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🔘 Pretend – Single: Aug. 1981

  • Writer: Alvin Stardust
    Alvin Stardust
  • Aug 21, 1981
  • 2 min read

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


🔘 Sources

Stiff Records

Official Charts Company

Discogs

Contemporary music‑press documentation

Alvin Stardust archival references

 
 
 

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