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🔘 Lonely This Christmas – Single: Nov. 1974

  • Writer: Mud
    Mud
  • Nov 22, 1974
  • 4 min read

Released in the UK on November 22, 1974, Mud’s “Lonely This Christmas,” backed with “I Can’t Stand It,” appeared as a 7-inch vinyl single on RAK Records (RAK 187). Written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, and produced by the Chinnichap team, the track delivered a tongue‑in‑cheek Elvis‑styled ballad wrapped in glam‑era sentimentality. Its theatrical melancholy, spoken-word break, and slow-burning arrangement resonated strongly with the public, sending the single to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks across Christmas and New Year. The B-side, written by Mount, Gray, Stiles, and Davis, offered a contrasting glam-rock groove. Issued in solid centre, push‑out centre, and promotional variants, the single remains one of the defining festive hits of the 1970s.


Label: RAK Records

Catalogue Number: RAK 187

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre / Push‑Out Centre; Promo & Commercial)

Released: November 22, 1974 (UK)


🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — RAK Records – RAK 187 — 1974

A. Lonely This Christmas

Written by: Nicky Chinn, Mike Chapman

Produced by: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn

B. I Can’t Stand It

Written by: Mount, Gray, Stiles, Davis

Produced by: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn

Recorded at: Chinnichap Studios, 1974

Published by: Chinnichap Publishing / Rak Publishing


🔘 Key Highlights

• Released November 22, 1974

• A-side: Elvis‑styled glam Christmas ballad

• B-side: Up-tempo glam-rock track

• UK peak: No. 1

• Weeks at No. 1: 4

• Chart run: 9 weeks

• Issued in solid centre, push‑out centre, and promo variants


🔘 The Story

By late 1974, Mud were at the height of their commercial success, and “Lonely This Christmas” showcased their ability to blend humour, pastiche, and emotional drama into a single, unforgettable performance. Written by Chinn and Chapman, the track leaned heavily into an Elvis Presley–inspired vocal delivery, complete with a spoken-word middle section that amplified its theatrical melancholy. Its slow tempo, lush arrangement, and festive heartbreak narrative made it an instant seasonal classic.


The B-side, “I Can’t Stand It,” written by Mount, Gray, Stiles, and Davis, provided a more traditional glam-rock counterpoint, driven by rhythm guitar and upbeat energy. Together, the two tracks highlighted Mud’s versatility and their ability to balance parody with genuine musical craftsmanship.


Commercially, the single was a triumph. Entering the UK chart in late November, it climbed steadily to No. 1, where it remained for four consecutive weeks over Christmas and New Year — securing its place among the most iconic festive hits of the decade. The single was issued in multiple UK variants, including solid and push‑out centre pressings, making it a staple for collectors of glam-era Christmas releases.


Today, “Lonely This Christmas” stands as one of Mud’s most enduring recordings — a festive glam tearjerker that continues to define the sound of a 1970s British Christmas.


🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid Centre — RAK – RAK 187 — UK — 1974

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Push‑Out Centre — RAK – RAK 187 — UK — 1974

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — RAK – RAK 187 — UK — 1974


🔘 Chart Performance


UK — Official Singles Chart

1 — Peak Position

Weeks at No. 1: 4

Chart Run: 9 Weeks Total


🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Chinnichap‑written festive ballad

• B-side: Non‑album glam-rock track

• Production: Mike Chapman & Nicky Chinn

• Sleeve: Standard RAK company sleeve (UK)

• Historical placement: One of the biggest Christmas hits of the 1970s


🔘 Related Material

• “Tiger Feet” (1974)

• “The Cat Crept In” (1974)

• “Rocket” (1974)

• “Oh Boy” (1975)


🔘 Discography

Tiger Feet — 1974

Lonely This Christmas — 1974

The Secrets That You Keep — 1975

Oh Boy — 1975


🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1974 — Recorded during Chinnichap sessions

✦ Nov 22, 1974 — UK single released

✦ Dec 1974 — Reaches No. 1

✦ Dec 1974 – Jan 1975 — Holds No. 1 for 4 weeks


🔘 Glam Flashback

A festive glam heartbreaker — Mud channel Elvis, Chinnichap polish the drama, and the result becomes one of the most iconic Christmas singles of the 1970s.


🔘 Hashtags


🔘 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.








Legacy and Collectibility

“Lonely This Christmas” is Mud’s iconic glam Xmas No. 1. Verify catalogue RAK 187. Streams on Spotify preserve the festive tearjerker.

This single is a must-have for glam and Christmas collectors.


Do you have Lonely This Christmas in your vinyl stack? Does it make you cry every December? Share in the comments!


Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube




 
 
 

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