RCA and Carrere Singles 1977-80

Slow Talking Boy

Yes I remember your face from last year,

And your car, how it shines.

Unfortunately, he’s not here with me.

I would say where he is if I could.

Is it concerning the money he lent?

He was always flat broke.

Indubitably his sister can say if only you knew where to find her.

Chorus

That slow talking boy, he don’t work here no more

He go for a job in the city.

I wish I could say that he’ll come to some good,

But I know he won’t,

It’s a pity.

Yes I remember your face from last year,

And your car, how it shines.

Unfortunately, he’s not here with me.

I would say where he is if I could.

Chorus (repeat)

Written by Kongos/Leroy (Tapestry Music Ltd)

Released April 1977 on RCA - PB5024

B-side: Let Me Out

Mud’s first single after signing with RCA records. A great song but it failed to make the top 30 despite a lot of airplay and promotion

Just Try (A Little Tenderness)

Darlin’ believe me,

I told you that I love you but you leave me.

Darlin’, darlin.

You’ll never know how much I care.

Its alright tonight

Any way you want me now it turns right.

It’s alright, alright,

And I’ve got all the love to share.

Chorus

Just try a little tenderness,

Just try and time will do the rest.

You know I’ll always be,

Loving you, why can’t you see

Just try a little tenderness,

It’s you and only you know best.

And who’s to reason why,

Oh baby won’t you try.

Darlin’, don’t tease me

You never try to reason why you please me.

Darlin’, oh darlin’.

Help me cos I need you here.

Its alright, tonight,

Come closer can’t you see I need you,

Don’t fight.

It’s alright, alright,

Oh don’t you know I’m waiting here

Chorus

Repeat Chorus to fade

Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell Music)

Released July 1977 on RCA - PB5042

B-side: Gives You The Good Times Now

Mud’s second single for RCA was a flop. The b-side was recorded live and featured “Barrington Talbot Short” on vocals!

Return to the top of this page

Gives You The Good Times Now

We’re offering you a new way of looking ahead

And there’s so much gotta be said

Come on and see it our way.

Make up your mind, there’s another world there to find

So don’t hesitate

You won’t have to wait too long

Chorus

It’s there in view

Look at the good time

Oh so easy

We can show you how.

Just made for you

Now is the right time

We can give you all the good times now.

Picture the fire then see it before your eyes

Don’t it make you realise, you want it it’s yours

Happy to be in the sunshine constantly

But if it’s cloudy or grey

There’s no better way you'll see

Chorus

Everybody knows

How the story goes

Why wait so long

But smiling faces are all yours to share from now on.

Chorus

Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell Music)

Released July 1977 as the b-side of Just Try (A Little Tenderness) on RCA - PB5042

Recorded live and featuring “Barrington Talbot Short” on vocals!

Return to the top of this page

Cut Across Shorty

Now a country boy named Shorty

And a city boy named Dan,

Had to prove who could run the fastest

To win Miss Lucy’s hand.

Now Dan had all the money,

And he also had the looks.

But Shorty must have had something boys that can’t be found in books.

Chorus

“Cut across Shorty, Shorty cut across.”

That’s what Miss Lucy said.

“Cut across Shorty, Shorty cut across.

It’s you I wanna win.”

Now Dan had been in training,

A week before the race.

He’d made up his mind old Shorty,

Would end in second place.

Now Dan with his long legs flying,

Left Shorty far behind.

And Shorty heard him holler out,

“Miss Lucy you’ll soon be mine.”

Chorus

Break

But Shorty wasn’t worried.
He had a smile upon his face.

He knew that he was gonna win,

’Cos Lucy had fixed the race.

And just like that old story ’bout the turtle and the hare,

When Dan crossed over the finishing line,

He found Shorty waiting there.

Repeat Chorus to end

Written by Wilkin/Walker (Polygram Music Publishing Ltd)

Released March 1978 on RCA - PB5075

B-side: We’ve Gotta Know

Download Music (Adobe Acrobat document)

Previously a hit for Eddie Cochran. Although Mud’s version charted and did get a fair amount of airplay, it failed to be a hit. It’s a great fun record non-the-less and gave the band one of their last mainstream TV appearances.

Return to the top of this page

We’ve Gotta Know

Well it’s maybe yes,

Maybe no.

Are you gonna tell us before we go?

Maybe, all you keep sayin’ is maybe.

Is it stop, is go?

Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.

You maybe right

Maybe wrong.

But you keep singing that same old song.

Maybe, all you keep sayin’ is maybe.

Is it stop, is go?

Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.

Secrets that you keep.

Nights we’re losing sleep

If you don’t lead the way

Seems we’re gonna pay the price one day.

It’s easy come,

Easy go.

Bags in hand and another show.

We’re heading

Who knows where we’re heading

Is it stop, is it go

Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,

Won’t you be a man,

Take a stand.

Velvet glove and a master plan.

We’re ready

Can’t you see we’re ready,

Is it stop, is it go?

Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,

We gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,

We gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,

Written by Rob Davis and Ray Stiles (Evolution Music/Island Music Ltd)

Lead vocals by Ray Stiles

Released March 1978 as the b-side of Cut Across Shorty (RCA PB5075)

One of Ray Stiles’ few lead vocal opportunities and a great number.

Drift Away

Day after day I’m more confused

But I look for the light through the pouring rain

You know it’s a game that I hate to loose.
I’m feeling the strain.

Ain’t it a shame.

Chorus

Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,

I wanna get lost in your rock ’n’ roll and drift away.

Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,

I wanna get lost in your rock ’n’ roll and drift away.

Beginning to think that I’m wasting time.

And I don’t understand the things I do.

The world outside looks so unkind

Now it’s up to you to carry me through.

Chorus

When my mind is free you know a melody can move me

And when I’m feelin’ blue, the guitar’s coming through to sooth me.

Thank’s for the joy that you’ve given me.

I want you to know what I feel in the song.

A rhythm and a rhyme and a harmony.

To help me along,

You’re making me strong.

Repeat Chorus to fade

Written by Williams (Rondor Music Ltd)

Released May 1978 on RCA - PB5096

B-side: Let Me Get (Close To You)

An old Dobi Gray hit. Taken from the album “Mud Rock On”. A great version but it was their fourth consecutive single to fail to chart

Return to the top of this page

Let Me Get (Close To You)

Let me get, let me get close to you.

Let me know, let me know what to do.

You made me believe you’d be true.

But I’m blue.

Let me get, let me get close to you.

You hear me calling but you never answer me.

(You hear me calling, you hear me calling)

So quit your stalling honey, come on back and see.

(Quit your stallin’, quit your stallin’)

Just what you’ve done,

It’s really such a shame.

Our love is dying,

You’re the one to blame

Let me get, let me get close to you.

(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).

Let me know, let me know what to do.

(Let me know just what to do)

You made me believe you'd be true.

But I'm blue.

Let me get, let me get close to you.

Break

I’m thinking of you sugar,

You’re always on my mind.

(I’m thinking of you, I’m thinking of you)

How come you’re changing and you say I’m not your kind

(How come you’re changing, how come you’re changing)

Took what you wanted and left me for a clown.

You had your way and turned me upside down.

Let me get, let me get close to you.

(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).

Let me know, let me know what to do.

(Let me know just what to do)

You made me believe you'd be true.

But I'm blue.

Let me get, let me get close to you.

Let me get, let me get.

(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).

Let me get, let me get.

(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).

Let me get, Let me get close to you.

Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell and Co)

Released May 1978 as the b-side of Drift Away (RCA - PB5096)

Taken from the album “Mud Rock On”.

Return to the top of this page

Why do Fools Fall in Love/Book of Love

Why do fools fall in love?

Why do birds sing so gay?

Lovers await the break of day.

Why do they fall in love?

Why does the rain fall from up above?

Why do fools fall in love?

Why do they fall in love?

Why does my heart skip this crazy beat?

For I know it must taste defeat.

Tell me why, why oh why, why do they fall in love?

Why does my heart skip this crazy beat?

Why do they fall in love?

I wonder who wrote the Book of Love.

Tell me, tell me, tell me, who wrote the book of love;

I’ve got to know the answer,

Was it someone from above?

I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.

I really love you darlin’, baby you know I do.

I’ve got to see this book of love,

Find out what is true.

I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.

Chapter One says to love her, love her with all your heart.

Chapter Two you tell her, you’re never ever, never ever gonna part.

Chapter Three you’ll remember the feeling of romance.

Chapter Four you break up, but you’ll give her one more chance.

I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.

Baby, baby, baby, I love you yes I do.

It says so in this book of love -

ours is the one that’s true.

I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.

