I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)

"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am!)" is a song by English glam rock singer Gary Glitter, written by Glitter with Mike Leander and produced by Mike Leander. It was Glitter's first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, spending four weeks at the top of the chart in July 1973.[1]

"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
Single by Gary Glitter
B-side"Just Fancy That"
Released1973
GenreGlam rock
Length3:25
LabelBell
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mike Leander
Gary Glitter singles chronology
"Hello, Hello, I'm Back Again"
(1973)		 "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
(1973)		 "I Love You Love Me Love"
(1973)

Description

The song "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" was a top hit for Gary Glitter; the song reached number-one in the UK Singles Chart in July and August 1973.[1] It was written by Gary Glitter and Mike Leander and produced by Mike Leander.[1] As a result of its popularity, Glitter's nickname became "The Leader".

The song is a glam rock anthem typical of Glitter's early 1970s output, based on a simple mid-tempo rhythm (the so-called "Glitter Stomp") and loud chanted backing vocals such as "Hey!" and "Come on, come on!". Glitter had a backing band, the Glitter Band, but with the exception of saxophonists Harvey Ellison and John Rossall, they did not participate in his recording sessions, and precisely who else, if anyone, helped Glitter and producer/co-writer Mike Leander in the studio remains unknown. Glitter said in interviews that he and Leander preferred to play everything themselves, since it allowed them to record the songs as they were being written.

The song became a concert favourite with the crowd chanting the "Come on, come on!" refrain before Glitter took to the stage. Although Glitter's version failed to chart in the U.S., the following year a version by Brownsville Station made the Top 30 on the Cashbox Top 100[2] and reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1986, still a popular live act, Glitter re-recorded the song with Girlschool. This version missed the UK charts but reached No.8 on the indie chart Show Heavy Metal charts. In 1997, girl group Spice Girls covered the song for their musical comedy film Spice World. Glitter originally made a cameo appearance in the film, but his scene was deleted after he was arrested for possession of child pornography.[3]

The song was used in the 1997 movie The Full Monty where it is credited in the trailer section.

Track listing
  1. "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)" – 3:25
  2. "Just Fancy That" – 2:36

Peter and the Test Tube Babies cover

In 1982, the Peacehaven's punk band Peter and the Test Tube Babies covered the song on their album Pissed and Proud.

Green Jellÿ cover
"I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
Single by Green Jellÿ featuring Hulk Hogan
Released1993
Genre
LabelZoo Entertainment
Songwriter(s)
Green Jellÿ featuring Hulk Hogan singles chronology
"Electric Harley House (Of Love)"
(1993)		 "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)"
(1993)		 "House Me Teenage Rave"
(1993)

In 1993, comedy rock band Green Jellÿ released "I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am)", with professional wrestler Hulk Hogan singing lead vocals. The release scored them a third Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom.

Track listing
  1. "I'm the Leader of the Gang"
  2. "I'm the Leader of the Gang" (12" Remix)
  3. "Thing-a-Ma-Bob"
  4. "Hulkamaniac"

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 289. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. The Truth Behind The Deleted Gary Glitter Cameo In The Spice Girls Movie
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