"Freak" is the debut single by the English rock singer-songwriter and bass guitarist

Bruce Foxton Bruce Douglas Foxton (born 1 September 1955) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Foxton's music career spans more than 40 years. He came to prominence in the late 1970s as bassist and backing vocalist of mod revival band the Jam. ...

, which became a hit and one of his most recognizable songs. It was released on 30 July 1983, as the

lead single A lead single (also known as a debut single) is the first single to be released from a studio album by an artist or a band, usually before the album itself is released and also occasionally on the same day of the album's release date. Release s ...

from his debut studio album, '' Touch Sensitive''. It was inspired strongly by the 1980 biographical film ''

The Elephant Man Joseph Carey Merrick (5 August 1862 – 11 April 1890), often erroneously called John Merrick, was an English man known for having severe deformities. He was first exhibited at a freak show under the stage name "the Elephant Man" and then we ...

'', with the single's cover even referencing the film's posters. It was one of four tracks from the album that were produced by the multiple-award winning

Steve Lillywhite Stephen Alan Lillywhite, (born 15 March 1955) is a British record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited on over 500 records, and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including new wave acts XTC, Big ...

. The song is notably Foxton's only single to make the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, peaking at 23, for a total of five weeks.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the single's back cover. *

– lead vocals, bass guitar *

Pete Glenister Pete Glenister is an English guitarist, songwriter and producer, known for his work with Alison Moyet and Kirsty MacColl. He has also worked with a number of other artists including Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Bruce Foxton, Terence Trent D'Arby, Bros, ...

– guitars * Adrian Lillywhite – drums *

Anthony Thistlethwaite Anthony "Anto" Thistlethwaite (born 31 August 1955, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England) is a British multi-instrumentalist best known as a founding member (with guitarist Mike Scott) of the folk rock group, The Waterboys and later as a long ...

– saxophone *

Roddy Lorimer Roddy Lorimer (born 19 May 1953) is a Scottish musician who plays trumpet and flugelhorn. He has performed with a wide array of artists, including Blur, Gene, the Rolling Stones, Draco Rosa, the Who, the Style Council, Eric Clapton, Suede, ...

– trumpet * Jackie Challenor – backing vocals * Lorenza Johnson – backing vocals * Mae McKenna – backing vocals

Chart performance

References

External links

* {{authority control 1983 debut singles Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite 1983 songs Songs written by Bruce Foxton Arista Records singles