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Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)
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Wikipedia article
"'Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)'" was Australian pop singer Johnny Farnham's first solo single. The novelty song was released in November 1967 and was No. 1 on the 'Go-Set' National Singles Charts for five weeks in early 1968 NOTE: 'Go-Set' published its National Singles Charts from October 1966 until August 1974, they were compiled by Ed Nimmervoll. (six weeks on the Australian charts in 1968 based on the Kent Music Report). NOTE: In 2005, David Kent back calculated all chart positions for 19401969 based on existing local charts: there were no nationally recognised charts until 'Go-Set' published their first charts in October 1966. Kent published his first Kent Music Report charts in mid-1974. It was the largest selling single in Australia by an Australian artist in the 1960s. The single, "Sadie" sold approximately 183,000 copies in Australia and was the highest selling Australian single until "Up There Cazaly" was released in 1979. and was also released in New Zealand, Denmark and Germany. The B-side, "In My Room" was written by Farnham. The A-side's label includes the acknowledgement "Vacuum cleaner solo: Mr. Jolly".
Background
Farnham's manager, Darryl Sambell, had disliked "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" because the lyrics were so persistent. However, EMI's inhouse producer, David Mackay, insisted so the single was released in November 1967. The song had been written by United States writers Ray Gilmore, Johnny Madara and Dave White. Sambell approached the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV program 'This Day Tonight' to do a "day in the life of" segment where they followed Farnham around to radio studios to promote the single. Sambell also arranged for `the electrical appliance store, Godfrey's, to supply a vacuum cleaner salesman, a Mr Jolly, to be on hand. By arrangement with Sambell, Melbourne radio DJ Stan Rofe pretended that he disliked "Sadie" before playing it. Rofe continued the ploy on TV's 'Upright' and viewers responded with calls to play the song. Rofe was also a writer for 'Go-Set', a teen-oriented pop magazine. Another writer for the magazine, Molly Meldrum, praised Farnham's efforts. "Sadie" hit No. 1 on the 'Go-Set' National Singles Charts in January 1968 and remained there for five weeks. Selling 180,000 copies in Australia, "Sadie" was the highest selling single by an Australian artist of the decade. The B-side, "In My Room", was written by Farnham. The album, 'Sadie', also produced by Mackay, was released in April.
According to author Jeff Jenkins, another local pop performer, Mike Furber, had the first option on recording "Sadie" but declined; Furber later told Sambell that due to this mistake he was not destined for success. (Furber died in 1973, aged 25, allegedly by hanging himselfthis is disputed by his family and friends, who believe he was murdered.)
Track listing
# "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady) (Ray Gilmore, Johnny Madara, Dave White) 3:13
# "In My Room" (Johnny Farnham) 2:17
Cover versions
*An artist going by the name of Fred Splinge (almost certainly a pseudonym) recorded the song for the South African market in 1968. This version was the South African hit, peaking in the top 20 on the national charts. "Splinge" never issued another recording.
*Wolverhampton band Finders Keepers recorded "Sadie, The Cleaning Lady" in mid-1968.
*Swedish singer Siw Malmkvist recorded "Sadie" in English, Swedish (as "Mamma r lik sin mamma" with lyrics translated by Stig Anderson), Danish ("Mor er som hendes mor var") and German ("Frauen sind doch nur Frauen") all in 1968. The Swedish language version charted at Svensktoppen for six weeks between 6 October10 November 1968, and topped the chart.
*Finnish singer Katri Helena recorded it in Finnish as "Aiti kuin aidinaiti" in 1968.
*Fellow Australian, Frankie Davidson parodied it with "Hector the Trash Collector" in 1968.
Chart positions
References
Category:1967 songs
Category:1967 debut singles
Category:Australian pop songs
Category:Number-one singles in Australia
Category:Songs written by David White (musician)
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:EMI Records singles
Category:Songs written by John Medora
Category:Siw Malmkvist songs
Category:John Farnham songs
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