Slade: In For A Penny Single (1975)

Slade's Imagine That Flip

Slade’s “In For A Penny” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on November 14, 1975, on Polydor Records (catalogue: 2058 663). Backed with “Can You Just Imagine,” this upbeat glam-pop anthem, written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, was produced by Chas Chandler for Barn Productions. The lead single from Nobody's Fools, the A-side’s catchy chorus and stomping rhythm peaked at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart for 8 weeks. Lacquer cut by TONE at Master Room, pressed by Phonodisc Ltd., issued with first 30,000 in special picture sleeve, company sleeve (large/solid centre) variants, it’s a vibrant Slade ‘70s staple.

Single Overview

A-Side: “In For A Penny” (3:34, Holder, Lea)

Written-By – James Lea, Neville Holder. Producer – Chas Chandler.

B-Side: “Can You Just Imagine” (3:31, Holder, Lea)

Written-By – Lea, Holder. Producer – Chas Chandler.

Release Details:

Label: Polydor Records (UK pressing, 45 RPM).

Published By – Barn Publishing (Slade) Ltd.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Polydor International.

Produced For – Barn Productions.

Mastered At – Master Room.

Pressed By – Phonodisc Ltd.

Lacquer Cut By – Tone.

UK Formats:

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Plastic Injection Solid Centre Picture Sleeve (2058 663):

A: “In For A Penny” (3:34) – Written-By – James Lea, Neville Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

B: “Can You Just Imagine” (3:31, Holder, Lea) – Written-By – Lea, Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Plastic Injection Large Centre Stereo, Company Sleeve (2058 663):

A: “In For A Penny” (3:34) – Written-By – James Lea, Neville Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

B: “Can You Just Imagine” (3:31, Holder, Lea) – Written-By – Lea, Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Plastic Injection Solid Centre Company Sleeve (2058 663):

A: “In For A Penny” (3:34) – Written-By – James Lea, Neville Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

B: “Can You Just Imagine” (3:31, Holder, Lea) – Written-By – Lea, Holder – Producer – Chas Chandler

Notes: Made in England.

UK (Polydor 2058 663): Released November 14, 1975. Picture sleeve, company sleeve

Country Variations

The single was released in several countries:

Picture sleeve/company sleeve, (large/solid center),

Australia (Polydor 1975)

Austria (Polydor 1975)

Belgium (Polydor 1975)

Brazil (Polydor 1976)

France (Polydor 1975)

Germany (Polydor 1975)

Ireland (Polydor 1975)

Japan (Polydor DP 4008 promo 1976)

Netherlands (Polydor 1975)

Portugal (Polydor 1975)

Scandinavia (Polydor 1975)

Spain (Polydor 1975)

Yugoslavia (PGP RTB/Polydor 1976)

Production and Context

Produced by Chas Chandler for Barn Productions. Recorded in 1975. The lineup: Noddy Holder (lead vocals), Dave Hill (guitar), Jim Lea (bass), Don Powell (drums). “In For A Penny” was the lead from Nobody's Fools, performed on Top of the Pops and Supersonic (TOTP footage lost). In 1986, Lea recalled watching Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” video at Freddie Mercury’s flat post-TOTP.

Chart Performance:

Entry Date: November 22, 1975.

Peak: No. 11 (December 6, 1975).

Weeks on Chart: 8 (Nov 22, 1975 – Jan 10, 1976).

Chart Run: No. 27 (Nov 22), No. 19 (Nov 29), No. 11 (Dec 6), No. 17 (Dec 13), No. 23 (Dec 20), No. 25 (Dec 27), No. 25 (Jan 3), No. 42 (Jan 10).

Legacy and Collectibility

“In For A Penny” is Slade’s glam-pop penny drop, with “Can You Just Imagine” a dreamy B-side. Verify catalogue 2058 663.

Streams on Spotify via Nobody's Fools reissues preserve the analog stomp. This single is a must-have for Slade fans and ‘70s glam collectors.

Have you snagged this Slade penny in your vinyl collection? Does In For A Penny pay off? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube