Myzsterious Mizster Jones

"Myzsterious Mizster Jones" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1985 as the third single from the band's twelfth studio album Rogues Gallery. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by John Punter.[1] It reached No. 50 in the UK, remaining in the charts for five weeks.[2]

"Myzsterious Mizster Jones"
Single by Slade
from the album Rogues Gallery
B-side	"Mama Nature Is a Rocker"
Released	11 March 1985
Genre	Hard rock electronic rock
Length	3:37
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Noddy Holder, Jim Lea
Producer(s)	John Punter (A-Side) Jim Lea (B-Sides)
Slade singles chronology
"7 Year Bitch" (1985) "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" (1985) "Little Sheila" (1985)
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Background

Slade began recording Rogues Gallery in 1984, with the first single, "All Join Hands", reaching the UK Top 20 in late 1984. The following single, "7 Year Bitch", stalled at No. 60 after it was banned by a number of UK broadcasters. In the hope of recovering from the "backlash", "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" was released as the album's third single in March 1985, two weeks prior to the release of the album.[3] It peaked at No. 50 in the UK.[2]

In a 1985 interview on Australian TV, Holder spoke of the song's titular character: "It's about a friend of mine from Wolverhampton who used to be a Hell's Angel actually, but I changed his name to protect the innocent 'cause I don't think he'd like a song about him. It's not knocking him, you know, but it's a song about him."[4] In a 1986 fan club interview, Lea revealed that he had come up with the song's melody while holding a conservation with his brother in a pub.[5]

Release

"Myzsterious Mizster Jones" was released on 7" and 12" vinyl by RCA Records in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia. The B-side, "Mama Nature Is a Rocker", was exclusive to the single and would later appear on the band's 2007 compilation B-Sides. On the 12" single, an extended version of "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" was featured as the A-side, and a second B-side, "My Oh My (Piano & Vocal)" was also included; a demo-like version of the band's 1983 hit "My Oh My". On the single, it was labelled as a "Special Collectors Edition" of the song.[6][7]

The single came with a full-colour picture sleeve featuring photography by Alan Ballard.[8] In the UK, a limited edition 7" vinyl picture disc was also released in addition to the standard version. In France, the song was released as a promotional single only, with "All Join Hands" as the B-Side.

Promotion

A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was directed by Phillip Davey. Described in 1986 as Lea's personal favourite of all Slade videos, it depicted the band as gangsters in a warehouse while the production of prohibition whiskey is shown in other shots.[9] The video debuted on Sky Tracks, with Holder describing the video as "fabulous".[10]

In the UK, the band mimed the song on the BBC children's television show Saturday Superstore.[11] In Europe, the song was mimed on the German TV shows ExtraTour and Die Spielbude.

Critical reception

Upon release, Marshall O'Leary for Smash Hits reviewed the single, writing: "I've never been a great lover of Slade's "orl-ta-geth-ah nah" heavy metal style. However, I found myself humming along to it. Not as good as "My Oh My" but one of their classiest singles yet."[12] In a review of Rogues Gallery, Sounds said the song was "almost a throwback to the halcyon daze of "Coz I Luv You"..." The Canadian newspaper Leader-Post said the song displayed the bands "keen melody and a healthy dollop of humour". Sean Carruthers of AllMusic retrospectively chose the song as an AMG Pick Track in his review of Rogues Gallery, as did Dave Thompson of AllMusic from the 2006 box-set The Slade Box.[13]

Formats

7" Single

1. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" - 3:37
2. "Mama Nature is a Rocker" - 2:52

7" Picture Disc Single

1. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" - 3:37
2. "Mama Nature is a Rocker" - 2:52

12" Single

1. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones (Extended Version)" - 4:47
2. "Mama Nature is a Rocker" - 2:52
3. "My Oh My (Piano & Vocal Version)" - 3:11

7" Single (French Jukebox release)

1. "Myzsterious Mizster Jones" - 3:37
2. "All Join Hands" - 4:16

Chart performance

Chart (1985)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[2]	50

Personnel

Slade

• Noddy Holder - lead vocals
• Jim Lea - bass, synthesiser, backing vocals, producer of "Mama Nature Is a Rocker" and "My Oh My (Piano & Vocal)", arranger
• Dave Hill - lead guitar, backing vocals
• Don Powell - drums

Additional personnel

• John Punter - producer of "Myzsterious Mizster Jones"
• Green Ink - design
• Alan Ballard - photography

References

1. "Slade - Rogues Gallery at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
2. "slade | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
3. Slade - Rogues Gallery - 2007 Salvo remaster booklet liner notes
4. "Slade - Noddy Holder - 1985 Aussie TV i/v". YouTube. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
5. "1986 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.com. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
6. "ALL Discography @ www.collectadisc.co.uk". Collectadisc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
7. "Slade - Myzsterious Mizster Jones at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
8. "Images for Slade - Myzsterious Mizster Jones". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
9. "1986 - Slade Fan Club www.sladefanclub.com". Sladefanclub.weebly.com. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
10. "SLADE - MYZTERIOUS MIZTER JONES Video +promotion interview". YouTube. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
11. "Slade The Mysterious Mr Jones". YouTube. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
12. http://www.shanemarais.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/19-smash-hits-14-27-march-1985.jpg
13. Sean Carruthers. "Rogues Gallery - Slade | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 August 2013.