Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Few songs demonstrate Shakin’ Stevens’ ability to turn an old standard into a vibrant rock ’n’ roll performance quite like “This Ole House”. Originally written by American songwriter Stuart Hamblen in 1954, the song tells the story of an ageing man whose once-loved home has become worn and unsafe, with the house itself almost taking on the role of another character.
Stevens recorded his version in 1980 at Eden Studios in London, with producer Stuart Colman giving the song a lively rockabilly treatment. The arrangement draws on the style of NRBQ’s earlier interpretation, adding a driving rhythm, energetic backing vocals and the unmistakable rock ’n’ roll swagger that had become central to Stevens’ sound.
Despite the song’s slightly melancholy subject, Stevens approaches it with enormous enthusiasm. His bright, animated vocal gives the lyrics a sense of fun, while the repeated chorus provides the recording with its infectious, singalong quality. The contrast between the song’s reflections on ageing and the exuberance of the performance is particularly effective.
“This Ole House” became an important recording in Stevens’ early-Eighties repertoire and helped establish the distinctive combination of rockabilly nostalgia, pop energy and showmanship that characterised much of his work during the decade.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK charts on 23rd March 1981.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | This Ole House (3:05) (Hamblen) Produced By Stuart Coleman |
| B-Side | Let Me Show You How (2:53) (Stevens) Produced By Stuart Coleman |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [11 Weeks] – 7th March 1981 – 16th May 1981 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- This Ole House (Single Version) (3:05)
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OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew a wife
This ole house was home and comfort as we fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness when the lightnin’ walks about
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain’t got time to fix the shingles
Ain’t got time to fix the floor
Ain’t a-got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no windowpane
Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer
She’s a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints
This ole house is gettin’ shaky
This ole house is gettin’ old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On my knees I’m gettin’ chilly
But I feel no fear nor pain
I got see an angel peepin’ through the broken windowpane
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain’t got time to fix the shingles
Ain’t a-gotta time to fix the floor
Ain’t got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no windowpane
Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer
She’s a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles when the night flings out its arms
This ole house is gettin’ feeble
This ole house is needin’ paint
Just like me it’s tuckered out but I’m a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain’t got time to fix the shingles
Ain’t got time to fix the floor
Ain’t got time to oil the hinges
Nor, nor mend no windowpane
Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer
She’s a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain’t got time to fix the shingles
Ain’t got time to fix the floor
Ain’t got time to oil the hinges
Nor, nor mend no windowpane
Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer
She’s a-gettin’ ready to meet the saints
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no longer)
(Ain’t a-gonna need this house no more)
Ain’t got time to fix the shingles
Ain’t got time to fix the floor
Written By Stuart Hamblen
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