Let's Call It Quits (song)

"Let's Call It Quits"
Single by Slade
from the album Nobody's Fools
B-side When The Chips Are Down
Released 30 January 1976
Format 7" Single
Genre Glam rock, blues rock
Length 3:30
Label Polydor Records
Writer(s) Noddy Holder; Jim Lea
Producer(s) Chas Chandler
Slade singles chronology
"In For a Penny"
(1975)		 "Let's Call It Quits"
(1976)		 "Nobody's Fool"
(1976)
Audio sample
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"Let's Call It Quits" is a single from rock band Slade which appeared on the album Nobody's Fools.[1] It was written by lead singer Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea. The single was released in 1976 and like the previous single, it peaked at #11 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart.[2]

Background

The single was Slade's last to chart in the top #20 region for five years.[2] Usual loyal countries such as Netherlands, Austria and Germany did not have the single enter the top 100, again like the previous single.[3] Slade's popularity was further declining, particularly because the band were living and touring in America, trying to crack the market there.

For the September–December 1986 Slade fan club magazine, an interview with Jim Lea saw him recall the court case against "Let's Call It Quits" where it was found the song had similarities to Allen Toussaint's penned 1973 track "Brickyard Blues". Lea stated "We had a court case taken against us once for 'Let's Call It Quits' because it sounded like a song called 'Brickyard Blues', a song that I had never heard before or since. We settled it out of court and agreed to give them 50%."

The track was performed by Frank Skinner on his TV show live during the 1990s. Noddy Holder and Katy Hill were backing vocalists.[4]

Chris Ingham of Rock Backpages wrote "Let's Call It Quits proves that guitarist Dave Hill had the widest finger-driven vibrato in the history of rock guitar."

Promotion

A promotional video was created for the single whilst the band returned from touring in America to perform the song on the UK shows Supersonic and Jim'll Fix It. Reportedly, the song was also performed on an unknown German TV show.[5]

Music video

A promotional music video was made for this single of the group performing the song on a black and white chequered floor, surrounded by gigantic mirrors, giving some interesting camera effects. Vocalist/co-writer Noddy Holder wore his American cop hat and 'Dirty Old Men...' T-shirt, guitarist Dave Hill had on his studded and rhinestoned dungarees, and a full length coat. Manager/producer Chas Chandler was disappointed with the video, just like the video for the band's 1975 single "Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam)".[6][7]

Track listing

7" Single
  1. "Let's Call It Quits" - 3:30
  2. "When the Chips are Down" - 4:16

Critical reception

Upon release, Record Mirror magazine gave the single a thumbs up, symbolising a hit. The magazine wrote "One of Slade's best. A slow, heavy rocker with rude words that are just about oblique enough to get by on any radio play and some deliciously lascivious guitar, the whole beautifully produced by Chas Chandler."[8]

Chart performance

Chart (1976) Peak
position		 Total
weeks
UK Singles Chart[2] 11 7

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Slade - Nobody's Fools at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  2. 1 2 3 "SLADE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2016-10-11.
  3. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Slade - Let's Call It Quits". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  4. ↑ "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  5. ↑ "SLADE @ www.slayed.co.uk". Crazeeworld.plus.com. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ Slade International Fan Club newsletter June - July - August 1986
  8. ↑ Record Mirror magazine 31 January 1976
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