Coz when i'm enclined, I usually find, A 'salute you' topic in the back of my mind.. :)

A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind) certainly has always split the fans down the middle with regards to taste.

The release of this 1987 single was hailed as the turning point for many in Shaky's long line of Rock n Roll singles and totally against the grain. It took many by surprise and was rumored at the time to be aimed the Gay music buying public. Apparently it was quite a hit in the Gay clubs of London. The video and apperances featured the oiled up dance troop 'Torso' and really looked err.. 'different' to see Shaky perform along side them. I'm convinced Shaky had no idea at the Gay feel of this record and i'm sure the record company just played along. This is of course purely my view. Not that the Gay market was anything to be snubbed at. The community bought mass loads of records and trust me, i've been dragged into Gay clubs (yes - I am straight ) and they are really lively places with great music. Many straight people visit Gay clubs.

The single at the time caused a lot of fuss from BBC Radio 1 too, and they actually banned it for a while. The reason was the lyrics were too suggestive!! (and now we have the likes of 'Eminem' eh? ). A Banning could only be good news! Banning a single guarenteed sales. It didnt do 'Relax' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood any harm did it?!

Everything about this single was so different for Shaky. The sound was pure Disco, the white boots were ditched (but made a return later), even the sleeve was totally different for a Shaky release. The Artwork only featured a tiny piccie of Shaky and the Shakin' Stevens font had a revamp. The big difference too was a totally new angle production wise. The original producers for Gary Glitter (Mike Leander & John Springate) were present and gave Shaky his own (bigger than Glitter's) version of the song.

It's no secret that it is a Gary Glitter cover version, although this was long before Glitter was charged for child abuse. It is a shame that the Glitter link leaves a nasty aftertaste now with regards to this song, but we have to remember that the music is innocent.

There was allegedly a Dave Edmunds produced version of this track before The Glitter Band got involved. I'd love to know what that sounded like! I doubt it'll ever see the light of day now though. No one wants any more royalties heading toward Mr. G.G do they?

It still remains a firm favorite of mine and my favorite 'Live' performance of Shaky's up there with the best. The 1988 Tour it opened and closed was the best live show of Shaky's that i'd been too.

The B-Side was just excellent and one of the best. 'If You're Gonna Cry' was performed live on the same 1988 Tour too.

HERES A FEW BOOGIE FACTS...