Why Do Fools Fall In Love written by Lymon and Goldner (Chappell Music Ltd)

Book Of Love written by David, Malone and Patrick (Francis Day & Hunter Ltd)

Released November 1978 on RCA - PB5129

B-side: Run, Don’t Walk

The first Mud single that did not feature Les on solo lead vocals. Taken from the band’s last album “As You Like It”.

Return to the top of this page

You’ll Like It

Female voice: “Ah, look ’os ’ere”

Will you come on over to my house?

Don’t wanna play no cat and mouse.

Naughty girl don’t lead me on.

Let’s have some fun.

“’ere, what d’ya take me for?”

Sit with me on the sofa.

We will only go so far.

Won’t you smile? I know you could.

So far, so good.

Chorus:

You’ll like it.

You’ll like it.

You’ll like it.

I like it too. (repeat)

Naughty lady, you sexy thing.

“Are you gonna buy me a wedding ring?”

Everything of mine is yours.

(lascivious laugh) “Here - get off”

Don’t kick up a rumpus or make a fuss.

You and me, just the two of us.

Help me make it through the night.

Hold on - hold on tight.

“Do me a favour!”

Repeat chorus to fade (with female voice over)

Written by Ray Styles and Rob Davis (April Music/Glamlea Ltd/Keyro Ltd)

Released 1979 on RCA - PB5215

B-side: Can’t Stop

This turned out to be Mud’s last single. Taken from the album “As You Like It”.

Return to the top of this page

Can’t Stop

I know you know the way I feel about you, baby.

I guess it shows in everything I do.

I want the world to see,

It ain’t no passing thing.

It’s how I wanna be

Must be the love you bring.

Chorus

And I can’t stop, thinking about you.

Can’t stop (oh baby), doing without you

(Oh baby) you gotta hold on me.

I used to be the one to doubt it ever happened

Then you came and that broke all the rules

When I look in your eyes

It makes me realise

I’m doing what I should.

It’s never been so good.

Chorus

No matter what they say.

You can’t hide love away.

Chorus

Repeat Chorus and fade.

Released 1979 as the b-side of You’ll Like It (RCA - PB5215)

Return to the top of this page

Drop Everything and Run

Jimmy was a winner back in his home town.

The people came to see him play from miles around.

Then one morning he woke up and looked himself in the face.

He said “I’m going round in circles. I ain’t going no place.

This working for peanuts is getting way out of hand.

I’ve had about as much of it as I can stand”

Stop, drop everything and run.

Stop, drop everything and run.

I want fame, fortune, my name up in lights.

Goodbye small time, from tonight.

Stop, drop everything and run.

Jimmy gave his notice, made it down to the smoke.

Well it wasn’t too much later he was hungry and broke.

He was paying out good money for a hole in the wall.

Gigging every night and earning nothing at all.

He said, “The world that I was dreaming of was way out of reach.

I’d rather be a bigger pebble on a smaller beach.”

Stop, drop everything and run.

Stop, drop everything and run.

I wanted fame, fortune, my name up in lights.

It’s “Hello home town” from tonight.

Stop, drop everything and run.

Back amongst his friends he had to swallow his pride.

He thought the grass was greener on the other side.

Stop, drop everything and run.

Stop, drop everything and run.

I want fame, fortune, my name up in lights.

Goodbye small time, from tonight.

Stop, drop everything and run.

Written by Foster, Wingfield and Vernon (Rocket Music/Major Severn/Island Music/Handle Music)

Released 1978 on Carrer - CAR117

B-side: Taking The Easy Way Out

Recorded after Les’ departure and featuring new vocalist Margo Henderson. A return to the rock roots, but failed to chart.

Return to the top of this page

Taking The Easy Way Out

Could it be that you could never find time

For love and romance.

Or were you hanging out and sitting on the side lines

Afraid to take a chance.

I should have know your reputation

And your attitude.

I should have seen your limitations

Now I’m telling you.

Chorus

You’re just taking the easy way out

Taking the easy way out.

I got your telegram

You couldn’t give a damn

Taking the easy way out

You’re just taking the easy way out

Well I know that every time you used to hold me

I’d feel a little high

It’s a drag to think that you could never hold

It’s not as if you're shy

I should have know your reputation

And your attitude

I should have seen your limitations

Now I'm telling you

Chorus

Break

Chorus - vamp to fade

Written by Rob Davis and Ray Stiles

Released 1978 as the b-side of Drop Everything And Run (Carrer - CAR117)

Return to the top of this page

© 2007 mudrock.org.uk