Cum On Feel The Noize - Quiet Riot Cover Version

Quiet Riot Cover Version

The song was revived in 1983 by heavy metal band Quiet Riot, who also covered Slade's "Mama Weer All Crazee Now". Quiet Riot's version of "Cum On Feel the Noize" went on to peak at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 19, 1983. It helped make Quiet Riot's Metal Health album a number-one hit. The song's success drew huge nationwide attention to the 1980s Los Angeles metal scene. It also helped to break Slade belatedly in the US. The song was certified gold by the RIAA. Originally, Kevin DuBrow and Frankie Banali were dead set on not covering the song, because they claimed that they hated it. Instead, they decided to try to cover the song as badly as they could so the label would refuse to release it.

Quiet Riot's version of "Cum On Feel the Noize" was ranked #80 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders back in 2002, though the song was not Quiet Riot's only Top 40 hit and therefore not a true one-hit wonder. In 2009, it was named the 41st best hard rock song of all time also by VH1.

In a December 1983 interview by Kerrang magazine, Holder spoke of the Quiet Riot version. "The first Slade knew about Quiet Riot was when they approached our publisher for permission to do 'Cum On Feel the Noize.' We agreed, never believing something like this would happen. In fact, the record was out for some while in the States before becoming a big hit, wasn't it? The really nice thing about the whole affair is that it proves how strong our songs are. After all; 'Cum On Feel the Noize' is now ten years old, so it's obviously stood the test of time rather well! We've actually been approached in the recent past by people wanting us to update one of our classics. But, not even seeing what a band like Quiet Riot have done so successfully with modern studio technology on an old Slade tune has persuaded us it's worth doing. There was a spontaneity and electricity about the numbers when we first did 'em that could never be recaptured now. There just wouldn't be the same feel so, no matter how much money is offered, we're not into prostituting our own heritage."

In a December 1983 interview by Record Mirror magazine, Lea stated "Quiet Riot phoned us up and asked if they could use the song. They were a bit cheeky really because they had already recorded it. I think they've done a very good version and the song is a classic." Lea was asked if he knew how much he was to make out of the publishing royalties, Lea replied "Let's say enough to buy some very nice Christmas presents. Because of the success of the song in the States, we've also got five major record companies trying to outbid each other and sign us to a major deal. We've had ridiculous offers coming over the phone. We'll give you five Rolls Royces if you go with us, that kind of thing."

In a Ludwig drums interview with Quiet Riot's drummer Frankie Banali, Ludwig HQ asked "It has been said that Slade liked Quiet Riot's version of 'Cum On Feel the Noize' better than their original. Is this true?" Banali replied "If that is true, they never told us! I think they were a little bitter about our success with their song. They had a hit with it in other territories but not in the US and later our version overshadowed theirs worldwide. Any real success in the US always seemed to elude Slade, so Quiet Riot having a major hit with 'Cum On Feel the Noize' was bittersweet for them. When Quiet Riot played the Hammersmith Odeon in London opening up for Judas Priest in 1983, we offered them an invitation complete with a limo service to attend the show, but they never responded. Later I was shopping in Kensington Market and ran into (Slade bassist,) Jimmy Lea, who co-wrote of the song. I wanted to shake his hand and thank him for writing a great song. He looked into my face, and walked away leaving me with nothing in my hand but air! I look at the situation like this: Quiet Riot received a great measure of success with the help of that song, and Slade received a great deal of money for their trouble. Fair enough!"