The Overlooked Power of a Pop Masterpiece: Rediscovering Gary Glitter’s Crash Crash
The trajectory of a music career is often defined as much by the songs that were chosen as singles as by those that remained hidden within the tracklist of an album. Within the discography of Gary Glitter, the track “Crash Crash” from the album Boys Will Be Boys stands out as a significant point of discussion among music historians and dedicated collectors. This high energy recording serves as a fascinating example of the creative direction the artist was exploring during a period of transition in the mid seventies, showcasing a sound that many believe should have been given a much larger platform.
“Crash Crash” is frequently described by enthusiasts as a “cracking track,” possessing the rhythmic drive and infectious hooks that defined the peak of the glam rock era. Despite its obvious commercial potential and high quality production, the song was never released as a formal single. Instead, the follow up to the successful “Dance Me Up” was the track “Shout Shout Shout.” This decision remains a point of contention for many fans who have followed the artist’s chart history. While “Dance Me Up” had enjoyed considerable success, its successor failed to chart, a result that many attribute to the song simply not being as strong as other available material on the album.
For those who have revisited the Boys Will Be Boys era, “Crash Crash” represents the “missing link” in the artist’s string of hits. It carries a raw energy and a sophisticated arrangement that arguably surpassed the tracks that were eventually selected for radio promotion. The technical construction of the song highlights the talented musicians and producers who worked behind the scenes to create the signature “glitter” sound, blending heavy percussion with melodic flair. The fact that such a strong piece of music remained an album track is a testament to the sheer volume of material being produced at the time, though it also serves as a reminder of how the wrong promotional choice can stall a band’s momentum.
The value of rediscovering “Crash Crash” today lies in the appreciation of pure songwriting and production from a bygone era of British pop. It is a song that stands the test of time for its sheer audacity and sonic impact. For collectors of seventies rarities, this track is a hidden gem that confirms the depth of the albums produced during the height of the glam movement. While history cannot be rewritten to make “Crash Crash” the chart topping single it arguably deserved to be, its preservation allows modern audiences to hear a masterclass in glam rock energy and understand the complex decisions that shaped the music industry decades ago.