The Status Quo - Pictures of Matchstick Men - 45 RPM - ORIGINAL MONO MIX

Original Cadet Concept Records #7001
45 RPM Vinyl
Debut 5/18/68
Peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Status Quo is a true one hit wonder, as their only other charted record peaked at only #70.
Written by Francis Rossi
Produced by John Shroeder
Published by Northern Music Corp. (ASCAP)
No true stereo of this tune is known to exist, so therefore there are many awful sounding fake stereo versions out there. This is the original TRUE mono version!
This is one of my first records purchased originally at the Two Guys discount dept. store in Middletown, NJ. The label sleeve is original, with price sticker of 77 cents. I bought this record at the same time as the record "Journey To The Center Of The Mind", which I also have posted.
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[@lmjenki]

Jesus, music is a time machine. Listening to this took me back fifty years in time.

[@Lisa-di1wi]

It sure does. I was just a 10-year-old kid when this song first came out. Fifty years later, I still love this song! Boy I can't believe this song is now 50 years old! I am now 61!

[@Erzahler]

@@Lisa-di1wi I was only 4 when this came out, so I don't remember it then.

[@matthillthehatmill8889]

good stay there

[@jvsmith7888]

Amen!

[@panigalecheckmate1549]

Mich auch 😢😢😢😢❤

[@unspeakableexperiments7699]

Perhaps the best psychedelic rock turned blues boogie band there ever was.

[@michaeltrk1]

Thank YOU for all these 45's! They are the BEST. My mother threw all my old 45's away a couple years after I returned from NAM! Damn these were great years for these great songs/groups. Mike in Dallas

[@JLrapel492]

Tsssss, sorry for it mister.

[@kirkmoore4515]

My ex put the upright vacuum on top of the box with my 45s in it back in 1983.....Wahhhhhh! She took out about 20 of them!

[@novawagon1965]

One of my favorite tunes from summer of 68. WABC didn't come in very well at night but I used to listen to it on WLS at night in farm country.. I will now enjoy it when I cruise around in my Nova wagon and it will be your channel playing.. Great channel I love listening to mono. music it just goes with the car and time period that I grew up in.

[@billtaylor4224]

That Waw Waw peddle was the the rage back then. Remember it well.

[@almach5]

Awesome song... I'm going to find it and play out in my car. Thanks for offering!!

[@Multi1628]

There is still much psychedelic magic in this great track, this of course being the definitive version from that time! Never figured out why this group was not promoted more Stateside - thank you for posting this classic DAVEDJ

[@walterfechter8080]

Just as I remember it. This is the best version. I've always dug the phasing. Cadet Concept 45. This one is like taking a ride on a psychedelic carousel with a gorgeous gal.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

this tune would be amazing, if it was cut in stereo!!!!!. the problem was, it was "CUT" on a low budget label.

[@joaotakanorijamjao1312]

wonderful song..reminds my late sister!!!!Her favorite song by STATUS QUO

[@analogue7733]

It was difficult to find a clean copy of this 45, we played it so many times. Great live video (here on KZbin) of them playing it on Top Of The Pops. We ran it once in an after hours take-advantage-of-megawatts of-sound, and it was awesome to hear it that way.

[@ddbash71054]

Thanks ever so much for the memories!! In my teens at this period of time...remember very well the times and prevailing attitudes of the era!!

[@edhalfen7380]

Also has an "Itchycoo Park" feel of the amp being moved in and out from a mike (or however they did it back then) resulting in that beautifully controlled warped sound

[@RavynGuiliani]

+Ed Halfen I believe that is the famous "Leslie Speaker" effect pioneered by the Beatles

[@5roundsrapid263]

Yep. Cream used it on the solo in "Badge", and The First Edition used it on most of the song "Just Dropped In"!

[@5roundsrapid263]

Max Mooney They could move the record head on the tape deck to get phase shift. However, it was much easier just to use a Leslie speaker.

[@NIMRODakaNIMROD]

I think the solo guitar parts like the intro and the solo near the end were recorded through a leslie speaker, hence the pronounced vibrato. The "swooshy" parts were indeeed achieved by flanging though - just like the pre-chorus segments in The Small Faces' "Itchycoo Park". Thus, those are two great "flange" songs of the late sixties but "Pictures of Matchstick Men" boasts some added Leslie-goodness.

