Handbags and Gladrags

"Handbags and Gladrags" is a song written in 1967 by Mike d'Abo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann. D'Abo describes the song as "saying to a teenage girl that the way to happiness is not through being trendy. There are deeper values."[1]

"Handbags and Gladrags"
Stateside (Australia) record cover
Single by Chris Farlowe
B-side"Everyone Makes a Mistake"
Released17 November 1967 (1967-11-17)
RecordedEarly 1967
GenreRhythm and blues, blue-eyed soul
Length3:30
LabelImmediate
Songwriter(s)Mike d'Abo
Producer(s)Mike d'Abo
Chris Farlowe singles chronology
"Moanin'"
(1967)		 "Handbags and Gladrags"
(1967)		 "The Last Goodbye"
(1968)

The first released version of the song was by Chris Farlowe in 1967, and later interpretations by Rod Stewart (1969) and Stereophonics (2001) were also commercially successful. An arrangement by Big George was the theme for The Office starting in July 2001.

The demo tape of the original version of the song was discovered in 2004 in a closet belonging to bassist Mo Foster. It was amongst a collection of studio recordings d'Abo had recorded in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The collection was eventually released in 2004, on the Angel Air label, under the title Hidden Gems & Treasured Friends.[2]

Chris Farlowe version

In November 1967, singer Chris Farlowe was the first to release a version of the song, produced by Mike d'Abo.[3] It became a #33 hit in the United Kingdom for Immediate Records. This arrangement of the song included Dave Greenslade's piano blues-scale riff. The song was included as track 13 (of 14) on Farlowe's 1969 compilation album The Last Goodbye.[4]

Rod Stewart version
"Handbags and Gladrags"
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down
B-side"Man of Constant Sorrow"
ReleasedMay 1970 (US)
Recorded1969
Length4:24
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Mike d'Abo
Producer(s)Lou Reizner
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Dirty Old Town"
(1971)		 "Handbags and Gladrags"
(1970)		 "You Wear It Well"
(1972)
Audio sample
  • file
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In 1969, Rod Stewart recorded a version for the album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down. This version of the song was arranged by Mike d'Abo, who also played piano on the recording. The song failed to garner significant sales or airplay in the United States, but when it was re-released as a single in 1972, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at 42 in March.[5] In 1993, Stewart recorded a live version of the song during his session for MTV Unplugged. This version was included on the album Unplugged...and Seated.

Although it was never a hit single for Stewart in the UK, in recognition of its renewed popularity following its use for television series The Office and Stereophonics returning it to the charts, he performed "Handbags and Gladrags" (backed by Phil Collins on drums) as his only song at the Party at the Palace in 2002.

The original record arrangement includes a "plaintive oboe phrasing".[6]

Record World said Stewart "sounds fabulous."[7]

In 1989, Rod Stewart's version of the song was used in the Season One episode of the TV series Midnight Caller entitled "No Exit".

Chase version

In 1971, Bill Chase and his jazz/rock fusion group Chase recorded a version as a single. It was included on their 1971 debut album Chase. It was sung by Ted Piercefield.

Jon English version

In 1973, English-born Australian musician Jon English released his version as his debut single, from his debut studio album Wine Dark Sea.

Stereophonics version
"Handbags and Gladrags"
Single by Stereophonics
from the album Just Enough Education to Perform
B-side
Released3 December 2001 (2001-12-03)
Length4:46
LabelV2
Songwriter(s)Mike d'Abo
Producer(s)
  • Laurie Latham
  • Stereophonics
Stereophonics singles chronology
"Step on My Old Size Nines"
(2001)		 "Handbags and Gladrags"
(2001)		 "Vegas Two Times"
(2002)
Music video
"Handbags and Gladrags" on YouTube

In 2001, Welsh rock band Stereophonics released a version of the song on single. It was subsequently added to their previous album's re-release Just Enough Education to Perform as track seven and on their first compilation album as the final track.[8][9] The band originally recorded their version as a demo "for a laugh", but after the record company heard it they saw the potential of it being a single and subsequently had it commissioned as one.[10] Despite receiving criticism, it became one of their most successful singles; in Ireland it peaked at number three and was certified gold in the UK.

