🔘 It’s Better To Be Cruel Than Be Kind – Single: Apr. 1976

Released in the UK on April 2, 1976, Alvin Stardust’s “It’s Better To Be Cruel Than Be Kind,” backed with “Here I Go Again,” appeared as a 7-inch vinyl single on Magnet Records (MAG 62). Written by Geoff Stephens and Roger Greenaway, and produced by Greenaway with arrangements by John Fiddy, the A-side was taken from Alvin’s 1975 album *Rock with Alvin*, which entered the UK Albums Chart on October 4, 1975, peaking at No. 52 during a brief two‑week run. Despite strong pedigree from its writers and producer, the single failed to chart in the UK. The B-side, co-written by Alvin Stardust and Greenaway, offered a more personal composition, but likewise did not achieve commercial success.

Label: Magnet Records

Catalogue Number: MAG 62

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre; Commercial)

Released: April 2, 1976 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Magnet Records – MAG 62 — 1976

A. It’s Better To Be Cruel Than Be Kind

Written by: G. Stephens, R. Greenaway

Produced by: Roger Greenaway

Arranged by: John Fiddy

B. Here I Go Again

Written by: Alvin Stardust

Produced by: Roger Greenaway, Alvin Stardust

Arranged by: Alvin Stardust

Recorded at: Magnet Studios, 1975–76

Published by: Magnet Music / Stephens-Greenaway Music

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released April 2, 1976

• A-side: Single lifted from *Rock with Alvin* (1975)

• B-side: Co-written by Alvin Stardust

• UK chart: Did not chart

• Parent album peaked at No. 52 (two-week run)

• Issued in standard Magnet Records sleeve

🔘 The Story

By 1976, Alvin Stardust was transitioning from his early glam‑rock persona into a smoother pop‑rock direction. “It’s Better To Be Cruel Than Be Kind,” penned by hitmakers Geoff Stephens and Roger Greenaway, reflected this shift with polished production and orchestral touches arranged by John Fiddy. The track’s inclusion on *Rock with Alvin* positioned it as a potential single, though its release came several months after the album’s modest chart performance.

The B-side, “Here I Go Again,” co-written and arranged by Alvin himself, offered a more personal creative statement, blending his trademark vocal style with Greenaway’s pop sensibility.

Despite strong industry credentials, the single failed to make an impact on the UK Singles Chart — a rare miss during a period when Alvin was still a familiar name on British television and radio. Today, the release stands as a lesser-known entry in his mid‑’70s catalogue, valued by collectors for its Magnet-era production and its connection to *Rock with Alvin*.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid Centre — Magnet – MAG 62 — UK — 1976

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — Magnet – MAG 62 — UK — 1976

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

Did not chart

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Lifted from *Rock with Alvin* (1975)

• B-side: Exclusive non-album track

• Production: Roger Greenaway, with arrangements by John Fiddy

• Sleeve: Standard Magnet company sleeve

• Historical placement: A non-charting single during Alvin’s mid‑’70s output

🔘 Related Material

• “My Coo Ca Choo” (1973)

• Rock with Alvin (Album, 1975)

• “Sweet Cheatin’ Rita” (1974)

• “Pretend” (1975)

🔘 Discography

My Coo Ca Choo — 1973

Sweet Cheatin’ Rita — 1974

Pretend — 1975

It’s Better To Be Cruel Than Be Kind — 1976

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1975 — *Rock with Alvin* released, peaks at No. 52

✦ Apr 2, 1976 — UK single released

✦ 1976 — Single fails to chart

🔘 Glam Flashback

A polished mid‑’70s Magnet Records single — smooth, orchestrated pop‑rock from Alvin’s post‑glam period.

🔘 Hashtags

#ReleaseChronicle #AlvinStardust #CruelThanBeKind #1976 #MagnetRecords #GlamPop

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources:

Wikipedia • Discogs • 45cat • BBC / Official Charts Company

🔘 Copyright Notice

All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.