Slade: The Whole World's Goin' Crazy Single (1972)

Crazy in the Music Scene

The Glam Rock Freebie Hit

Slade’s “The Whole World's Goin' Crazy” 7-inch flexi disc single, was released in the UK on October 20, 1972, as a free insert with the first issue of Music Scene magazine. Backed with “Bonnie Charlie” by Mike Hugg, this high-energy glam rock track, written by Noddy Holder, was a taster from the soon to be released album Slayed?.

Produced by Chas Chandler, the A-side’s anthemic chant and stomping rhythm captured Slade’s infectious joy, while the B-side offered a contrasting folk-pop vibe. As a promo freebie, it did not chart. Distributed with Music Scene (published on the third Friday of each month), it’s a rare collectible for Slade enthusiasts.

Single Overview

A-Side:

“The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy” spelt correct not like on the album "The Whole World's Goin' Crazee" (3:37, Noddy Holder)

A raucous glam stomper with pounding drums, Holder’s exuberant vocals, and lyrics celebrating rock 'n' roll chaos (“The whole world's goin' crazee, crazee, crazee”). Recorded in 1972 at Olympic Studios, London, during Slayed? (November 1972) sessions.

The A-side was produced by Chas Chandler. The lineup featured Noddy Holder (vocals), Dave Hill (guitar), Jim Lea (bass, violin, backing vocals), and Don Powell (drums).

Text taken from disc:

Slade

All rights Polydor

This is a sneaky earful of a track from the next Slade album 'Slayed' (Polydor 2383 163) given to you by Music Scene November issue 1972

33+ RPM

The whole world's going crazy

Composed by Holder, published by Barn Music, produced by Chas Chandler for Barn Productions -

For better reproduction quality, get the album!

Any copying of this record is prohibited

SFI 122A

Made in England by Sound for Industry -

B-Side:

“Bonnie Charlie” (N/A, Mike Hugg, David Heath-Hadfield)

A folk-pop track by Mike Hugg (of Manfred Mann), offering a melodic contrast to Slade’s glam energy. Produced by EMI, it added variety to the flexi disc’s appeal.

33+ rpm

Text taken from disc:

This is a sample track from Mike Hugg's Polydor album 2383 140 'Somewhere' given to you by Music Scene November issue 1972.

Bonnie Charlie

Composed by Mike Hugg, published by Hugg Music, produced by David Heath-Hadfield.

For better reproduction, get the album!

Polydor

SFI 122B

Made in England by Sound for Industry

All rights and copying of this record prohibited

Note: Slade’s 1972 singles included “Mama Weer All Crazee Now” (No. 1, August 26, 1972, 14 weeks) and “Gudbuy T’Jane” (No. 2, November 18, 1972, 10 weeks), but as a free flexi disc, “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazee” wasn’t eligible for charts.

Have you unearthed this Slade flexi in your collection? Does “The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazee” get you jumping? Share in the comments!