Release and reception

The song was released as a single on 3 December 2001.[11] Four different releases were made available to the public, this included: two CDs,[12][13] 7-inch vinyl,[14] and cassette.[15] The first CD released included two more covers, Ewan MacColl's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and John Lennon's "How?".[12] The second CD contained a live version of "Caravan Holiday" and "Nice to be Out", both from Just Enough Education to Perform.[13] The 7-inch vinyl only had "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for a B-side,[14] as did the cassette format.[15] A maxi-CD, released in Europe and Australia, includes all five songs but not the live version of "Handbags and Gladrags".[16]

Following on from the "Mr. Writer" critical backlash, the song received a negative review from Drowned in Sound reviewer Anita Bhagwandas.[17] Bhagwandas described it as the "final drop in the Stereophonics' inevitable descent into pop mediocrity" and criticised the group for "selling out."[17]

Track listings
UK CD 1[12]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Handbags and Gladrags"d'Abo 
2."First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"Ewan MacColl 
3."How?"John Lennon 
UK CD 2[13]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Handbags and Gladrags" (live acoustic version)d'Abo 
2."Caravan Holiday" (live acoustic version)Kelly Jones 
3."Nice to Be Out" (live acoustic version)Jones 
UK 7-inch vinyl and cassette single[14][15]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Handbags and Gladrags"d'Abo 
2."First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"MacColl 
European and Australian maxi-CD[16]
No.TitleLyricsLength
1."Handbags and Gladrags"d'Abo 
2."First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"MacColl 
3."How?"Lennon 
4."Caravan Holiday" (live acoustic version)Jones 
5."Nice to Be Out" (live acoustic version)Jones 

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Platinum 600,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The Office theme song

In 2000, a version of "Handbags and Gladrags" was specifically arranged by Big George as the theme song on the BBC series The Office. Three versions were recorded:

  • a short, instrumental piece as the opening titles theme
  • a short, vocal piece as the closing titles theme
  • an alternative full studio version

Both vocal versions were sung by Waysted vocalist Fin Muir.

In Episode Four of Series One, a version performed by Ricky Gervais (in character as David Brent) was played over the end credits.

Version release history
Year Artist Type
1967 Chris Farlowe Single
1967 Double Feature Single
1968 Love Affair Album
1969 Kate Taylor Album & single
1969 The Rationals Album (CREWE CR-1334)
1969 Rod Stewart Album
1971 Chase Album & single
1971 Gary Burton Album
1971 Jimmy Witherspoon Album
1973 Jon English Single
1974 Mike d'Abo Album
1975 Chris Farlowe Album (Live recording)
1977 Kirka Babitzin Album
1992 Mary Coughlan Album
1993 Rod Stewart Album (Acoustic recording)
2001 Stereophonics Single
2002 Rod Stewart Album (Live recording)
2003 Manfred Mann Album
2004 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Album
2005 Chris Farlowe Album (Live recording)
2005 Dark One Lite Album
2007 Engelbert Humperdinck Album
2007 Waysted Album
2007 Jonathan Sass Album
2008 Jackie Trent Album
2008 Ol' Cheeky Bastards Album
2008 Karl Jenkins Album

References
  1. Goodman, Chris (9 February 2003). "From Gladrags to Riches". Sunday Express. Express Newspapers. p. 66.
  2. "Hidden Gems & Treasured Friends". Angel Air Records. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  3. "Chris Farlowe - Handbags And Gladrags / Everyone Makes A Mistake - Immediate - UK - IM 065". 45cat. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. "The Last Goodbye - Chris Farlowe | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 806.
  6. Butler, Jackie (3 October 2014). "A Special Audience with Mike d'Abo". Western Morning News. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  7. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Record World. 14 February 1970. p. 8. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  8. "Just Enough Education To Perform [Extra Tracks]". Stereophonics. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  9. "Decade in the Sun: Best of Stereophonics". Stereophonics. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  10. "'Handbags and Gladrags' - Stereophonics keyboardist Tony Kirkham". BIMM. Archived from the original on 6 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  11. "New Releases – For Week Starting December 3, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1 December 2001. p. 23. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  12. Handbags and Gladrags (UK CD1 liner notes). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2001. VVR5017753.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Handbags and Gladrags (UK CD2 liner notes). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2001. VVR5017758.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Handbags and Gladrags (UK 7-inch vinyl sleeve). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2001. VVR5017757.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. "Handbags & Gladrags [CASSETTE]". Stereophonics. 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  16. Handbags and Gladrags (European & Australian maxi-CD single liner notes). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2001. VVR5018733.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. Bhagwandas, Anita (19 November 2001). "Stereophonics Handbags and Gladrags". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2001.
  18. Decade in the Sun (CD). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. "Stereophonics – Handbags and Gladrags" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  20. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19, no. 52. 22 December 2001. p. 23. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  21. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Handbags and Gladrags". Irish Singles Chart.
  22. "Stereophonics – Handbags and Gladrags" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  24. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  25. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  26. "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  27. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  28. "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  29. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  30. "British single certifications – Stereophonics – Hangbags and Gladrags". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
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