Roxy Music: "Take a Chance with Me" Single (1982)

Roxy Music
Sep 16, 1982
2 min read

Updated: Sep 22

Roxy Music’s "Take a Chance with Me" backed with "The Main Thing", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by E.G. Records (catalog number EGO 8) on September 17, 1982.

Chart Performance: "Take a Chance with Me" peaked at #26 in the UK, a moderate hit compared to Avalon’s earlier singles. It did not chart significantly in the US, where Roxy Music’s popularity was more niche.

Release Details:

Artist: Roxy Music

Title: Take a Chance with Me / The Main Thing (Remix)

Label: EG (distributed by Polydor in the UK)

Catalogue Number: ROXY 5

Release Date: 17 September 1982

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Country: UK

Cultural Significance: The single reflects Roxy Music’s final polished phase, with Avalon’s sophisticated production appealing to a broad audience. "Take a Chance with Me" is a fan favorite for its catchy melody and Ferry’s emotive delivery, while "The Main Thing" showcases the band’s ability to blend rock with danceable grooves.

Background:

Roxy Music, formed in 1970 by Bryan Ferry (vocals, keyboards), Phil Manzanera (guitar), Andy Mackay (saxophone, oboe), and others, is an influential English art rock band known for blending glam, pop, and avant-garde elements. By 1982, the band was in its final phase before their initial breakup, having evolved from their experimental early sound to a polished, romantic pop-rock style with their eighth album, Avalon (1982).

Context in 1982:

Avalon, released in May 1982, was Roxy Music’s most commercially successful album, reaching #1 in the UK and showcasing a lush, sophisticated sound. The band was at its peak, but tensions and Ferry’s solo ambitions led to their disbandment after the 1983 tour. Take a Chance with Me was the third single from Avalon, following More Than This and Avalon.

Tracklisting

A-Side:

"Take a Chance with Me"Written by Bryan Ferry and Phil Manzanera.

Produced by Rhett Davies and Roxy Music.

A romantic, upbeat track from Avalon, featuring Ferry’s crooning vocals and a polished pop-rock arrangement with atmospheric synths and Manzanera’s guitar flourishes.

Released as a single to capitalize on Avalon’s success, it reached #26 on the UK Singles Chart.

B-Side:

"The Main Thing (Remix)"Written by Bryan Ferry.

Produced by Rhett Davies and Roxy Music; remixed for the single release (details on the remix are sparse, but it likely emphasizes danceable elements, as was common for 1980s remixes).

An album track from Avalon, known for its driving rhythm and funky bassline, showcasing the band’s tighter, groove-oriented sound in their later years.

Recording:

Both tracks originate from the Avalon sessions, recorded at Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas, and Power Station, New York, in 1981–1982.

The band lineup included Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and session musicians like Neil Hubbard (guitar), Alan Spenner (bass), and Andy Newmark (drums).