Everything Flows: Cum On Feel The Noize

Cover version of the month #90
Oasis cover Slade

Cum On Feel The Noize was Slade's 4th number 1 single when it came out in 1973. Written by Noddy Holder, the bands loveable rogue of a frontman, and bass player Jim Lea, the song was produced by Chas Chandler, once of The Animals and also former manager of Jimi Hendrix.

Holder was inspired by the feeling and the noise that Slade generated from their live shows.

What a glorious noize indeed! Holder's cry of baby, baby, baby at the start generates an energy that never drops. If anything it rises as Holder repeats And I don't know why, and I don't know why twice in the verse(s) before leading to a chorus made for concerts, playgrounds and terraces alike. It's a fantastic noisy, brashy and fun guitar pop single.

So cum on feel the noize

Girls grab your boys

We'll get wild, wild, wild

Perfect then, for Oasis. It feels like the song could have been written for them, or by them.

Oasis covered a number of songs through the years. Their cover of The Beatles I Am The Walrus helped attract attention in their early years and it remained a staple part of the bands set through the glory years, closing their triumphant Knebworth shows with John Squire guesting on guitar.

But, for me, Cum On Feel The Noize is (by far) their best cover. Oasis play and sing it with real gusto. It sounds like they are relishing the performance, they tear through it and Liam Gallagher's voice is incredible.

Oasis generated their own wall of sound/noize in that 94-95 period and they perfected it with this cover version. Liam singing girls grab your boys, we'll get wild, wild, wild is spine tingling. For me, 1995-96 was peak Liam Gallagher, his voice strengthened from constant touring. He just goes for it ... and nails it.

Oasis fly through the song, it's a brilliant choice of cover, a little left-field given their Beatles obsession, and they deliver a performance that really captures the energy of the band.

Released as a b-side to Don't Look Back In Anger, the band ended up playing it on Top of the Pops, check Liam having fun with the so you think my singing's out of time section!

I've also included a link to Noel singing it on Later with Jools from 1995 when Liam was away for an MOT as he'd been out partying.

Slade - Top of the Pops 1973

Slade - fan video

Oasis - Later with Jools 1995, Noel on vocals

Oasis - Top of the Pops, 1996

Oasis - Maine Road, 1st night

Oasis - official audio

The Slade original and Oasis cover version are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin'

8. Sound and Vision

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus

11. Guiding Star