🔘 Nobody’s Fool – Single: Apr. 1976

By 1976, Slade were deep into their US relocation period, having moved across the Atlantic in 1975 in an attempt to finally break the American market after four years of major success in the UK and Europe. Their album *Nobody’s Fools* was shaped heavily by this shift, adopting a smoother, more melodic and radio‑friendly sound compared to their earlier glam‑rock stompers. “Nobody’s Fool,” written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea and produced by Chas Chandler, was originally conceived by Lea as a sprawling twenty‑minute epic inspired by Queen, before being reshaped into a more standard single format. The track also featured additional backing vocals by Tasha Thomas, adding to the more polished feel of the material. A promotional music video was filmed at St John’s Wood Studios in London, directed by Bruce Gowers, and was broadcast only once at the time on Sally James’ LWT show *Saturday Scene*.

Cover art for Slade's 1976 Belgian release "Nobody's Fools," featuring black and white band members with red clown noses and bold red typography.

Released on 9 April 1976 by Polydor (2058 716), the UK 7" single paired “Nobody’s Fool” with “L.A. Jinx” on the B‑side. Although it did not enter the UK Singles Chart, it did reach No. 3 on the UK Star Breakers Chart. Two UK pressing variants were issued, both housed in a standard Polydor company sleeve. In the US and Canada, the single appeared in an edited form with a different B‑side, “When the Chips Are Down,” reflecting the tailored approach to the North American market.

Label: Polydor

Catalogue Number: 2058 716

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Released: 9 April 1976 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Polydor – 2058 716 — 1976

A. Nobody’s Fool – 3:50

Written by: Holder, Lea

B. L.A. Jinx – 3:57

Written by: Holder, Lea

US/Canada 7" Single — 1976

A. Nobody’s Fool (Edit) – 3:15

B. When the Chips Are Down – 4:16

Produced by: Chas Chandler

Recorded: 1976

🔘 Personnel

Slade

• Noddy Holder – lead vocals, guitar

• Dave Hill – lead guitar, backing vocals

• Jim Lea – bass, piano, backing vocals

• Don Powell – drums

Additional Musicians

• Tasha Thomas – backing vocals

Production

• Chas Chandler – producer

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released 9 April 1976

• A-side: “Nobody’s Fool”

• UK B-side: “L.A. Jinx”

• US/Canada B-side: “When the Chips Are Down”

• UK Chart: No UK chart entry

• Reached No. 3 on the UK Star Breakers Chart

🔘 The Story

“Nobody’s Fool” marked a clear shift in Slade’s mid‑70s sound, reflecting their US‑focused ambitions and the broader direction of the *Nobody’s Fools* album. The song’s more controlled arrangement, piano lines, layered guitars and soulful backing vocals from Tasha Thomas demonstrated the band’s move away from their earlier raw glam energy. The B‑side “L.A. Jinx,” also written by Holder and Lea, complemented the release with themes drawn from the band’s experiences in Los Angeles. The single’s promotional video, directed by Bruce Gowers, added a visual element to the campaign but received minimal UK broadcast exposure. Although the single did not chart in the UK, it remains a documented part of Slade’s 1976 output and illustrates the band’s evolving creative direction during this transitional period.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Polydor – 2058 716 — UK — 1976 (small centre)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Polydor – 2058 716 — UK — 1976 (4‑prong centre)

• Issued in standard Polydor company sleeve

🔘 International Variant

• US/Canada 7" Single — Edited A‑side, alternate B‑side

🔘 Sleeves

• Standard Polydor company sleeve (UK)

• No UK picture sleeve issued

🔘 Chart Performance

No UK chart entry

🔘 Context & Notes

• Written by Holder & Lea

• Produced by Chas Chandler

• Includes US/Canada variant with alternate B‑side

• Music video filmed at St John’s Wood Studios, London

🔘 Discography

Let’s Call It Quits — 1976

Nobody’s Fool — 1976

Gypsy Roadhog — 1977

🔘 Glam Flashback

A polished mid‑70s Slade single reflecting the band’s evolving sound, issued in two UK variants and adapted for the US and Canadian markets.

#ReleaseChronicle #Slade #NobodysFool #1976 #Polydor

🔘 Sources

Discogs, 45cat, Wikipedia, BBC Charts

🔘 Copyright Notice

All 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.