David Essex (September 27, 1974) – "Gonna Make You A Star" b/w "Window" Single: UK
Released on September 27, 1974, "Gonna Make You A Star" was the second single taken from David Essex's self-titled album David Essex. Written by Essex and produced by Jeff Wayne, the song became one of the defining records of his career and established him as one of the UK's biggest pop stars of the mid-1970s
Built around a memorable melody and prominent synthesizer arrangement, the single combined glam rock energy with polished pop production. Its lyrical theme of ambition, fame and stardom resonated strongly with audiences and mirrored Essex's own rapid rise to success.
The record became David Essex's first UK number one single, spending three weeks at the top of the chart during November 1974. The song also achieved significant international success and became one of the signature recordings of the glam rock era.
RECORDING
The song was written by David Essex and produced, arranged, orchestrated and conducted by Jeff Wayne.
Recorded for the album David Essex, the single featured the elaborate production style that characterised the Essex and Wayne partnership throughout the decade. The track also made notable use of synthesizer textures alongside traditional rock instrumentation.
"Window", the B-side, was also written by David Essex and produced by Jeff Wayne.
STYLE & THEMES
"Gonna Make You A Star" combined glam rock and pop rock elements with a polished commercial sound. The song's lyrics focus on dreams of fame, ambition and the promise of success in the entertainment industry.
Its blend of catchy hooks, orchestral production and synthesizer embellishments helped distinguish it from many contemporary chart releases.
TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES
• Gonna Make You A Star — David Essex's breakthrough chart-topper and first UK number one single. The song became one of the best-known recordings of his career.
• Window — A David Essex composition selected as the B-side, offering a contrasting accompaniment to the ambitious and highly commercial A-side.
RELEASE HISTORY
Issued by CBS Records on September 27, 1974, the single was released across Europe, Australia, North America, South Africa and other key international markets.
The UK release reached number one and remained one of the biggest-selling British singles of the year. The record also achieved strong chart positions in Australia, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The song was later included in Essex's stage musical All The Fun Of The Fair and has remained a staple of his
catalogue.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
EUROPE
UK Singles Chart — Peak: 1
Ireland Singles Chart — Peak: 1
Belgium (Flanders) — Peak: 16
Belgium (Wallonia) — Peak: 44
Netherlands Single Top 100 — Peak: 14
West Germany Singles Chart — Peak: 43
PACIFIC
Australia Singles Chart — Peak: 4
AMERICA
USA Billboard Hot 100 — Peak: 105
PERSONNEL
David Essex — vocals, songwriter
Jeff Wayne — producer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor
PRODUCTION
Produced by Jeff Wayne
Arranged by Jeff Wayne
Label: CBS Records
Published by April Music Ltd. / Rock On Music
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
NOTES
• First UK number one single for David Essex.
• Spent three weeks at number one in the UK.
• Taken from the album David Essex.
• Written by David Essex.
• Produced by Jeff Wayne.
• Featured prominent synthesizer arrangements.
• Pressed in the UK by CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton.
• Published by April Music Ltd. and Rock On Music.
• Included in the later stage production All The Fun Of The Fair.
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | UK | S CBS 2492 | September 27, 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | UK | S CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Push-Out Centre |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | UK | S CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Promo |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Australia | BA 222116 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Belgium | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | Columbia | Canada | 3-10039 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | France | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Germany | CBS S 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Germany | CBS S 2492 | 1974 | 7" Promo |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Ireland | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Italy | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Netherlands | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | Portugal | CBS 2492 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | South Africa | SSC 1354 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Voy A Hacer De Ti Una Estrella | CBS | Spain | CBS 2492 | 1975 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Te Convertiré En Una Estrella (Gonna Make You A Star) | Discos CBS | Argentina | 22.723 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | Columbia | USA | 3-10039 | 1974 | 7" Single |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | Columbia | USA | 3-10039 | 1974 | 7" Promo |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | Krajowa Agencja Wydawnicza | Poland | R-0633 | 1975 | 6" Flexi Disc Picture Disc |
David Essex | Gonna Make You A Star | CBS | UK | S CBS 5952 | 1978 | 7" Reissue |
TRACKLIST TABLE
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
7" Single | S CBS 2492 | A. Gonna Make You A Star (3:47) B. Window (4:00) |
7" Promo | S CBS 2492 / 3-10039 | A. Gonna Make You A Star (3:47) B. Window (4:00) |
6" Flexi Disc Picture Disc | R-0633 | A. Gonna Make You A Star |
SOURCES Discogs, 45cat, Wikipedia, Chart Time Machine
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