🔘 Tell Me Why – Single: Nov. 1974

A dramatic, velvet‑voiced slice of mid‑’70s glam‑pop, “Tell Me Why” finds Alvin Stardust blending theatrical melancholy with the polished Magnet Records sound that defined his chart‑topping run.

Released on November 15, 1974, “Tell Me Why” arrived as Alvin Stardust’s follow‑up to a string of major UK hits, including “My Coo Ca Choo,” “Jealous Mind,” and “You You You.” Issued by Magnet Records under catalogue number MAG 19, the single continued Stardust’s signature blend of brooding vocals, tight arrangements, and stylish glam‑pop presentation. Backed with “Tell Me Why (Part 2),” the release showcased the darker, more dramatic side of Stardust’s persona while maintaining the commercial appeal that had made him one of the UK’s most recognisable pop figures of the era. The single entered the UK charts in late November 1974, climbing steadily to a Top 40 peak and reinforcing Stardust’s strong chart presence throughout the mid‑’70s.

Label: Magnet Records

Catalogue Number: MAG 19

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre)

Released: November 15, 1974 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Magnet Records – MAG 19 — 1974

A. Tell Me Why

B. Tell Me Why (Part 2)

Written by: Peter Shelley

Produced by: Peter Shelley

Recorded: 1974

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released November 15, 1974

• A-side: Dramatic glam‑pop ballad

• B-side: Continuation of the A‑side theme

• Chart debut: Late November 1974

• Performed on: UK pop‑TV rotation

• Recorded at: 1974 Magnet Records sessions

🔘 The Story

By late 1974, Alvin Stardust had become one of the defining figures of British glam‑pop. His leather‑clad image, brooding stage presence, and distinctive vocal delivery set him apart from the more flamboyant acts of the era. “Tell Me Why” continued his collaboration with producer and songwriter Peter Shelley, the creative force behind Magnet Records’ biggest successes.

The single leaned into Stardust’s dramatic strengths: a slow‑burning melody, emotional phrasing, and a polished arrangement that balanced glam stylings with a more mature pop sensibility. The B‑side, “Tell Me Why (Part 2),” extended the mood of the A‑side, offering a thematic continuation rather than a contrasting track — a stylistic choice that reinforced the single’s emotional tone.

Commercially, “Tell Me Why” performed respectably, entering the UK charts in late November and maintaining a presence through the early winter period. While not as explosive as his earlier hits, the single demonstrated Stardust’s consistency and his ability to sustain momentum during the peak of the glam era.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Magnet – MAG 19 — UK — 1974

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — Magnet – MAG 19 — UK — 1974

• Issued in standard Magnet Records company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

38 — November 23, 1974

31 — November 30, 1974

29 — December 7, 1974

31 — December 14, 1974

39 — December 21, 1974

Total Weeks: 5

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Written and produced by Peter Shelley

• B-side: Continuation of the A‑side arrangement

• Sleeve notes: Standard Magnet Records company sleeve

• Historical placement: Part of Stardust’s strong mid‑’70s chart run

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Included on various Magnet-era collections

🔘 Related Material

• “My Coo Ca Choo” (1973)

• “Jealous Mind” (1974)

• “You You You” (1974)

• “Good Love Can Never Die” (1975)

🔘 Discography

You You You — 1974

Tell Me Why — 1974

Good Love Can Never Die — 1975

Sweet Cheatin’ Rita — 1975

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1974 — Recorded for Magnet Records

✦ Nov 15, 1974 — UK single released

✦ Nov 23, 1974 — Enters UK Singles Chart

✦ Dec 7, 1974 — Peaks at No. 29

✦ Dec 21, 1974 — Completes 5‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A moody, velvet‑toned glam ballad — stylish, dramatic, and unmistakably Alvin Stardust at his mid‑’70s peak.

#ReleaseChronicle #AlvinStardust #TellMeWhy #1974 #MagnetRecords #GlamPop

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: Magnet Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

🔘 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.