Frank Zappa 12" Singles

6-6-08 Frank Zappa – 12” Singles

Most people don’t think of Mr. Zappa as a ‘singles artist’ – but he released many singles from the mid-60’s to the mid-80’s. Today, I will try and illuminate his 12” single releases.

BOBBY BROWN CBS NL CBS 12-7485

1979 2 TRKS no pic sleeve

DANCIN' FOOL CBS NL CBS 12-7261

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

DANCIN' FOOL promo ZAPPA US MK-83

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

GIRL IN THE MAGNESIUM DRESS ANGEL US SPRO-9207

1984 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

GOBLIN GIRL BARKING PUM W99 02616

1981? 2 TRKS picture disc

I DON'T WANNA GET DRAFTED ZAPPA CAN ZR 1001

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I DON'T WANNA GET DRAFTED ZAPPA US ZRP-21

1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

JOE'S GARAGE E.P. promo ZAPPA US MK-129

1979 6 TRK EP with pic sleeve; promo

JOE'S GARAGE promo ZAPPA US MK-107

1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo-only

MAN FROM UTOPIA (Clean Cuts) BARKING PUM AS 1594

1983 4 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo-only

SHEIK YERBOUTI (Clean Cuts) ZAPPA US MK-78

1979 7 TRK EP with pic sleeve, promo

SHUT UP & PLAY YOUR GUITAR (Sampler) BARKING PUM AS 1569

1981 3 TRKS with pic sleeve, promo

TINSELTOWN REBELLION (Clean Cuts) BARKING PUM AS 995

1981 5 TRK EP with pic sleeve, promo-only

TRUE GLOVE EMI DE 1CK062 2003876

1984 4 TRKS with pic sleeve

VALLEY GIRL BARKING PUM 4W9 03069

1982 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, stock copy

VALLEY GIRL (Long) / (Short) BARKING PUM AS 1485

1982 2 TRKS promo

YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS CBS US A11 1622

1981 4 TRKS picture disc

The ‘extended version’ of “Dancin’ Fool” is rather difficult to find, and it is much longer. I like the promo-only ‘clean cuts’ releases – as sometimes they highlight songs found on the corresponding albums as individual cuts – as opposed to segued into a larger suite of songs. For the US, I believe the sole ones released to the public are “Valley Girl”, “You Are What You Is” (pic disc) and “Goblin Girl” (pic disc). The European got a few different than the US, with actual releases for “Bobby Brown”, “Dancin’ Fool” and “True Glove” – a sampler 12” for the “Them or Us” album.

Most of FZ’s US 12” records were promotional items issued by his various record companies for the purposes of promotion. I think the only ‘promo’ that ever worked for FZ was for “Valley Girl”, which became a bit of a hit – in L.A., anyway.

I miss Frank a lot, and I am happy to have a vast collection of his works to ponder over.