For many (including me) the single that brought Strawbs to their attention, with glam rock oriented appearances on Top Of The Pops, wearing make-up and miming outrageously. Based loosely on the 23rd Psalm, this is one of THE classic Strawbs tracks, one that is certain to be in any live set.
Many of the releases featured a track called "Backside", purported to be recorded by Ciggy Barlust & The Whales From Venus (an obvious piss-take on Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars).
The promo version gives the release date as 13 Oct 1972 and promises that the song "will not appear on any future LP" ... well, strictly speaking, the version of "Lay Down" on the album is different .....
For label spotters, there are actually four different versions of the standard UK label (the explanation being no doubt that A&M were printing to keep pace with the unexpected sales as the single climbed the UK charts.
The scan below is the original single I bought back in 1972, the first Strawbs record I possessed. It's a bit battered these days, and I have other playing copies. But this is what started off a lifelong musical obession......
Pictured above.
Released in early Summer 1973 to coincide with Strawbs US tour, the US single pulled Lambert's "The Winter And The Summer" from the album to serve as a B-side.
Released in early Summer 1973 to coincide with Strawbs US/Canada tour, the Canadian single also had Lambert's "The Winter And The Summer" as a B-side.
A tasteful dark green sleeve. Release date almost certainly 1972.
A slightly garish design with the angular lettering of the song title at odds with the "GNW" Strawbs logo. Nice lettering for the fictitious Mr Barlust & Friends.
The strange goldfish bowl photo which the Japanese recycled for their "Part Of The Union" release. Cousins is pointing, Hud is cross-legged and Blue is clearly visible. You have to hunt to for John who's in the picture frame at centre-bottom of the pic, and the crouching figure to his right is probably Tony Hooper, though it may be Dave Lambert (my money's on Hooper).
Obviously the spoof Bowie track wasn't appropriate for the Spanish market, who went for "Tomorrow" instead. Despite the translation of title, the lyrics as sung are in English.
No fancy sleeve for this New Zealand release, which provides "Flower And The Young Man" off Grave New World with its only 45 rpm outing.
Fancy clothes from the "tweed" photoshoot dominate the cover of this Japanese release. I have a white label promo, so I'm not certain whether this made it out on general release in Japan. Only two verses for "Lay Down" are transcribed .... not clear why.
A strange and anachronistic choice of photo, featuring the Cousins/Hooper/Wakeman/Ford/Hudson Antiques And Curios line-up (Israel did this for "Part Of The Union" too!)
Picture sleeve using the same photo as the Danish release.
