A Roaring Anthem of Hope and Resilience
Ah, Slade. Just hearing that name conjures up a whirlwind of memories, doesn’t it? For many of us who lived through the vibrant, often chaotic, early 70s, Slade wasn’t just a band; they were a phenomenon, a gleeful, glitter-drenched explosion of pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. They embodied the spirit of a generation, a time when music felt vital, rebellious, and deeply connected to the pulse of everyday life. And among their incredible canon of hits, one song that might not immediately leap to mind for casual listeners, but holds a special place in the hearts of true fans, is “The Shape of Things to Come.”
Released in 1970, “The Shape of Things to Come” wasn’t one of their chart-topping behemoths like “Cum On Feel the Noize” or “Merry Xmas Everybody.” In fact, it had a rather interesting chart journey. While it didn’t smash into the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, it did enjoy a respectable run, peaking at number 23. This might seem modest compared to their later triumphs, but for a band still establishing their unique identity, it was a significant achievement. It demonstrated their burgeoning appeal and hinted at the colossal success that lay just around the corner. For those of us tracking the charts religiously back then, watching Slade ascend felt like witnessing history in the making. Every new single was an event, a declaration of their intent to conquer the world, one stomping anthem at a time.
But beyond the statistics, what truly makes “The Shape of Things to Come” resonate is its underlying message and the fascinating story behind its creation. Unlike many of their self-penned hits, this track was actually a cover. It was originally written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, two legendary songwriters from the Brill Building era. The song had first been a hit for American singer-songwriter Max Frost and the Troopers in 1968, famously appearing in the counter-culture film Wild in the Streets. This origin might surprise some, as Slade so masterfully made it their own, infusing it with their signature raw energy and defiant spirit.
The meaning of “The Shape of Things to Come” is surprisingly profound, especially when viewed through the lens of the early 1970s. It speaks to a sense of impending change, a feeling of new possibilities on the horizon, but also a hint of unease about what those changes might bring. The lyrics, “The shape of things to come / It’s coming right at you / The shape of things to come / Just what you gonna do?” captured the zeitgeist perfectly. The world was in flux: social norms were shifting, political landscapes were being redefined, and a new generation was finding its voice. There was a sense of excitement, yes, but also a palpable undercurrent of uncertainty. For young people, it was a call to action, an urging to embrace the future, whatever it held. It felt like a song that truly understood the anxieties and aspirations of the time.
For me, listening to “The Shape of Things to Come” now, it evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia for a simpler, yet simultaneously more complex, era. It takes me back to dimly lit youth clubs, the air thick with the smell of anticipation and cheap hairspray, where we’d eagerly await the DJ to drop the needle on the latest Slade single. It reminds me of the visceral thrill of live music, the sheer joy of hearing Noddy Holder’s inimitable howl and Dave Hill’s sparkling guitar. It was a time of genuine camaraderie, of shared experiences and collective dreams. This song, in particular, felt like a rallying cry, a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll to unite us and carry us through whatever “shape of things to come” lay ahead. It’s a reminder that even in uncertainty, there can be a booming, optimistic beat that propels us forward, full of hope and resilient spirit.