🔘 The Day The Earth Stood Still – Single: Sep. 1969

In the autumn of 1969, a young David Essex released his second solo single. Still several years away from his major stardom in the 1970s, he delivered “The Day The Earth Stood Still” — a dramatic, upbeat pop-rock track with a strong melodic hook and a sci-fi inspired title.

Released on September 26, 1969, the single appeared on Decca Records under catalogue number F 12967. Backed with “Is It So Strange?”, this 7-inch release captured Essex during his early recording career, before he became a household name with hits like “Rock On” and “Gonna Make You a Star”.

Label: Decca Records

Catalogue Number: F 12967

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Push-Out/Solid Centre)

Released: September 26, 1969 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — Decca – F 12967 — 1969

A. The Day The Earth Stood Still

B. Is It So Strange?

Written by:

- The Day The Earth Stood Still: David Essex

- Is It So Strange?: David Essex

Produced by:

Recorded: 1969

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released September 26, 1969

• Early solo single from David Essex, long before his 1970s stardom

• Dramatic pop-rock track with a sci-fi themed title

• Did not chart in the UK

🔘 The Story

Before finding massive success in the glam and pop scenes of the mid-1970s, David Essex was recording as a young solo artist. “The Day The Earth Stood Still” was a lively, melodic number that showed his early songwriting talent and energetic vocal style. The track’s title nodded to classic science fiction, giving it a slightly theatrical edge.

The B-side “Is It So Strange?” offered a more introspective contrast. Although the single did not achieve commercial success at the time, it remains a rare and interesting artefact from the very beginning of Essex’s long recording career.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Push-Out Centre — Decca – F 12967 — UK — 1969

• 7", 45 RPM, Solid Centre — Decca – F 12967 — UK — 1969

• Issued in standard Decca company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

Did not chart.

Total Weeks: 0

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: “The Day The Earth Stood Still” – upbeat pop-rock track with a sci-fi inspired title and strong melody.

• B-side: “Is It So Strange?” – more reflective original composition.

• Production: Early Decca-era production typical of late 1960s pop singles.

• Sleeve notes: Standard Decca company sleeve.

• Historical placement: Released in the late 1960s, several years before David Essex’s major breakthrough as a glam and pop star in the 1970s.

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Extremely rare; occasionally appears on David Essex early career compilations.

🔘 Related Material

• Rock On (1973)

• Gonna Make You a Star (1974)

• Hold Me Close (1975)

🔘 Discography

The Day The Earth Stood Still – Single: 1969

(Next major singles follow in 1973)

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1969 — Recorded during David Essex’s early solo period

✦ September 26, 1969 — UK single released

✦ Did not enter UK Singles Chart

🔘 Glam Flashback

Long before the leather jackets and chart-topping hits of the 1970s, a young David Essex was already testing the waters with “The Day The Earth Stood Still” in September 1969 — an early glimpse of the star who would later light up the glam era.

#ReleaseChronicle #DavidEssex #TheDayTheEarthStoodStill #1969 #Decca

🔘 Sources

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

Background and Context: David Essex (born David Albert Cook, July 23, 1947, in Plaistow, London) was an emerging artist in 1969, still years away from his 1970s fame as a glam rock and pop star with hits like "Rock On" (1973) and "Gonna Make You a Star" (1974). In the late 1960s, Essex was transitioning from small acting roles and a stint as a drummer in local bands to pursuing a solo music career. He had been discovered by manager Derek Bowman and was experimenting with various musical styles under Decca Records. The 1969 single "The Day The Earth Stood Still" / "Is It So Strange?" was one of his earliest releases, predating his breakthrough and reflecting a period of artistic exploration. At this time, Essex was relatively unknown, and his early singles were attempts to establish his presence in the competitive UK music scene.

Single Details:

A-side: The Day The Earth Stood Still

Written by Arnold, Martin, Morrow.

A dramatic, orchestral pop song with a science-fiction theme, likely inspired by the 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Produced by Arnold, Martin, Morrow

The song did not chart, reflecting Essex’s limited recognition at the time and the single’s niche appeal.

B-side: Is It So Strange?

Written by Hunter

Produced by Arnold, Martin, Morrow

Release Information:

Released on 7" vinyl by Decca Records UK (F 12967) on September 26, 1969.

Matrix/Runout details are not widely documented, but Decca singles from this period typically featured standard mono pressings with simple labels.

Released in a plain Decca sleeve, as was common for non-charting singles of the era, with no notable picture sleeve.

Critical and Commercial Reception: The single received little critical attention and failed to chart in the UK, typical of Essex’s pre-fame releases. In 1969, he was still building his career, and the single’s lack of success reflects the competitive nature of the UK music scene, dominated by acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and emerging glam precursors. Collector sources like 45cat note its obscurity, with minimal fan discussion. The single is valued today primarily by collectors and fans of Essex’s early work, as it captures a formative stage before his 1970s stardom under CBS Records.

Netherlands - Decca - 1969

Legacy and Context: "The Day The Earth Stood Still" / "Is It So Strange?" is a minor entry in David Essex’s discography, predating his breakthrough with albums like Rock On (1973) and David Essex (1974). It represents his early attempts to find a musical identity, blending pop with theatrical elements. Essex’s career took off after signing with CBS in 1971, with hits like "Lamplight" and "Hold Me Close," and his acting roles in films like That’ll Be the Day (1973) and Stardust (1974) cemented his star status. This 1969 single is rarely referenced in retrospectives but is notable for completists, as it shows Essex’s early songwriting and performance style. It is not widely available digitally, and neither track appears on major compilations, though the A-side is mentioned in discographies on sites like 45cat and Discogs.

Additional Notes:

The single’s release by Decca UK aligns with Essex’s early recordings for the label, including other non-charting singles like "Thigh High" / "De Boom Lay Boom" (1968, Fontana) and "Love Story" / "Cruisin’ Casanova" (1968, Uni).

No music videos or promotional materials are documented, as was typical for minor releases in 1969.

Essex’s shift to CBS and collaboration with producer Jeff Wayne in the 1970s marked his commercial peak, leaving these Decca singles as historical curiosities.

Sources and Verification: Information is drawn from my knowledge of David Essex’s discography and supplemented by web sources, including 45cat, Discogs, and Wikipedia for Essex’s early career details. Collector listings on Discogs confirm the single’s rarity and release details. No direct references to fan reactions or chart data were found, as the single was obscure. If you need further details (e.g., vinyl condition, potential reissues, or fan discussions on X), I can search or elaborate. Let me know if you want more on David Essex, his early singles, or his later glam rock hits!