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photos by
The other day I was working with Lon (
link below) on the
vinyl LP collection and he pulled out my old recording of
All the Young Dudes, by
Mott the Hoople; the song began to play in my mind and it triggered many wonderful memories of that time in my life.
I have always loved the title track,
All the Young Dudes, which was released as a single prior to the album and charted worldwide, becoming the "ultimate '70s glitterkid anthem".
Sweet Jane, a cover of the
Velvet Underground song from their 1970 album
Loaded,
was issued as a single in Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and
the United States, though not in their home market of the UK.
One of
the Boys, originally the B-side of
All the Young Dudes, was also
released in North America and Continental Europe.
detail photo of album back cover by Styrous®

detail photo of album back cover by Styrous®
The original release of the song had to be changed lyrically in
order that it might be played on UK radio and TV. The line in the second
verse: "Wendy's stealing clothes from Marks and Sparks" was a reference
to UK retailer
Marks & Spencer,
also known by that colloquialism. As such, air play of the song in its
original form would have breached broadcasting regulations relating to
advertising in force at the time. The line was replaced with: "Wendy's
stealing clothes from unlocked cars". Today, both versions are freely
aired (
link to lyrics below).
Before moving to the
CBS Records label, the group was with
Island Records in the UK and
Atlantic Records in North America for three years.
Speculation has persisted over the years that, although
All the Young Dudes
was released by CBS/Columbia Records, the group may have recorded
part or all of the album while still under contract to their original
label,
Island Records
– a situation that, if proven true, might give Island ownership rights
to the recordings. Fuel was added to this speculation in 2006 with the
re-release of
Young Dudes in remastered form, including several bonus tracks.





Tracklist:
Side 1:
A1 - Sweet Jane, written by L. Reed* - 4:20
A2 - Momma's Little Jewel, written by Hunter*, Watts* - 4:26
A3 - All The Young Dudes, written by D. Bowie* - 3:31
A4 - Sucker, written by Hunter*, Ralphs*, Watts* - 4:58
A5 - Jerkin' Crocus, written by Hunter* - 4:00
Side 2:
B1 - One Of The Boys, written by Hunter*, Ralphs* - 6:46
B2 - Soft Ground, Lead Vocals – Verden Allen, written by Allen* - 3:16
B3 - Ready For Love/After Lights, Lead Vocals – Mick Ralphs, written by Ralphs* - 6:46
B4 - Sea Diver, Arranged By [Strings & Brass] – Mick Ronson, written by Hunter* - 2:54
Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Olympic Studios
Recorded At – Trident Studios
Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
Phonographic Copyright (p) – CBS Inc.
Mastered At – Customatrix
Credits:
Arranged By – David Bowie, Mott The Hoople
Bass – Overend Watts
Cover [Colour Retouching] – George Underwood
Drums – Buffin
Engineer – Dave Hentschel*, Keith Harwood, Ted Sharp
Saxophone, Producer – David Bowie
Sleeve [Concept], Art Direction – Mick Rock
Vocals, Guitar – Mick Ralphs
Vocals, Organ – Verden Allen
Vocals, Piano – Ian Hunter
Notes:
℗ 1972 CBS, Inc.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Side One label): AL 31750
Matrix / Runout (Side Two label): BL 31750
Label: Columbia – KC 31750
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Santa Maria Pressing
Country: US
Released: Nov 1972
Genre: Rock
Style: Glam, Classic Rock
Viewfinder links: