"Till Deaf Do Us Part" is the tenth studio album by the British rock band Slade, released on November 16, 1981. The album reached No. 68 on the UK charts, marking a modest success compared to their earlier releases, though it sold well overall. Produced by the band themselves, the album featured a raw, live-sounding rock approach. One of its singles, "Lock Up Your Daughters," became a UK Top 30 hit and was a mainstay in the band’s live shows.
The album followed a period of renewed interest in Slade, sparked by their successful performance at the 1980 Reading Festival and their previous album, We’ll Bring the House Down. However, the lead single "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy," released in May 1981, failed to chart, much to the band's frustration. They attributed the failure to their then-manager Chas Chandler, who disagreed with their choice of the single. This led to the band parting ways with Chandler after a twelve-year partnership, although he still helped secure a major deal with RCA for Till Deaf Do Us Part.
The album was released in December 1981 and included several tracks that quickly became part of Slade's live set, such as "Rock and Roll Preacher," which became their new concert opener. The album’s sound was described as loud and energetic, with an emphasis on rock and volume. The title track, "Till Deaf Do Us Part," reflected this theme of loudness, with lyrics about being "deafened" by the music. The album also saw the inclusion of more organ sounds compared to their previous albums, which band members felt gave the record a stronger, more solid rock feel.
"Ruby Red," a track originally written in 1978 but not fully recorded until Till Deaf Do Us Part, was released as the third single in March 1982 and reached No. 51 on the UK charts. Another track, "Rock and Roll Preacher," was released in Germany and charted at No. 49. Guitarist Dave Hill described the album as a "thumper," aiming for a live-show-like sound in the studio with plenty of guts and melody.
In addition to the songs mentioned, "M'Hat, M'Coat" was written spontaneously by Hill during the band's European tours and recorded quickly in the studio, contributing to its impromptu, energetic feel. Overall, Till Deaf Do Us Part is characterized by its high-energy rock, with themes of loudness and power running through its tracks. While the album wasn’t a massive chart-topping success, it contributed to the band's ongoing popularity and was an important part of Slade's discography in the early 1980s.
