HERO AND HEROINE
A&M, 1974
Release date: 12 Apr 1974 (UK) - see note below on dated copy.
A return to epic style with the title track of the new album; probably a stronger single than "Shine On Silver Sun", but it was never going to get very far with the BBC, owing to the obvious drug references.
Some European releases (Germany and Spain) had a different B-side: "Round And Round".
Portugal, Yugoslavia , Australia and NZ followed the UK choice of B-side with "Why".
And Thailand of course put the track out as an EP with three others from non-related artists.
UK vinyl
Europe vinyl
Asia Pacific vinyl
Back to main 1973-1975 singles page
UK VINYL
UK release
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Why" (Cousins)
(AMS 7105, A&M, 1974)
The B-side "Why" is the first segment of the three-part mini-epic "Why And Wherefore" and, unlike "And Wherefore" as released on the B-side of "Shine On Silver Sun", is identical to that version.
Not certain there was ever a promo version of this: I have certainly never seen any evidence of one.
Spotted online a dated copy - not clear whether that refers to the release date or the date the receipient got it. Review dates suggest that it is probably the former:
EUROPE VINYL
Spanish release
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Round And Round" (Cousins)
(13275 A, A&M, 1974)
Rather than non-album track "Why", the Spanish release lifted "Round And Round" from the album. The edit begins on the first drum/bass beat of the instrumental section of the song.
German release (*+slv)
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Round And Round" (Cousins)
(13275 AT, A&M, 1974)
Very similar to the cover of the Spanish release, with an advert for the Hero And Heroine album on the rear of the sleeve.
Portuguese release
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Why" (Cousins)
(8E 006 96075 MG, A&M, 1974)
Over in Portugal, non-album track "Why" was the B-side and the sleeve uses the dove image from the album.
Yugoslavian release
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Why" (Cousins)
(SAM 88766) A&M, 1974)
The Yugoslavians liked the dove so much they stuck it on the back cover too.
ASIA PACIFIC VINYL
Australian release (AB)(*)
"Hero And Heroine (Cousins)"/
"Why" (Cousins)
(K 5549, A&M, 1974)
This Australian release is possibly a promo and has a date stamp of 2 Jul 1974. Scans from Alison Brown collection.
New Zealand release
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousins)/
"Why" (Cousins)
(K 5549, A&M, 1974)
No picture sleeve for the New Zealand release.
Thailand EP
"Hero And Heroine" (Cousi s) plus 3 tracks by other artists
(Cashbox KS-254, Not dated)
Another Thai EP, this time featuring Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Bad Company and ZZ Top as well as the Strawbs. "Heroine" is mis-spelled on both the sleeve and the label.
