🔘 Pretend – Single: Aug. 1981

Label: Stiff Records

Catalogue Number: BUY 123

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Released: August 21, 1981 (UK)

A smooth, nostalgic Alvin Stardust crooner — backed with the upbeat rocker Goose Bumps.

Issued on Stiff Records, the single became one of Stardust’s biggest ’80s hits.

🔘 Overview

Pretend was released on August 21, 1981 as a UK 7" single on Stiff Records (BUY 123). A polished, retro‑styled pop ballad delivered with Alvin Stardust’s trademark velvet baritone, the track marked a strong commercial return for the singer during the early ’80s revival of his career.

The B‑side, Goose Bumps, offered a contrasting, lively rock ’n’ roll‑flavoured cut. BUY 123 was issued in a picture sleeve and became a major chart success.

🔘 Track List (Common Configurations)

7" Vinyl — BUY 123

A. Pretend

B. Goose Bumps

Written by: Lew Douglas, Cliff Parman, Frank Lavere (A)

Written by: Alvin Stardust (B)

Produced by: Stiff Records production team

🔘 Release Details

Label: Stiff Records

Formats: 7" Vinyl (Picture Sleeve)

Country: UK

Year: 1981

Notes:

- Major UK hit

- Picture sleeve release

- One of Stardust’s most successful ’80s singles

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified)

Variant 1

UK – Stiff – BUY 123 (1981)

Format: 7" Vinyl (Paper Label, Picture Sleeve)

Variant 2

UK – Stiff – BUY 123 (1981)

Format: 7" Vinyl (Injection‑moulded label)

🔘 Chart Data (BBC / Official Charts Company)

Peak Position: UK — No. 4

Weeks on Chart: 10

Chart Run (Official Charts):

Peaked at No. 4 on September 5, 1981; remained in Top 75 for ten weeks.

International

Minor chart activity in select European markets.

🔘 Context & Notes

Recording Notes

A warm, polished production — Stardust’s rich vocal tone paired with a smooth, early‑’80s pop arrangement.

Collector Notes

Picture‑sleeve paper‑label copies are the most desirable. Injection‑moulded variants are less common.

Legacy

A standout hit of Alvin Stardust’s ’80s resurgence — nostalgic, charming, and widely remembered.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Single

Sweet Cheatin’ Rita (1981)

Next Single

I Won’t Run Away (1982)

🔘 Discography (Selected, Chronological)

Pretend — 1981

Goose Bumps — 1981

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

Aug. 21, 1981 — UK single released

Sep. 5, 1981 — Peaks at UK No. 4

🔘 Glam Flashback

Alvin Stardust croons his way back into the charts — smooth, stylish, and unmistakably him.

🔘 Tags

#AlvinStardust #Pretend #1981 #StiffRecords #UKCharts #RockNRollRevival #VinylArchive #SingleChronicle

🔘 Sources

Stiff Records

Official Charts Company

Discogs

Contemporary music‑press documentation

Alvin Stardust archival references