"Snake in the Grass" is a song by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, released as a single in May 1969. Like with the previous single, "Don Juan", it peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
| "Snake in the Grass" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cover of the single released in Belgium | ||||
| Single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich | ||||
| from the album Together | ||||
| B-side | "Bora Bora" | |||
| Released | 2 May 1969 | |||
| Recorded | 15 April 1969[1] | |||
| Studio | Philips Studios, Stanhope House, London | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 3:05 | |||
| Label | Fontana | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Steve Rowland | |||
| Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release and reception
edit"Snake in the Grass" was the group's last single before the departure of Dave Dee in September 1969, after which the remaining members performed as D.B.M. & T.
Reviewing for Record Mirror, Peter Jones described "Snake in the Grass" as "somewhat of a less ambitious sort of production for the consistent team. But it's extremely catchy in a lilting, fast-paced way" and that "though there is less happening in the arrangement, this stands out as one of their most directly commercial numbers ever".[3] For New Musical Express, Derek Johnson described the song as a "complete contrast from their recent releases – a light and fluffy number, with a suggestion of a rocksteady beat.[4]
In May 1969, a cover version by session musicians featuring Elton John on vocals was released on the compilation album Top of the Pops Vol. 5 by the budget label Hallmark.[5][6] This version would later appear on John's 1994 compilation album Chartbusters Go Pop.[7]
Track listing
edit- "Snake in the Grass" – 3:05
- "Bora Bora" – 2:14
Charts
edit| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 95 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] | 17 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] | 46 |
| Germany (GfK)[11] | 18 |
| Singapore (Radio Singapore)[12] | 3 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[2] | 23 |
References
edit- ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, & Tich – April 1969". 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick Tich: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror. 3 May 1969. p. 9. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Drastic change for Dave Dee after flop" (PDF). New Musical Express. 3 May 1969. p. 6. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Unknown Artist – Top Of The Pops Vol. 5 (1969, Vinyl)". Discogs. May 1969. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, & Tich – May 1969". 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Elton John – Chartbusters Go Pop (1994, CD)". Discogs. 1994. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Kent, David (2005). Australian Chart Book 1940–1969. Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-44439-5.
- ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – Snake in the Grass" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – Snake in the Grass" (in French). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – Snake in the Grass" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 23 August 1969. p. 88. Retrieved 22 August 2021.