{{Short description|1985 song by Slade}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}} {{Use British English|date=September 2015}} {{Infobox song | name = Little Sheila | cover = Sladesingle-littlesheila.jpeg | alt = | type = single | artist = Slade | album = Rogues Gallery | B-side = {{ubl|Lock Up Your Daughters (North America)|Time to Rock (Germany)}} | released = April 1985 | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Electronic rock | length = 3:56 | label = {{ubl|CBS (North America)|RCA (Germany)}} | writer = * Noddy Holder * Jim Lea | producer = John Punter | prev_title = Myzsterious Mizster Jones | prev_year = 1985 | next_title = Do You Believe in Miracles | next_year = 1985 | misc = {{Audio sample | type = single | file = Slade Little Sheila.ogg }} }} "'''Little Sheila'''" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in April 1985 as the fourth and final single from the band's twelfth studio album, ''Rogues Gallery'' (1985). The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter.
In North America, "Little Sheila" was released by CBS as the album's only single. The song received strong airplay in the US, and reached number 13 on the ''Billboard'' Top Rock Tracks chart and number 16 on the ''Radio & Records'' AOR Tracks chart.<ref name="Top Rock Tracks"/><ref name="AOR Tracks"/> "Little Sheila" was also the band's last entry on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, where it reached number 86.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/slade/ |title=Slade - Chart history: Billboard Hot 100 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> In Germany, the song was issued by RCA as the fourth and final single from ''Rogues Gallery''.
==Music video== The song's music video was directed by Nick Morris and produced by Scott Millaney and Fiona O'Mahoney.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Video Music: New Video Clips |magazine=Billboard |date=13 April 1985 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=97 |issue=15 |page=24 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> It achieved breakout rotation on MTV.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Video Music: MTV Programming |magazine=Billboard |date=25 May 1985 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=97 |issue=21 |page=34 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
The video features the band performing the song as part of a stage play, ''The Tragedy of Little Sheila'', which follows the story of the titular character. The video is broken down into five acts:<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Slaughter |first=Trevor |title=Slade on Video - Part Two |magazine=Slade International Fan Club |date=September-December 1986 |url=http://www.sladefanclub.com/1986.html |via=sladefanclub.com |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref> * Act one – The Dark and Stormy Night * Act two – Alone in Dollar City * Act three – The Decline of Sheila * Act four – A Strange Encounter * Act five – Saved by the Law
Guitarist Dave Hill borrowed his old trademark "Superyob" guitar from Adam and the Ants' guitarist Marco Pirroni for the video.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor=Paul Lythe |title=Your Questions to the Band |magazine=Perseverance: Quarterly Newsletter for the Slade International Fan Club |date=July-September 1988 |url=http://www.sladefanclub.com/1988.html |via=sladefanclub.com |access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref>
==Critical reception== Upon its release in the US, Nancy Erlich of ''Billboard'' commented, "Proto-metallists are still bashing away, raucous and good-natured as ever."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Erlich |first=Nancy |title=Reviews: Singles |magazine=Billboard |date=20 April 1985 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=98 |issue=25 |page=73 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The radio programming guide ''The Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report'' remarked, "Predictability and consistency typically present themselves in the form of a double-edged sword – thus any new Slade offering required far more intellectualizing than one might initially realize. After much thought and debate, our experts have concluded that when it comes to power pop dynamics Mr. Holder's unique vocal presentation does in fact make the critical difference. We, therefore, unequivocally advocate prompt and thorough rotation for 'Little Sheila'."<ref>{{cite magazine |editor=Bill Hard |title=Hard Choices |magazine=The Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report |date=29 March 1985 |page=1}}</ref> ''Creem'' noted that Slade "can still knock off the catchy rock ditty, playing hooky as usual with 'Little Sheila'".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=45s |magazine=Creem |date=September 1985 |volume=17 |issue=4 |page=53 |issn=0011-1147}}</ref>
==Formats== '''7-inch single (North America)'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Little Sheila |others=Slade |year=1985 |type=North American 7-inch single label |publisher=CBS Associated Records |id=ZS4 04865}}</ref> #"Little Sheila" – 3:56 #"Lock Up Your Daughters" – 3:28
'''7-inch Single (Germany)'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Little Sheila |others=Slade |year=1985 |type=German 7-inch single sleeve notes |publisher=RCA |id=PB 40329}}</ref> #"Little Sheila" – 3:54 #"Time to Rock" – 4:08
'''12-inch Single (Germany)'''<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Little Sheila |others=Slade |year=1985 |type=German 12-inch single sleeve notes |publisher=RCA |id=PT 40330}}</ref> #"Little Sheila" (Extended Version) – 4:31 #"Time to Rock" – 4:08
==Personnel== '''Slade''' * Noddy Holder – lead vocals * Jim Lea – bass, synthesiser, backing vocals * Dave Hill – lead guitar, backing vocals * Don Powell – drums
'''Production''' * John Punter – production ("Little Sheila") * Jim Lea – production ("Lock Up Your Daughters", "Time to Rock")
'''Other''' * Image Bank – photography on RCA sleeve * Mainartery – sleeve design of RCA sleeve
==Charts== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- !Chart (1985) !Peak<br>position |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|50|chartid=0524|rowheader=true|access-date=25 August 2023}} |- {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|86|artist=Slade|song=Little Sheila|rowheader=true|access-date=25 August 2023}} |- !scope="row"|US Top Rock Tracks (''Billboard'')<ref name="Top Rock Tracks">{{cite magazine |title=Top Rock Tracks |magazine=Billboard |date=11 May 1985 |publisher=Billboard Publications, Inc. |volume=97 |issue=19 |page=18 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|13 |- !scope="row"|US AOR Tracks (''Radio & Records'')<ref name="AOR Tracks">{{cite magazine |title=National Airplay: AOR Tracks |magazine=Radio & Records |date=3 May 1985 |publisher=Radio & Records, Inc. |issue=582 |page=67 |issn=0277-4860}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|16 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Slade}}
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Category:1985 songs Category:1985 singles Category:Slade songs Category:CBS Records singles Category:RCA Records singles Category:Songs written by Noddy Holder Category:Songs written by Jim Lea Category:Song recordings produced by John Punter Category:Music videos directed by Nick Morris