Yes I remember your face from last year,
And your car, how it shines.
Unfortunately, he’s not here with me.
I would say where he is if I could.
Is it concerning the money he lent?
He was always flat broke.
Indubitably his sister can say if only you knew where to find her.
Chorus
That slow talking boy, he don’t work here no more
He go for a job in the city.
I wish I could say that he’ll come to some good,
But I know he won’t,
It’s a pity.
Yes I remember your face from last year,
And your car, how it shines.
Unfortunately, he’s not here with me.
I would say where he is if I could.
Chorus (repeat)
Written by Kongos/Leroy (Tapestry Music Ltd)
Released April 1977 on RCA - PB5024
B-side: Let Me Out
Mud’s first single after signing with RCA records. A great song but it failed to make the top 30 despite a lot of airplay and promotion
Darlin’ believe me,
I told you that I love you but you leave me.
Darlin’, darlin.
You’ll never know how much I care.
It’s alright tonight
Any way you want me now it turns right.
It’s alright, alright,
And I’ve got all the love to share.
Chorus
Just try a little tenderness,
Just try and time will do the rest.
You know I’ll always be,
Loving you, why can’t you see
Just try a little tenderness,
It’s you and only you know best.
And who’s to reason why,
Oh baby won’t you try.
Darlin’, don’t tease me
You never try to reason why you please me.
Darlin’, oh darlin’.
Help me cos I need you here.
Its alright, tonight,
Come closer can’t you see I need you,
Don’t fight.
It’s alright, alright,
Oh don’t you know I’m waiting here
Chorus
Repeat to fade
Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell Music)
Released July 1977 on RCA - PB5042
B-side: Gives You The Good Times Now
Mud’s second single for RCA was a flop. The b-side was recorded live and featured “Barrington Talbot Short” on vocals!
We’re offering you a new way of looking ahead
And there’s so much gotta be said
Come on and see it our way.
Make up your mind, there’s another world there to find
So don’t hesitate
You won’t have to wait too long
Chorus
It’s there in view
Look at the good time
Oh so easy
We can show you how.
Just made for you
Now is the right time
We can give you all the good times now.
Picture the fire then see it before your eyes
Don’t it make you realise, you want it it’s yours
Happy to be in the sunshine constantly
But if it’s cloudy or grey
There’s no better way you'll see
Chorus
Everybody knows
How the story goes
Why wait so long
But smiling faces are all yours to share from now on.
Chorus
Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell Music)
Released July 1977 as the b-side of Just Try (A Little Tenderness) on RCA - PB5042
Recorded live at The Gaity Club and featuring “Barrington Talbot Short” on vocals!
Now a country boy named Shorty
And a city boy named Dan,
Had to prove who could run the fastest
To win Miss Lucy’s hand.
Now Dan had all the money,
And he also had the looks.
But Shorty must have had something boys that can’t be found in books.
Chorus
“Cut across Shorty, Shorty cut across.”
That’s what Miss Lucy said.
“Cut across Shorty, Shorty cut across.
It’s you I wanna win.”
Now Dan had been in training,
A week before the race.
He’d made up his mind old Shorty,
Would end in second place.
Now Dan with his long legs flying,
Left Shorty far behind.
And Shorty heard him holler out,
“Miss Lucy you’ll soon be mine.”
Chorus
Break
But Shorty wasn’t worried.
He had a smile upon his face.
He knew that he was gonna win,
’Cos Lucy had fixed the race.
And just like that old story ’bout the turtle and the hare,
When Dan crossed over the finishing line,
He found Shorty waiting there.
Repeat Chorus to end
Written by Wilkin/Walker (Polygram Music Publishing Ltd)
Released March 1978 on RCA - PB5075
B-side: We’ve Gotta Know
Previously a hit for Eddie Cochran. Although Mud’s version charted and did get a fair amount of airplay, it failed to be a hit. It’s a great fun record non-the-less and gave the band one of their last mainstream TV appearances.
Well it’s maybe yes,
Maybe no.
Are you gonna tell us before we go?
Maybe, all you keep sayin’ is maybe.
Is it stop, is go?
Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.
You maybe right
Maybe wrong.
But you keep singing that same old song.
Maybe, all you keep sayin’ is maybe.
Is it stop, is go?
Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know.
Secrets that you keep.
Nights we’re losing sleep
If you don’t lead the way
Seems we’re gonna pay the price one day.
It’s easy come,
Easy go.
Bags in hand and another show.
We’re heading
Who knows where we’re heading
Is it stop, is it go
Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,
Won’t you be a man,
Take a stand.
Velvet glove and a master plan.
We’re ready
Can’t you see we’re ready,
Is it stop, is it go?
Can’t you see we gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,
We gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,
We gotta know, gotta know, gotta know,
Written by Rob Davis and Ray Stiles (Evolution Music/Island Music Ltd)
Lead vocals by Ray Stiles
Released March 1978 as the b-side of Cut Across Shorty (RCA PB5075)
One of Ray Stiles’ few lead vocal opportunities and a great number.
Day after day I’m more confused
But I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know it’s a game that I hate to loose.
I’m feeling the strain.
Ain’t it a shame.
Chorus
Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,
I wanna get lost in your rock ’n’ roll and drift away.
Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,
I wanna get lost in your rock ’n’ roll and drift away.
Beginning to think that I’m wasting time.
And I don’t understand the things I do.
The world outside looks so unkind
Now it’s up to you to carry me through.
Chorus
When my mind is free you know a melody can move me
And when I’m feelin’ blue, the guitar’s coming through to sooth me.
Thank’s for the joy that you’ve given me.
I want you to know what I feel in the song.
A rhythm and a rhyme and a harmony.
To help me along,
You’re making me strong.
Repeat Chorus to fade
Written by Williams (Rondor Music Ltd)
Released May 1978 on RCA - PB5096
B-side: Let Me Get (Close To You)
An old Dobi Gray hit. Taken from the album “Mud Rock On”. A great version but it was their fourth consecutive single to fail to chart
Let me get, let me get close to you.
Let me know, let me know what to do.
You made me believe you’d be true.
But I’m blue.
Let me get, let me get close to you.
You hear me calling but you never answer me.
(You hear me calling, you hear me calling)
So quit your stalling honey, come on back and see.
(Quit your stallin’, quit your stallin’)
Just what you’ve done,
It’s really such a shame.
Our love is dying,
You’re the one to blame
Let me get, let me get close to you.
(I wann a get close, I wanna get close to you).
Let me know, let me know what to do.
(Let me know just what to do)
You made me believe you’d be true.
But I’m blue.
Let me get, let me get close to you.
Break
I’m thinking of you sugar,
You’re always on my mind.
(I’m thinking of you, I’m thinking of you)
How come you’re changing and you say I’m not your kind
(How come you’re changing, how come you’re changing)
Took what you wanted and left me for a clown.
You had your way and turned me upside down.
Let me get, let me get close to you.
(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).
Let me know, let me know what to do.
(Let me know just what to do)
You made me believe you’d be true.
But I’m blue.
Let me get, let me get close to you.
Let me get, let me get.
(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).
Let me get, let me get.
(I wanna get close, I wanna get close to you).
Let me get, Let me get close to you.
Written by Ray Stiles and Rob Davis (Chappell and Co)
Released May 1978 as the b-side of Drift Away (RCA - PB5096)
Taken from the album “Mud Rock On”.
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do birds sing so gay?
Lovers await the break of day.
Why do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from up above?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do they fall in love?
Why does my heart skip this crazy beat?
For I know it must taste defeat.
Tell me why, why oh why, why do they fall in love?
Why does my heart skip this crazy beat?
Why do they fall in love?
I wonder who wrote the Book of Love.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, who wrote the book of love;
I’ve got to know the answer,
Was it someone from above?
I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.
I really love you darlin’, baby you know I do.
I’ve got to see this book of love,
Find out what is true.
I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.
Chapter One says to love her, love her with all your heart.
Chapter Two you tell her, you’re never ever, never ever gonna part.
Chapter Three you’ll remember the feeling of romance.
Chapter Four you break up, but you’ll give her one more chance.
I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.
Baby, baby, baby, I love you yes I do.
It says so in this book of love -
ours is the one that’s true.
I wonder who, who wrote the Book of Love.
Why Do Fools Fall In Love written by Lymon and Goldner (Chappell Music Ltd)
Book Of Love written by David, Malone and Patrick (Francis Day & Hunter Ltd)
Released November 1978 on RCA - PB5129
B-side: Run, Don’t Walk
The first Mud single that did not feature Les on solo lead vocals. Taken from the band’s last album “As You Like It”.
Female voice: “Ah, look ’os ’ere”
Will you come on over to my house?
Don’t wanna play no cat and mouse.
Naughty girl don’t lead me on.
Let’s have some fun.
“’ere, what d’ya take me for?”
Sit with me on the sofa.
We will only go so far.
Won’t you smile? I know you could.
So far, so good.
Chorus:
You’ll like it.
You’ll like it.
You’ll like it.
I like it too. (repeat)
Naughty lady, you sexy thing.
“Are you gonna buy me a wedding ring?”
Everything of mine is yours.
(lascivious laugh) “Here - get off”
Don’t kick up a rumpus or make a fuss.
You and me, just the two of us.
Help me make it through the night.
Hold on - hold on tight.
“Do me a favour!”
Repeat chorus to fade (with female voice over)
Written by Ray Styles and Rob Davis (April Music/Glamlea Ltd/Keyro Ltd)
Released 1979 on RCA - PB5215
B-side: Can’t Stop
This turned out to be Mud’s last single. Taken from the album “As You Like It”.
I know you know the way I feel about you, baby.
I guess it shows in everything I do.
I want the world to see,
It ain’t no passing thing.
It’s how I wanna be
Must be the love you bring.
Chorus
And I can’t stop, thinking about you.
Can’t stop (oh baby), doing without you
(Oh baby) you gotta hold on me.
I used to be the one to doubt it ever happened
Then you came and that broke all the rules
When I look in your eyes
It makes me realise
I’m doing what I should.
It’s never been so good.
Chorus
No matter what they say.
You can’t hide love away.
Chorus
Repeat Chorus and fade.
Released 1979 as the b-side of You’ll Like It (RCA - PB5215)