[@godfreypoon5148]

It's flanging. Doesn't sound like a Leslie at all.

[@wellsbr01]

This was my first vinyl ever. Early seventies, and I was about 7yrs old. I love this song. In Brasil side B had Gentleman Joe's Sidewalk Cafe.

[@mrtelevision]

They were a one hit wonder in the U.S., but huge stars for years in the U.K. with numerous big hits over there.

[@MattWilson.]

This was their only hit in America. It's worth remembering that Status Quo had dozens of big hits back home in the UK.

[@robertianhawdon]

For the Deluxe edition of Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo a true stereo copy of the album was included on the second disc, but it's quite obvious that it's a very recent mix. Also, two tracks are still fake stereo (Black Veils of Melancholy, and Ice In The Sun). The mono mix still sounds better, especially on this track where one of the guitar (aka the Wah-Wah guitar) track is completely missing.

[@louiewitoski5690]

The single mono mix "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" sounds a lot better than the unmix stereo album track version. So I agree with you absolutely 100%.

[@djreid]

Great song !! I loved hearing this song after school on WABC Radio. Thank you Cousin Brucie.

[@nanlisa]

What a jammin song! Another song that's not played on the air anymore.

[@maximilianogabriel9982]

A timeless Masterpiece !!!

[@TheRattking]

Thank you for this and so many other high-quality uploads. Subscribed.

[@reaperronin8898]

Thank You.... Time long forgotten... 👍👍👍

[@Nostalgico80]

Powerful tune.

[@davydrums2041]

They had 64 top 10 hits in England.

[@mrkidskid]

one of the finest tunes ever done thax for sharing I to have the 45,

[@louiewitoski5690]

A psychedelic classic from 1968.

[@sergiogrdina4390]

Louie Witoski acid

[@louiewitoski5690]

Sergio Grdina Yes. Louie Witoski acid. Pure psychedelic.

[@sergiogrdina4390]

here's your tab! lol

[@timemachinefan]

Orange sunshine; window pane.... Aw, those days. Those days.

[@lucalone]

in Glorious MONO! sounds AWESOME!

[@jimmymelendez1836]

I had a cd that has this great song. Psychedelic Rock at it's finest.

[@johnsampson1096]

Played frequently on 680 WRKO Boston in 1968!

[@MrmelodyUs]

AM???

[@johnsampson1096]

AM 680!

[@louiewitoski5690]

It was played often also on WCFL AM 1000 in Chicago the same year (1968).

[@rongreene7980]

Heard it first on KGB radio (yes, really!), San Diego.

[@patricklanny7939]

thank you for uploading this what memories this brings back!!

[@PlayThemAgain]

Flanging and wah-wah! Hehe! I'd post my play of it, but you beat me to it! I loved this when it came out. The bridge knocks me out! Great post!

[@jasper3042]

Always loved this song, no great vocal talent, but love the tinny guitar riffs. And of course the total authenticity of the person posting!

[@olvinyldude]

Classic turntable, great play!

[@stephensnell5707]

False,notice that the Vinyl is terribly off centred

[@olvinyldude]

@@stephensnell5707 Actually, that is the Blue turntable Mat ! I have a few rather similar...until you see them on video, you don't know. The Record Label itself is, however a bit off center...But that is rather common...Happy Listening!

[@stephensnell5707]

@@olvinyldude well it is good but the off centred record ruins the Video somewhat

[@olvinyldude]

@@stephensnell5707 yes indeed...can make you dizzy, also!

[@bradfordmcglone1984]

Great song, Like the psychedelics of this song.

[@TheTaffycat1]

Great great song.

[@jeffduggan387]

Love this music! Groovy man!😊😁😁

[@esacountrygal]

love your selection of music! I have now subscribed to it and love sharing with my friends. Ahhhhh .....those 60's!!!!

[@AIKevorkian]

This is so cool you have a bunch of 45s that came out right before I was born!

[@timothylogan8128]

ty ty ty for all the good stuff!!

