David Essex: "The Day The Earth Stood Still" Single (1969)

David Essex’s "The Day The Earth Stood Still" backed with "Is It So Strange?", was released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK by Decca Records (catalog number F 12967) on September 26, 1969.

Background and Context: David Essex (born David Albert Cook, July 23, 1947, in Plaistow, London) was an emerging artist in 1969, still years away from his 1970s fame as a glam rock and pop star with hits like "Rock On" (1973) and "Gonna Make You a Star" (1974). In the late 1960s, Essex was transitioning from small acting roles and a stint as a drummer in local bands to pursuing a solo music career. He had been discovered by manager Derek Bowman and was experimenting with various musical styles under Decca Records. The 1969 single "The Day The Earth Stood Still" / "Is It So Strange?" was one of his earliest releases, predating his breakthrough and reflecting a period of artistic exploration. At this time, Essex was relatively unknown, and his early singles were attempts to establish his presence in the competitive UK music scene.

Single Details:

A-side: The Day The Earth Stood Still

Written by Arnold, Martin, Morrow.

A dramatic, orchestral pop song with a science-fiction theme, likely inspired by the 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Produced by Arnold, Martin, Morrow

The song did not chart, reflecting Essex’s limited recognition at the time and the single’s niche appeal.

B-side: Is It So Strange?

Written by Hunter

Produced by Arnold, Martin, Morrow

Release Information:

Released on 7" vinyl by Decca Records UK (F 12967) on September 26, 1969.

Matrix/Runout details are not widely documented, but Decca singles from this period typically featured standard mono pressings with simple labels.

Released in a plain Decca sleeve, as was common for non-charting singles of the era, with no notable picture sleeve.

Critical and Commercial Reception: The single received little critical attention and failed to chart in the UK, typical of Essex’s pre-fame releases. In 1969, he was still building his career, and the single’s lack of success reflects the competitive nature of the UK music scene, dominated by acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and emerging glam precursors. Collector sources like 45cat note its obscurity, with minimal fan discussion. The single is valued today primarily by collectors and fans of Essex’s early work, as it captures a formative stage before his 1970s stardom under CBS Records.

Netherlands - Decca - 1969

Legacy and Context: "The Day The Earth Stood Still" / "Is It So Strange?" is a minor entry in David Essex’s discography, predating his breakthrough with albums like Rock On (1973) and David Essex (1974). It represents his early attempts to find a musical identity, blending pop with theatrical elements. Essex’s career took off after signing with CBS in 1971, with hits like "Lamplight" and "Hold Me Close," and his acting roles in films like That’ll Be the Day (1973) and Stardust (1974) cemented his star status. This 1969 single is rarely referenced in retrospectives but is notable for completists, as it shows Essex’s early songwriting and performance style. It is not widely available digitally, and neither track appears on major compilations, though the A-side is mentioned in discographies on sites like 45cat and Discogs.

Additional Notes:

The single’s release by Decca UK aligns with Essex’s early recordings for the label, including other non-charting singles like "Thigh High" / "De Boom Lay Boom" (1968, Fontana) and "Love Story" / "Cruisin’ Casanova" (1968, Uni).

No music videos or promotional materials are documented, as was typical for minor releases in 1969.

Essex’s shift to CBS and collaboration with producer Jeff Wayne in the 1970s marked his commercial peak, leaving these Decca singles as historical curiosities.

Sources and Verification: Information is drawn from my knowledge of David Essex’s discography and supplemented by web sources, including 45cat, Discogs, and Wikipedia for Essex’s early career details. Collector listings on Discogs confirm the single’s rarity and release details. No direct references to fan reactions or chart data were found, as the single was obscure. If you need further details (e.g., vinyl condition, potential reissues, or fan discussions on X), I can search or elaborate. Let me know if you want more on David Essex, his early singles, or his later glam rock hits!