The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (July 18, 1975) – "Delilah" b/w "Soul In Chains" 7" Single: UK

"Delilah" is SAHB’s theatrical, darkly comic reinterpretation of the Tom Jones classic. Their version transforms the song into a dramatic, cabaret‑styled rock performance, driven by Alex Harvey’s storytelling delivery and the band’s trademark mix of vaudeville, hard rock and Glaswegian humour.

Released in July 1975, it became one of their biggest UK hits.

RECORDING

Recorded during the band’s mid‑Seventies peak, "Delilah" was produced by David Batchelor, who shaped SAHB’s distinctive blend of rock, theatre and character‑driven performance.

The B‑side, "Soul In Chains", was written collectively by Harvey, Cleminson, Batchelor and McKenna.

STYLE & THEMES

"Delilah" is a dramatic, tongue‑in‑cheek murder ballad delivered with SAHB’s signature theatricality. The arrangement blends rock, cabaret, and exaggerated emotional flourishes. "Soul In Chains" continues the band’s interest in narrative‑driven songwriting, with a darker, more introspective tone.

TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES

• Delilah — Written by L. Reed and B. Mason; produced by David Batchelor. A theatrical, cabaret‑rock reinterpretation that became a UK Top 10 hit. • Soul In Chains — Written by A. Harvey, A. Cleminson, D. Batchelor and H. McKenna; produced by David Batchelor. A moody, narrative‑driven B‑side typical of SAHB’s deeper album material.

RELEASE HISTORY

• July 18, 1975 (UK) — Released on Vertigo as ALEX 001.

• Issued across Europe, Australia and the US through 1975 in multiple pressing variations.

CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS

UK Official Singles Chart:  

Peak position: 7  

First chart date: July 26, 1975

Weeks on chart: 7

Chart run:  

31 (26/07/1975)

16 (02/08/1975)

8 (09/08/1975)

7 (16/08/1975)

17 (23/08/1975)

15 (30/08/1975)

32 (06/09/1975)

PERSONNEL

Alex Harvey — vocals Zal Cleminson — guitar

Hugh McKenna — keyboards

Chris Glen — bass

Ted McKenna — drums David Batchelor

PRODUCTION

Produced by David Batchelor

Label: Vertigo

Catalogue numbers: • ALEX 001 • ALEX.001

COUNTRY VARIANTS

Artist: The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Title: Delilah

Label: Vertigo Country: UK Catalogue: ALEX 001 / ALEX.001 Date: July 18, 1975

Format: 7" Single

Tracklist (7"):  

A — Delilah (L. Reed, B. Mason)

B — Soul In Chains (A. Harvey, A. Cleminson, D. Batchelor, H. McKenna)

Tracklist (7" Promo):  

A — Delilah (version)

B — Delilah (version)

Notes:   Includes large centre hole variant and multiple UK pressings under ALEX 001 and ALEX.001.

INTERNATIONAL VARIANTS

• Australia (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM, Mono — Vertigo 6059 125

• France (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo 6078 216

• Germany (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo 6059 125

• Ireland (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo ALEX 001

• Italy (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo 6078 216

• Norway (1975)   Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo 6078 216

UK (1975)  

• Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo ALEX.001 Delilah — 7", 45 RPM, Large Centre Hole — Vertigo ALEX.001

• Delilah — 7", 45 RPM — Vertigo ALEX 001 / ALEX.001

US (1975)  

• Delilah — 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo/Mono, SP Pressing — Atlantic 45‑3293

• Delilah / Soul In Chains — 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Specialty Pressing — Atlantic 45‑3293

• Delilah — 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo/Mono, MO Pressing — Atlantic 45‑3293

• Delilah — 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo/Mono, PL Pressing — Atlantic 45‑3293

• Delilah / Soul In Chains — 7", 45 RPM, PL Pressing — Atlantic 45‑3293

SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia. BBC Official Charts Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2 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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