5-4-3-2-1

"5-4-3-2-1" is a 1964 song by British band Manfred Mann. It was written by Mann, Mike Hugg and Paul Jones, and peaked at #5 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] thanks to weekly television exposure from being the theme tune for the ITV pop music television programme Ready Steady Go!.[2] This would be the last single released before bass player Dave Richmond left the band.[3]

For the film, see 54321.
"5-4-3-2-1"
Single by Manfred Mann
from the EP Manfred Mann's Cock-a-Hoop
B-side"Without You"
Released10 January 1964
Recorded17 December 1963
StudioAbbey Road Studios, London
Genre
Length1:59
LabelHis Master's Voice–EMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)John Burgess
Manfred Mann singles chronology
"Cock-a-Hoop"
(1963)		 "5-4-3-2-1"
(1964)		 "Hubble Bubble (Toil and Trouble)"
(1964)

In an interview with Uncut, keyboardist Manfred Mann said that he regarded Ready Steady Go as being like a rocket, and wrote the song as a countdown to launch it.[4] The song contains the self-referential lyric "Uh-huh, it was the Mannnn-freds!".

Upon the success of the single, the group authored the follow-up single "Hubble Bubble (Toil and Trouble)", which peaked at disappointing #11 in the UK.[1] Due to this they resorted to recording a cover song as their next release. This release was "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" which became a trans-atlantic #1 hit for them.[5]

In 1997 the Spice Girls' jingle used to introduce Channel 5 was loosely based on 5-4-3-2-1.[6] British supermarket chain Tesco used the song in adverts for £5 off a £40 spend in 2012.

Personnel

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 345–346. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 258. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
  3. Jazz4now – The Dave Richmond Home Page "Please note that "5-4-3-2-1" was recorded before I left the band, in fact I still receive PPL payments every time it is broadcast" – Dave Richmond
  4. "5-4-3-2-1 by Manfred Mann". Songfacts. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  5. Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 258. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
  6. "Remember when the Spice Girls launched Channel 5 in 1997?". Metro. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
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