[@scottburton9701]

Next year,this song will be celebrating its 50th anniversary-Still sounds great!

[@iluvrachellef]

Lol this song is the same age as me,i'm getting up there. The intro reminds me of You Keep Me Hangin On by Vanilla Fudge also from my perilous birth year.

[@Aguilarl2006]

This. Is. Rock in 2020 the. Best. Time ❤️🎸☮️🌎

[@Farrah300]

Status Quo is the best!!!

[@pilot3016]

Amazing.. old memories.

[@jvsmith7888]

This group were Superstars in the UK and Europe for decades, yet this is the only hit they ever had in the USA.

[@delphinbringsby6768]

A single. A real rock single. Rossi and Co. are still at it in 2018.

[@zachp6087]

ahhh man its just magic to my ears!! Some chemdawg and off some lean makes it even better.

[@sergiogrdina4390]

Zach P acid :)

[@slant40]

I'm on my third copy of this little gem (all CC 7001 originals) - plumb wore out the first two. One of my favourite songs of 1968, no doubt!

[@bshlomit]

This band had many hits in the UK and allover Europe, far away from being "a one hit wonder". They dropped the "The' from their name in 1970, so check it out on KZbin

[@antoningaming3126]

If new wave music had begun in the 60’s

[@merdemoiii-7589]

My soul loves this

[@missnellaful]

It is about cats, and how their yellow eyes just appear everywhere. And never leave you alone. Thank you for posting this, my SPHYNX LOVES TO HIDE TO IT. ALL CREATURES LOVE THIS MUSIC!♡♡

[@a.r.2012]

I bought this 45 summer of 68 🎸☮️😀

[@pgh45rpms]

Status Quo may have been a one hit wonder in the US but they had a huge UK fanbase, with several Top 40 singles and numerous albums there, since the early 1960's.

[@derekthesec]

Loved this song very much

[@jeffm.2362]

I have this same exact 45! Love it

[@strfltcmnd.9143]

one of the best .

[@dirtypaws6328]

Thank you. Vinyl to digital should be a standard even with new music

[@RHaenJarr]

Ah! I've been searching for this version with extra wah. Yee

[@Jameswilliamson405]

LOVE SONG

[@mickeymousebiker1]

This is like the 60s artwork of Peter Max on vinyl. I remember buying this tune on the same 45 (I dug the record sleeve as much as the sound). Headphone music (like jets flying back and forth inside your head). For Little Steven's Underground Garage. Stay frosty, people.

[@ThursdayisGood]

The riff is melting my brain

[@lucalone]

"you with this guy , you make me cry" great song

[@juliestrom412]

Never heard but thanks. Now it is

[@MattWilson.]

They're One hit wonders in the US only, they had plenty of hits in the UK after they changed their style from psychedelic pop to a bluesy boogie rock

[@TheJust22az]

This, along with the Sounds of Silence, were my only two 45's. I wore them out.

[@soldierski1669]

Thank you

[@arlenebowers326]

Thank you!

[@delphinbringsby6768]

You can hear the 50 cycle hum of the recording gear. I love it

[@stephensnell5707]

Also,notice how badly off centred the Record itself is as well

[@Francisco12G]

​@@stephensnell5707Looks like it's the label not the record

[@WedgePee]

60 cycles! The uploader is American and they have 60 Hz electricity.

[@scullcap357]

He doesn't make it sound good , he makes it sound better .

[@lucalone]

"you in the sky, with this guy, you make me cry..."

[@MrmelodyUs]

Fab!

[@gregoryclemen1870]

I was 7 years old when this tune hit the local airwaves. many singles were mono recordings due to the fact they were played on "A.M." stations that broadcasted in mono, so it would have been a waist to have stereo recordings, I remember the record player that I had at the time was a mono output. the only thing that was stereo was the more expensive units, where you could buy stereo "L.P.s". this tune would have sounded like a million bucks if it was cut in stereo with the cross phasing!!!!.

[@Waggytoon]

Probably the only hit single on the Cadet Concept spinoff label.

[@kennethbesselman5739]

Chess did a lot of experiment after Chuck Berry left the label

[@KenCostlow]

One of my first 45s...

