# Slade: Xmas Ear Bender Single UK (1980)

A Cheapskate Christmas Party Cracker

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 28, 1980, on Cheapskate Records (catalogue: CHEAP 11 / LYN 9116 / LYN 9117), Slade’s *Xmas Ear Bender* was their festive party assault. Featuring the Reading Choir on “Merry Xmas Everybody,” a wild “Okey Cokey,” and a live “Get Down And Get With It” (mixed by Mike Robinson & Slade), this three-track holiday romp — pressed by Lyntone with solid and knockout centres — peaked at No. 70 on the Official Singles Chart. Lacquer cut by Porky, plated by Max. A raucous Slade Christmas classic.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: Cheapskate Records.

Formats: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (solid centre / knockout centre).

Full Track Listing

Side A

1. Merry Xmas Everybody (with The Reading Choir) – Written-By: Lea, Holder

2. Okey Cokey – Producer: Slade – Written-By: Jimmy Kennedy

Side B

Get Down And Get With It (Live) – Mixed By: Mike Robinson, Slade – Written-By: B. Marchand

Production and Context

“Merry Xmas Everybody” with The Reading Choir. “Okey Cokey” produced by Slade. “Get Down And Get With It” live, mixed by Mike Robinson & Slade. A Cheapskate Christmas party single.

Official Singles Chart Data

Peak position: 70

Legacy and Collectibility

"Xmas Ear Bender" is Slade’s chaotic Christmas party single — “Merry Xmas Everybody” with choir, “Okey Cokey,” and live “Get Down.” Original Cheapskate pressings (solid/knockout centre) fetch £10–£30 on eBay/Discogs. Verify catalogue CHEAP 11.

Streams available via Merry Xmas Everybody EP

This single is a must-have for Slade Christmas collectors.

Do you have Xmas Ear Bender in your vinyl stack? Are you ready to Okey Cokey? 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