Oh What a Shame
"Oh What a Shame" is a 1975 single, which was written and produced by Roy Wood.[1] Wood played all of the musical instruments on the recording, as well as supplying lead and multi-tracked backing vocals. The song was jointly globally published by Carlin Music Corp and Roy Wood Music.[2] One music journalist described the track as "a delightful collision of The Beach Boys and Neil Sedaka".[3]
"Oh What a Shame" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Roy Wood | ||||
B-side | "Bengal Jig" | |||
Released | May 1975 | |||
Recorded | 1975 | |||
Genre | Pop music | |||
Length | 3:51 | |||
Label | Jet Records (JET 754) (UK), United Artists Records (US)[1] | |||
Songwriter(s) | Roy Wood | |||
Producer(s) | Roy Wood | |||
Roy Wood singles chronology | ||||
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The track reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart.[4] The single remained in the UK chart for seven weeks, starting in May 1975.[5] It was also released as a single in Belgium, Australia, Netherlands, Ireland and the US.[2] The single was the final solo Wood recording to reach the UK Singles Chart.[5] In 1977, two years after "Oh What A Shame" left the UK Top 20, Wood commented, "I've written something like 30 hit songs, you know? It's not easy now to accept that I'm not a success anymore".[6]
"Oh What a Shame" has appeared on numerous compilation albums, including Wood's own Singles (1993, Connoisseur Records).[7] and Exotic Mixture: Best of Singles A's & B's (1999).[8] It also appeared on the 1999 expanded CD reissue of Wood's 1975 album, Mustard.[9]
The record still commands national radio play in the UK; the most recent airing being on BBC Radio 2's Pick of the Pops on 6 July 2019.[10]
References
- Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 674. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- "Roy Wood - Oh What A Shame". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "Roy Wood - Music Box". Uncut.co.uk. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "ROY WOOD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, England: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 610. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- "Face The Music - Look Thru' the Eyes of Roy Wood & Wizzard - Sleeve Notes". Ftmusic.com. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "Singles - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "Exotic Mixture: Best of Singles A's & B's - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "Mustard - Roy Wood | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "Roy Wood - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2019.