Old New Borrowed and Blue was recorded amid various touring and promotional activities in late 1973, and also during the headline-making recovery of drummer Don Powell, who was involved in a near-fatal car crash in July, briefly throwing the band's existence into doubt.

Despite his critical condition, Powell was able to make a recovery and the band soon entered the studio to record material for their new album.

During recording of "My Friend Stan", Powell was still walking with the aid of a stick and had to be lifted onto his drum stool.

On the album, the band attempted to continue their usual formula on some tracks, while others took a change in musical direction.

In the UK, Old New Borrowed and Blue was awarded Gold by BPI prior to its release, based purely on pre-order sales.

[5][6] At the time, a Slade spokesman had reported to the Record Mirror: "The album has sold twice as many cartridges and cassettes than their previous offerings.

"[10] The song was later covered by Bob Segarini in 1978[11] and American rock group Cheap Trick on their 2009 album The Latest.

In a 1974 fab club interview, Powell stated: "Pub piano is played by a local landlord, Tommy Burton.

[16] Of the up-tempo tracks "We're Really Gonna Raise the Roof" and "Do We Still Do It", AllMusic stated: "Slade fans can be assured that these guys hadn't lost the will to rock out.

Jim Lea was totally opposed to it being an A-side and argued with Chandler for the duration[21] of a flight from the UK to Australia.

[22] The song featured Lea on guitar as guitarist Dave Hill was away on honeymoon at the time of the recording sessions.

[28] AllMusic retrospectively stated that the album saw Slade's "songwriting efforts" enter "more mellow pastures".

All tracks are written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, except "Just Want a Little Bit" by John Thornton, Ralph Bass, Earl Washington, Piney Brown and Sylvester ThompsonSlade Additional personnel