The Move: When Alice Comes Back to the Farm Single (1970)

The Move: When Alice Comes Back to the Farm Single (1970)

A Proto-Glam Rock Rocker

The Move’s “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” 7-inch vinyl single, was released in the UK on October 9, 1970, on Fly Records (catalogue: BUG 2). Backed with “What?,” this vibrant, proto-glam track, written and produced by Roy Wood, showcased the band’s shift from psychedelia to a heavier rock sound. Recorded as The Move transitioned toward the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the A-side’s rollicking energy and quirky lyrics failed to chart, but it remains a cult favorite.

Housed in a simple Fly Records sleeve, this single captures a pivotal moment in The Move’s eclectic legacy.

Single Overview

A-Side: “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” (3:44)Written by Roy Wood. A raucous, brass-infused rocker with Wood’s distinctive vocals and twangy guitar, blending glam and rock ‘n’ roll with a tongue-in-cheek farmyard narrative. Produced by Wood, it foreshadowed his orchestral experiments with ELO.

B-Side: “What?” (6:30) featured on the UK Release Written by Jeff Lynne. A sprawling, progressive track with Lynne’s intricate guitar work and psychedelic flourishes, hinting at The Move’s evolving sound. Also produced by Wood, it offered a contrasting, experimental vibe.

The Move’s “Kilroy Was Here” track, featured on the B-side of the German single release, on Ariola Records (catalogue: 14 742 AT). This non-album single, paired with “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” as the A-side, showcased the band’s playful psychedelic style during their transition from flower power to proto-glam rock. Written and sung by Roy Wood, the B-side’s quirky ode to the WWII graffiti legend “Kilroy Was Here” captured The Move’s whimsical lyricism and experimental edge. Produced by Wood, the track failed to chart but remains a cult favorite, embodying the band’s late ‘60s eccentricity.

Single Overview

A-Side: “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” (3:44)

Written by Roy Wood. A rollicking proto-glam rocker with brass flourishes and Wood’s multi-tracked vocals, blending folk-rock with orchestral bombast. It marked The Move’s shift toward a heavier sound, hinting at Wood’s future ELO direction.

B-Side: “Kilroy Was Here” (2:44)

Written by Roy Wood. A lighthearted, upbeat pop track celebrating the famous WWII graffiti meme “Kilroy was here,” with Wood’s nasal vocals and jaunty melody evoking a mischievous wanderer’s exploits. Lyrics like “Kilroy was here / Left his name around the place” humorously personify the anonymous doodler as a “clever lad” and “public poet,” blending nostalgia with absurdity. The song’s simple, catchy structure and playful tone reflect The Move’s whimsical phase, recorded amid their post-Shazam evolution.

Release Details:

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

Formats:

7-Inch Vinyl (BUG 2): “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” / “What?.” In a Fly Records company sleeve or promotional sleeve with band imagery.

Notes: ℗ & © 1970 Fly Records. Matrix numbers (e.g., BUG 2 A-1U) confirm authenticity. Released during The Move’s transition to ELO, following Shazam (1970).

Production and Context

Recorded in 1970 at Advision Studios, London, the single was produced by Roy Wood, with contributions from The Move’s lineup: Wood (vocals, guitar, multi-instruments), Jeff Lynne (guitar, vocals), Rick Price (bass), and Bev Bevan (drums). The A-side’s brass and driving rhythm reflected Wood’s genre-blending vision, while the B-side showcased Lynne’s growing influence. Released amid the early ‘70s shift from psychedelia to glam, it followed The Move’s hits like “Blackberry Way” but struggled against contemporaries like T. Rex and Slade.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

The “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” single was a standalone release, not tied to a specific album:

Chart Performance:

UK: Did not chart (Official Singles Chart).

Ireland: Did not chart.

Germany: Did not chart.

Australia: Did not chart.

Netherlands: Did not chart.

Belgium: Did not chart.

New Zealand: Did not chart.

US: Not released, no chart data.

Other Countries: No chart entries in Canada, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, or Japan due to limited distribution.

UK Chart Data:

Entry Date: N/A (failed to chart).

Peak: N/A.

Weeks on Chart: 0.

Note: The Move’s earlier hits like “Blackberry Way” (No. 1, February 1, 1969, 12 weeks), “Curly” (No. 12, August 16, 1969, 10 weeks), and “Brontosaurus” (No. 7, April 4, 1970, 11 weeks) set high expectations, but “When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” marked a commercial dip during their transition to ELO.

Single Chart Performance

“When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” failed to enter the UK Singles Chart or any international charts, reflecting The Move’s declining chart presence as glam and progressive rock took over in 1970.

Legacy and Collectibility

“When Alice Comes Back to the Farm” is a cult classic, praised for its quirky energy and Wood’s innovative production, influencing early glam acts. The B-side “What?” showcases Lynne’s proto-ELO style, appealing to completists.

Have you tracked down this Move rarity in your vinyl collection? Does “Alice” rock your turntable? Share in the comments!