[@MegaCrowman]

man that guitar riff in the beginning and throughout is creepy. sounds like a zombie apocalypse warning siren or something. even as a kid I was creeped out by it

[@pankfan60]

It's the 60's early warning about Trump...50 years ago...

[@rongreene7980]

Tell me about it! The first time I heard it, it sent shivers up my spine--wow!

[@sofiacolombo128]

Had Clinton gotten in, half of Mexico/Central America would have flooded in. Unontrolled Middle Eastern immigration. More disrespect to the military/Police, just like under the Obama administration. Glad that lying,flip flopping,criminal with serious health issues didn't get in. This country was going so far down the shitter under Obama. Look where Dems got us. Grown men using the womens restroom, and giving our tax dollars to pay for illegal immigrants and their healthcare,foodstamps,housing,schooling, and so much more. Glad America is finally turning it's back to the whackjob Dems.

[@mrmjb1960]

It's a Sitar like sound very Eastern Indian sounding!

[@remmymafia3889]

Great, great example of a one hit wonder from this period. I see there's a movie from the 2000's titled 'Matchstick Men'- certainly this song had to be brought to the movie makers attention-never have seen the movie-does anyone know if this song is in the movie? I know there was a movie with Jeff Bridges (90's?) called 'Starman', which I did see. The soundtracked 'screamed' for David Bowie's classic song 'Starman' to be included. (it wasn't)

[@HarvestmanMan]

Love the guitar work on this song! Is it possible you could upload "It's All Too Much" by the Beatles? I requested it a while ago, and you said you would post it shortly, but that was your old channel...-_-

[@mottdehoople]

The dilineation of the soul

[@mikemarvin9248]

The stereo mix is missing the wah wah guitar.

[@classic287]

Closing my eyes, I'm driving down the road in my 65 Rambler......

[@jvolgelstein6278]

The best period

[@thelanpan100]

Good to be born in '55 !

[@David_USF]

RIP Alan Lancaster, founding bassist (7 February 1949 - 25 September 2021)

[@marktubeie07]

...but they were huge in the UK !

[@mysticmrsam]

I was 15 when this song was on the charts. It got all the way to #!12, but for some reason I don't remember it.

[@Gatsby402]

la PARADOJA ... pudiendo escuchar el tema en HD o como se llame lo último en tecno de hoy....akí estamos escuchando, con sobrada NOSTALGIA, la rola k nos llega.

[@antrygis1]

If you ever sniffed glue eons ago you know what this song is about. They are the matchstick men. And you heard what we called the yoi-yoings. They kind of capture the sound around..., Kids, do NOT try this at home! Over 50 years so, the statute of limitations is long gone. Whew.

[@malcolmmarshall5946]

Was popular on KILT AM radio in Houston Texas

[@Bulletbyter]

One hit wonders? Wikipedia doesn't think so. "They have had over 60 chart hits in the UK, more than any other rock band" Unless you're referring to "The Status Quo" (1967) and not "Status Quo" (name changed 2 years later)

[@mikeracca4446]

this would sound great in stereo but it is a great song

[@g33kL]

mono version is better than stereo... for me :D

[@easyace4985]

I'm sure he was thinking only in terms of any success they had in the U.S. It's probably not fair to Status Quo, but in the U.S. they still remain a one-hit wonder. (Though I was surprised their live album of 1977 didn't catch on at a time when live albums in the U.S. were selling like crazy . . .

[@denali1122]

💚

[@SupraSovereign]

Thanks...I resemble that remark. ;)

[@9211goat]

The cream always rises to the top eventually.

[@mrmjb1960]

The Phasing on this mix is missing on the Stereo mix

[@joboots007]

@tubeie07 So big,they opened up the London seg of Live Aid,BTW!!!

[@jason75]

@flyinv1967 A year before I was born, boy I wish I would expereince the 60's I was born the last era of the 60's

[@JuneEmpireOfficial]

Слава Июньской Империи!

[@joycew1560]

i was 9. when this came out yes it did scare me but i love it

[@Chancestodolak]

That wah wah

[@Nostalgico80]

Me too.