladies":

The B-side is less documented but complements "Rocket" with a similar glam rock style. It runs for 3:44 and is noted for its catchy, upbeat tone, though it lacks the A-side’s prominence.

Vinyl label for "The Ladies" by Mud, released in 1974 under RAK Records in the UK, catalogue number RAK 178, produced by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn.

Production: Recorded under the guidance of Chinn and Chapman, known for their polished, hit-making formula, the single was part of Mud’s Mud Rock album (1974), which capitalized on their glam rock success. The production features crisp instrumentation and a driving rhythm, tailored for the UK charts.

Chart Performance

UK: "Rocket" reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart in 1974, continuing Mud’s streak of Top 10 hits after "Tiger Feet" (#1), "The Cat Crept In" (#2), and "Dyna-mite" (#4).

International:

Netherlands: Peaked at 2 in the Dutch Top 40 (August–October 1974).

Germany: Reached 9.

The single’s international success underscored Mud’s popularity in Europe during the glam rock era.

Cultural Impact:

The song gained visibility through TV performances, notably on ZDF-Disco (October 1974) and Geordie Scene, boosting its recognition. Fans on hitparade.ch recall its nostalgic appeal, with one user noting its discovery on a cassette dated November 1974, praising it as an “ausgesprochen guter Song” (exceptionally good song).

Sheet music cover for the song "Rocket" by the band Mud, featuring the group's stylish black and white ensemble and creative pose, encapsulating the vibrant glam rock era.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews:

Fans and reviewers on hitparade.ch gave mixed but generally positive feedback. Some praised its rock 'n' roll energy and Les Gray’s Elvis-like vocals, with comments like “Mischung aus Elvis Presley und Status Quo. Gut.” (Mix of Elvis Presley and Status Quo. Good.). Others felt it didn’t match the intensity of "Tiger Feet" or "The Cat Crept In," describing it as “viel zu langsam für eine echte Rakete” (much too slow for a real rocket) but still awarding it four stars.

A Discogs reviewer highlighted its “terrific rock song” qualities, noting the Brian May-esque guitar and fan acclaim as Mud’s best single.

Modern Nostalgia: The single evokes strong teenage memories for fans, with one hitparade.ch user recalling dancing to it and loving Mud’s music after seeing them on Disco. It’s described as a quintessential glam rock track, though some felt it lacked the “krachend” (crashing) energy of Mud’s biggest hits.

Streaming and Compilations:

Both tracks appear on compilations like The Singles ’67–’78 (1997) and Mud Rock (1974).

"Rocket" and "The Ladies" are available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, with performances like TopPop and Geordie Scene widely accessible.

Legacy Band Trajectory:

"Rocket" was part of Mud’s golden era with RAK Records (1973–1975), during which they scored 14 UK Top 20 hits, including three 1s ("Tiger Feet," "Lonely This Christmas," "Oh Boy"). After "Rocket," Mud released "In the Mood" under the pseudonym “Dum” (a playful nod to “Mud” spelled backward), which failed to chart, signaling the start of their chart decline.

Cover image for the single "Rocket/The Ladies" by Mud, released under the RAK label in the Netherlands, catalogued as 5C 006-9570. The design features a bold, retro style with a monochrome band photo.

Cultural Significance: The single captures the glam rock zeitgeist, with its flashy production and Elvis-inspired swagger. Its TV performances and chart success cemented Mud’s reputation as a leading glam act, though they later shifted to disco and rockabilly influences.

Fan Sentiment: Fans on hitparade.ch and Discogs express nostalgia, with comments like “Die Musik von Mud vrat ik als tiener als chocola” (I devoured Mud’s music as a teenager like chocolate) and “wegen genau diesem Song – liebte ich auch die Mucke der MUD” (because of this song, I loved Mud’s music).

Additional Notes

Lineup: The recording featured Les Gray (vocals), Rob Davis (guitar), Ray Stiles (bass), and Dave Mount (drums). Andy Ball (keyboards) joined in 1975, after this release.