Chat Board - Silver Wham Bam

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Silver Wham Bam

Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
Forum Name: Chat Board
Forum Description: Chat away but please observe the chat board rules
URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10324
Printed Date: 29 December 2025 at 7:02pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Silver Wham Bam

Posted By: rnell
Subject: Silver Wham Bam
Date Posted: 29 December 2025 at 2:44pm

Does anybody know the story behind this single being issued with two different names: I have two singles under the same Arista number (AS 0189) with different names: Wham Bam and Wham Bam Shang-a-lang.

Replies:

Posted By: Santi Paradoa
Date Posted: 29 December 2025 at 3:43pm

The early 45 pressings had the Shang-A-Lang, but eventually the later 45 pressings had the shortened title.

The Bay City Rollers had a 1974 UK #2 hit with a song titled "Shang-A-Lang." Both artists were on the same Arista label.

Looks like the decision was made to shorten the title on the Silver release to avoid confusion.

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Santi Paradoa

Miami, Florida

Posted By: rnell
Date Posted: 29 December 2025 at 4:44pm

Strange decision given the fact that BCR's Shang-a-lang was never a hit in the USA. I wonder if name change by Arista was made while single was climbing the chart or after it had peaked. I also have the spanish 7" with the Wham Bam Shang-a-lang name.