The Legend of Xanadu

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This article is about the single. For the video game, see Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu.
"The Legend of Xanadu"
Cover of the single released in the Netherlands and Austria
Single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich
from the album If No-One Sang
B-side"Please"
Released9 February 1968 (1968-02-09)
Recorded17 January 1968[1]
StudioPhilips Studios, Stanhope House, London
GenrePsychedelic pop
Length3:35
LabelFontana TF903 (UK)[2]
Imperial 66287 (US)
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Rowland[2]
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich singles chronology
"Zabadak!"
(1967) 		"The Legend of Xanadu"
(1968) 		"Last Night in Soho"
(1968)

"The Legend of Xanadu" is a single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich that reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1968[2] and was the group's biggest hit. It was written by songwriters Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley. As was the case with many of the group's recordings, it features novelty elements — a trumpet section and the distinctive sound of a whip cracking in the chorus. The musical accompaniment was directed by John Gregory. The single was certified gold in November 1968.[3]

Reception[edit]

Reviewing for Disc and Music Echo, Penny Valentine wrote: "Having taken us on a round tour of Israel, Russia and goodness knows where else the gentlemen are now thundering across the prairies with this sort of Marty Robbins/Elmer Bernstein piece, Alpert trumpets, whiplash and all!" She also described the song as "very spirited, a lot better than they've done for a long time".[4]

Track listing[edit]

7"

  1. "The Legend of Xanadu" (Ken Howard, Alan Blaikley) – 3:35
  2. "Please" (Dave Harman, John Dymond, Trevor Davies) – 3:20

Charts[edit]

Chart (1968) Peak
position
Australia (Go-Set)[5] 6
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 6
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 6
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[9] 10
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 10
Canada (CHUM)[11] 7
Denmark (Danmarks Radio)[12] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[13] 20
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 5
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 1
Israel (Galei Tzahal)[16] 1
Japan (Oricon Singles Chart)[17] 11
Japan International (Oricon)[18] 1
Malaysia (Radio Malaysia)[19] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 5
New Zealand (Listener)[22] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[23] 3
Rhodesia (Lyons Maid)[24] 1
Singapore (Radio Singapore)[16] 1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[25] 7
Spain (Promusicae)[26] 20
Sweden (Kvällstoppen)[27] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[28] 1
US Bubbling Under the Hot 100 (Billboard)[29] 123

Cover versions[edit]

References in popular culture[edit]

  • In Red Dwarf episode "Timeslides" (Season 3, Episode 5), an alternative dimension sees Dave Lister rich and living in a mansion named Xanadu; "not as a reference to the film Citizen Kane, but rather as a tribute to the hit single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich".[33]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, & Tich – January 1968". 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 114–5. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  3. ^ "Scene" (PDF). Disc and Music Echo: 2. 9 November 1968. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Dave Dee: Best for a long time!" (PDF). Disc. 10 February 1968. p. 23. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Go-Set Australian charts - 15 May 1968". gosetcharts.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  6. ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
  7. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 100189." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  11. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade Week of April 1, 1968". 1 April 1968. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  12. ^ "danskehitlister.dk". 14 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  13. ^ Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit DE - DIA". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  15. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Legend of Xanadu". Irish Singles Chart.
  16. ^ a b "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 1 June 1968. p. 56. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 3 August 1968. p. 39. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Mr.Heartbreaker's Chart Liner_Japan #1 DISKS". www.hbr3.sakura.ne.jp. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 4 May 1968. p. 53. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  21. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  22. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – The Legend of Xanadu". VG-lista.
  24. ^ Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  25. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Acts (D)". 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Listas de superventas: 1968". 20 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick And Tich – Se alla låtar och listplaceringar". NostalgiListan (in Swedish). Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick Tich: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  29. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1982). Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 1959–1981. Record Research. p. 47. ISBN 9780898200478.
  30. ^ "ザ・ジャガーズ – 二人だけの渚 / キサナドーの伝説 (1968, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 10 August 1968. p. 51. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Ruby Trax (The NME's Roaring Forty) (1992, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Red Dwarf Series III Episode 5, "Timeslides"". Ladyofthecake.com. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
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