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🔘 Once Bitten Twice Shy – Single: Apr. 1975

  • Writer: Mott The Hoople
    Mott The Hoople
  • Apr 4, 1975
  • 4 min read

A swaggering, sharp‑tongued rock ’n’ roll anthem, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” marked Ian Hunter’s explosive debut as a solo artist following his departure from Mott the Hoople. With its wry lyrics, strutting piano line, and a powerhouse arrangement shaped by Mick Ronson, the single immediately established Hunter’s solo identity—confident, sardonic, and unmistakably his own.


Released on April 4 1975 by CBS (S CBS 3194), the single paired the now‑classic A‑side with “3,000 Miles From Here,” another track from Hunter’s self‑titled debut album. Produced and arranged by Mick Ronson, the single entered the UK chart on May 3 at No. 43, rising steadily to a peak of No. 14 and spending ten weeks on the chart. The song has since become one of Hunter’s signature works, widely covered and featured prominently in the 2017 documentary *Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story*.


Label: CBS

Catalogue Number: S CBS 3194

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre / Knock‑Out Centre variants)

Released: April 4 1975 (UK)


🔘 Track List


UK 7" Single — CBS – S CBS 3194 — 1975


A. Once Bitten, Twice Shy — 3:50

Written by: Ian Hunter


B. 3,000 Miles From Here — 2:46

Written by: Ian Hunter


Produced by: Ian Hunter & Mick Ronson

Arranged by: Mick Ronson

Published by: April Music Ltd. / Whiz Kid Music Inc.

Recorded: January–March 1975, AIR Studios (London)


🔘 Key Highlights

• Released April 4 1975

• A-side: Ian Hunter’s debut solo single

• B-side: Album track from *Ian Hunter*

• UK Chart: Entered at No. 43 (May 3), peaked at No. 14

• Total weeks on chart: 10

• Produced and arranged by Mick Ronson

• Later covered by multiple artists, including Great White


🔘 The Story


After leaving Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter launched his solo career with “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” a witty, piano‑driven rocker that showcased his lyrical bite and Ronson’s dynamic production. The track’s swaggering energy, sardonic humour, and instantly memorable hook made it an immediate standout.


The B‑side, “3,000 Miles From Here,” continued the album’s themes of displacement and reinvention, pairing Hunter’s reflective writing with Ronson’s melodic guitar work.


The single’s strong chart performance—peaking at No. 14 and spending ten weeks in the UK Top 50—cemented Hunter’s viability as a solo artist. Over the years, the song has taken on a life of its own, covered by The Angels, Shaun Cassidy, Eddie & the Hot Rods, and most famously by Great White in 1989.


Its inclusion in *Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story* further highlighted the creative partnership that powered Hunter’s early solo work.


🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — CBS – S CBS 3194 — UK — 1975

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Knock‑Out Centre — CBS – S CBS 3194 — UK — 1975

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — CBS – S CBS 3194 — UK — 1975

• 7", 45 RPM, Single‑sided Acetate — Not On Label — UK — 1975

• Issued in standard CBS company sleeve

🔘 Sleeves

• Standard CBS Records company sleeve (UK vinyl)

• No dedicated picture sleeve issued for this release


🔘 Chart Performance


UK — Official Singles Chart

Peak Position: No. 14

Total Weeks on Chart: 10

First Chart Date: 03/05/1975


Full Chart Run:

43 — 03/05/1975

33 — 10/05/1975

22 — 17/05/1975

18 — 24/05/1975

14 — 31/05/1975 (peak)

17 — 07/06/1975

23 — 14/06/1975

29 — 21/06/1975

41 — 28/06/1975

49 — 05/07/1975


🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: Hunter’s debut solo single and enduring signature track

• B-side: Also featured on the *Ian Hunter* album

• Production: Co‑produced with Mick Ronson

• Sleeve notes: Standard CBS company sleeve

• Historical placement: Hunter’s first major post‑Mott success

• Cultural note: Featured in *Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story*

• Covers: The Angels, Shaun Cassidy, Eddie & the Hot Rods, Great White


🔘 Related Material

• *Ian Hunter* (1975)

• “Who Do You Love?” (1975)

• Mott the Hoople catalogue

• Mick Ronson solo and production work


🔘 Discography

Once Bitten, Twice Shy — 1975

Who Do You Love? — 1975


🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ Jan–Mar 1975 — Recorded at AIR Studios

✦ Apr 4 1975 — UK single released

✦ May 3 1975 — Enters UK chart at No. 43

✦ May 31 1975 — Peaks at No. 14

✦ 2017 — Featured in *Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story*


🔘 Glam Flashback

With Mick Ronson at his side, Ian Hunter stepped out of Mott the Hoople and straight into a solo classic. “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” is swagger, wit, and rock ’n’ roll confidence distilled into three and a half minutes.



🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: CBS Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, AIR Studios documentation, contemporary music‑press archives.


🔘 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.



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