🔘 Still the Same – Single: Feb. 1987

Released: February 2, 1987 (UK)

Label: RCA Records

Catalogue Number: RCA / PB 41173

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

A polished, melodic Slade single — the lead release from their final studio album, You Boyz Make Big Noize.

Issued at the start of 1987, Still the Same showcased the band’s matured songwriting and radio‑friendly production, marking the beginning of their last major album campaign.

🔘 Overview

Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, Still the Same blended Slade’s trademark harmonies with a smoother, mid‑’80s pop‑rock sheen. Produced by John Punter, the track signalled the band’s attempt to re‑enter the UK charts with a refined, contemporary sound. Although it peaked at No. 73 and spent four weeks in the Top 100, the single remains a key moment in Slade’s late‑era catalogue, representing their final push for mainstream visibility before their 1991 resurgence.

🔘 Track List (Common Configurations)

7" Vinyl — PB 41173

A. Still the Same

B. Gotta Go Home

12" Vinyl — PT 41174

A. Still the Same (Extended Version)

B1. Gotta Go Home

B2. Still the Same (7" Version)

Written by: Noddy Holder, Jim Lea

Produced by: John Punter

🔘 Release Details

Label: RCA Records

Formats: 7" Vinyl / 12" Vinyl

Country: UK

Year: 1987

Notes:

- Lead single from You Boyz Make Big Noize

- Produced by John Punter

- Issued in standard picture sleeve

- 12" includes extended version

🔘 Variants (Discogs‑Verified)

Variant 1

UK – RCA – PB 41173 (1987)

Format: 7" Vinyl

Variant 2

UK – RCA – PT 41174 (1987)

Format: 12" Vinyl

🔘 Chart Data (BBC / Official Charts Company)

Peak Position: UK — No. 73

Weeks on Chart: 4

Chart Run (Official Charts):

08 Feb 1987 — No. 73

15 Feb 1987 — No. 82

22 Feb 1987 — No. 94

01 Mar 1987 — No. 98

🔘 Context & Notes

Recording Notes

Punter’s production emphasised clarity, layered vocals, and a polished rhythmic foundation, aligning Slade with mid‑’80s pop‑rock trends.

Collector Notes

12" extended versions are the most sought after. Clean 7" sleeves remain desirable due to the single’s significance as the final‑album lead release.

Legacy

A reflective, melodic Slade single — marking the beginning of the band’s last studio era and showcasing their adaptability in the changing musical landscape.

🔘 Related Material

Previous Single

Do You Believe in Miracles (1985)

Next Single

We Won’t Give In (1987)

🔘 Discography (Selected, Chronological)

Still the Same — 1987

We Won’t Give In — 1987

You Boyz Make Big Noize — 1987

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

Feb. 2, 1987 — UK single released

Feb.–Mar. 1987 — Peaks at UK No. 73, four‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A polished late‑era Slade anthem — heartfelt, melodic, and quietly defiant.

🔘 Sources

RCA Records

Discogs

Official Charts Company

Slade archival documentation