Motorhead (Motörhead song)

For the 1981 live recording, see Motorhead (live).

"Motorhead"
Single by Motörhead
from the album Motörhead
B-side	"City Kids"
Released	June 1977
Format	7"
Recorded	Escape Studios London 1977
Genre	Hard rock, heavy metal
Length	3:13
Label	Chiswick Records
Writer(s)	Ian Kilmister
Producer	Speedy Keen
Motörhead singles chronology
"Leaving Here" (1977) "Motörhead" (1977) "Louie Louie" (1978)
Audio sample file info · help Alternative cover 1979 Chiswick picture disc (B-side)

"Motorhead" was recorded and released by Motörhead as a 7" vinyl single in June 1977, initially issued with the 'Map Of Chiswick' label, later it was switched to the 'Big Beat' label and pressed in other formats.^[1] The reverse cover is taken up almost entirely with the song's lyrics, printed in a lowercase form of blackletter. Most of the original singles have the words "a porky prime cut" inscribed on the run-out groove, indicating that the record was mastered by George Peckham. A variety of supporting messages also appear.^{[clarification needed]}

Chiswick also released a special 12" vinyl edition which was limited to 12,500 copies, it has the same sleeve, tracks and catalogue number - Chiswick S13.^[2]

On April 28, 1979 Lemmy was interviewed by John Tobler on BBC Radio 1's 'Rock on Saturday' show, "Motorhead", "Leaving Here" and "Limb from Limb" were played.^[1]

Various vinyl editions of the single "Motörhead"

In September 1979 Chiswick released a 7" vinyl picture disc in two pressings, black & white, and blue & white as well as single colour pressings in black, blue, pink, orange and white vinyl - catalogued Big Beat NSP13 and NS13 respectively.^[2]

In 1981, a live recording, "Motorhead" was released as a single and reached #6 in the UK Singles Charts.^[2]

In 2008 The song was released as DLC for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, with two other Motörhead songs.

It was covered by Primal Scream on their 1997 album Vanishing Point.

Single track listing

1. "Motorhead" (Ian Kilmister)
2. "City Kids" (Larry Wallis, Duncan Sanderson)

Personnel

• Fast Eddie Clarke – Guitars, vocals
• Philthy Animal Taylor – Drums
• Lemmy (Ian Kilmister) – Bass, lead vocals
• Engineered by John Burns.
• Photographs - Motorcycle Irene.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Burridge, Alan Illustrated Collector's Guide to Motörhead Published: 1995, Collector's Guide Publishing ISBN 0-9695736-2-6. Section reference for Special Releases.
2. ^ ^{a b c} Burridge, Alan (April 1991). "Motörhead". Record Collector (140): 17–18 and 21.