mott the hoople Archives - Vinyl From The Vault

Mott the Hoople “All the Young Dudes”

sfilzen — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 18:30:18 +0000

Mott the Hoople “All the Young Dudes” released 50 years ago today, September 8th, 1972. Their 5th studio LP, All the Young Dudes made Mott glam rock superstars. The record was produced and arranged by David Bowie; he also sang lead vocals on “Soft Ground” and most famously wrote the title track “All the Young Dudes.” That single, released a couple of months before the album, hit #3 in the UK and made a respectable showing the US, going to #37; it’s been described as the glam rock “ultimate ’70s glittered” anthem. Other notable contributors to All the Young Dudes also include Mick Ronson, who played strings and brass plus arranged “Sea Diver” and rock photographer Mick Rock who designed the LP cover. Besides the title track, my favorite song is Mott’s cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” – it was released as a single in the North American market and parts of Europe but not the UK. I also like “One of the Boys,” another 70’s anthemic track, which was originally the b-side to “All the Young Dudes” and then released as a single in North America.

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Mott the Hoople “Mott”

sfilzen — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 15:08:41 +0000

Mott the Hoople “Mott” 1973. US version. Since I’ve been on a 70s rock kick all week (which is fitting, I guess, since it’s my birthday this weekend and I was born in the 70′s), I’m spinning Mott which was released on this date, July 20th. It was the band’s sixth album, reaching #7 on the UK album charts and #35 in the US; Rolling Stone ranked it at #366 in their 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all-time. The lead single “All the Way From Memphis,” a song about the weariness of the rock-n-roll life, losing guitars, having no money or respect, made it to #10 on the UK singles charts and although it received decent radio play in the US, it did not chart. (As a nod to yesterday’s post about Brian May: May covered “All the Way From Memphis” in 1998 on Another World).

Mott is grand glam 70′s rock, a concept album with songs that “are a set of road tales fraught with exhaustion, disillusionment, and dashed dreams, all told with a wry sense of humor…a wry commentary on rock & roll itself, which, as Ian Hunter notes, is a ‘loser’s game.’’ (Allmusic) These laments are evident on tracks like “Hymn For the Dudes” and “Ballad of Mott the Hoople.” There is still good ol’ down and dirty rock and roll, though: “Violence,” for instance, has power riffs with sneering vocals and punk worthy lyrics.

I’m a missing link, poolroom stink, I can’t talk
(Well that’s too bad)
What’s going on, something’s wrong, I can’t work
Can’t go to school, the teacher’s a fool, the preacher’s a jerk
(Well that’s such a drag)
Got nothing to do, street-corner blues, and nowhere to walk
Violence, violence
It’s the only thing that’ll make you see sense
(Repeat)
Gotta fight, nothing’s right, livin’ nowhere
(That’s so sad)
Watch out for the gun, snake on the run, hide in my hair
You keep your mouth shut, or you’ll get cut. Haha – I like to scare
(Bet you’re so mad)
I’m a battery louse, a superstar mouse, I don’t care
Get off my back or I’ll attack, ‘n I don’t owe you nothin’ (OK)
Head for your hole, you’re sick and you’re old
‘N I’m here to tell you something
Violence, violence
It’s the only thing that’ll make you see sense

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Mott The Hoople “All The Young Dudes”

sfilzen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 19:18:28 +0000

Mott The Hoople “All The Young Dudes” released on this date, September 8th, 1972. David Bowie produced the album and also wrote the title track, a giant hit that reached #3 in the UK and #37 in the US, that has been described as the “ultimate ‘70s glitterkid anthem.” Bowie’s glam influence can be heard all over the album, from his suggestion of including the cover of Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane” to the saxophone on the swaggering “Sucker” (a song Allmusic describes as “less of a song, more a statement of vile intent, the confessions of your friendly neighborhood sadist”). “One of the Boys” is peacock-rock posturing at its best – it reached #96 in the US (and is weirdly introduced by the sound of an old rotary phone dialing – well, it would have just been “a phone” in ‘72) and “Ready For Love/After Lights” is epic arena-worthy glam rock, which was given new life on Mott The Hoople’s guitarist/vocalist Mick Ralph’s band Bad Company’s debut album.

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