The Biggest Prize in Sport

The Biggest Prize in Sport
Cover art of The Biggest Prize in Sport
Studio album by
999
Released 18 January 1980
Recorded August 1979
Genre Pop punk, new wave
Length 46:43
Label Polydor
Producer Vic Maile
999 chronology
Separates
(1978) 		The Biggest Prize in Sport
(1980) 		Concrete
(1981)

The Biggest Prize in Sport is the third studio album by English punk/rock band 999. It peaked at No. 177 on the U.S. Billboard Album Chart. The album was re-released on CD in 1999 on Anagram Records. Nick Cash: "Pablo (Labritain) broke his arm in ’78, two days before we were doing a show at the SO36 Club in Berlin. Ed (Case) was part of our following, the Southall Crew. We went to the rehearsal and he knew all the songs note perfect. He was very young, about 17. He was fantastic and got a standing ovation. He was a brilliant drummer. From that, Ed then went on to play with Hazel O'Connor, and then worked at the Victoria Theatre playing the drummer in Buddy the Musical."

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic
Smash Hits 5/10

Trouser Press called the album "trebly and lifeless, except for the poppy title track, which sounds like an East End Ramones."

Charts

Year Chart Peak
Posizion
1980 US Billboard 200 177

Track listing

Tracks of the US and Canada releases of the album are in a different order than the UK and European releases. The 1999 CD release has the same track listing of the UK/EU edition, and three bonus tracks.

All tracks are written by Nick Cash and Guy Days, except where noted

Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Boys in the Gang"   2:45
2. "Inside Out"   2:02
3. "Trouble"   2:32
4. "So Long"   2:44
5. "Fun Thing"   3:35
6. "The Biggest Prize in Sport" Nick Cash, Guy Days, Jon Watson 3:00
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Hollywood"   3:01
2. "Stranger"   3:13
3. "Stop! Stop!"   2:04
4. "English Wipeout"   3:27
5. "Shake"   2:26
6. "Boiler" Nick Cash, Guy Days, Pablo Labritain, Jon Watson 3:47
Total length: 46:43
1999 CD bonus tracks
No. Title Writer(s) Length
13. "Made a Fool of You" Jon Watson 3:15
14. "Found out to Late"   3:40
15. "Lie Lie Lie"   2:59
Total length: 56:37

Personnel

999
  • Nick Cash – lead vocals, guitar
  • Guy Days – guitar, backing vocals
  • Jon Watson – bass, backing vocals
  • Eddie Case – drums, backing vocals
  • Pablo Labritain – composer
Production

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
Canada 1979 Polydor Records LP PD-1-6256
Germany 1979 Albion Records LP POLSC 1013
Germany 1979 Albion Records, Ariola Records LP 201 331-320
Netherlands 1979 Ariola Benelux B.V., Polydor Records LP 201 331-320, 201 331
United States 1979 Polydor Records LP, promo PD-1-6256
United States 1980 Polydor Records LP PD-1-6256
United Kingdom 1980 Polydor Records LP POLS 1013
United States 1980 Polydor Records LP PD-1-6256
France, Greece 1980 Polydor Records LP 2383 563
Norway, Sweden 1980 Albion Records LP 9198 728
United Kingdom 1999 Anagram Records CD CD Punk 67