Handbags and Gladrags - wikipedia Handbags and Gladrags `` Handbags and Gladrags '' Stateside ( USA ) record cover Single by Chris Farlowe B - side `` Everyone Makes A Mistake '' Released 17 November 1967 ( 1967 - 11 - 17 ) Format 7 '' Recorded Early 1967 Genre Rhythm and blues, blue - eyed soul Length 3 : 30 Label Immediate Songwriter ( s ) Mike d'Abo Producer ( s ) Mike d'Abo Chris Farlowe singles chronology `` Moanin ' '' ( 1967 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' ( 1967 ) `` Paint It Black '' ( 1968 ) `` Moanin ' '' ( 1967 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' ( 1967 ) `` Paint It Black '' ( 1968 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' Mike d'Abo ( 1970 ). The Mike D'Abo Collection, Vol I -- Handbags and Gladrags. RPM ( 2001 ) via iTunes Problems playing this file ? See media help. `` Handbags and Gladrags '' Rod Stewart ( vocal ), Mike d'Abo ( author, piano ). 20th Century Masters -- The Millennium Collection : The Best of Rod Stewart, UMG ( 1999 ) via iTunes, ( Vertigo Records 1970 ) Problems playing this file ? See media help. `` 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. '' The original demo tape of the original version of the song was discovered in 2004 in a closet belonging to Mo Foster. It was amongst a collection of studio recordings d'Abo had recorded in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The collection, including the demo recording, was eventually released on the Angel Air label under the title of Hidden Gems & Treasured Friends. Contents 1 Chris Farlowe version 2 Rod Stewart version 3 Chase version 4 Stereophonics version 4.1 Release and reception 4.2 Track listing 4.3 Personnel 4.4 Charts and certifications 4.4. 1 Weekly charts 4.4. 2 Certifications 5 The Office theme song 6 Version release history 7 References 8 External links Chris Farlowe version In November 1967, singer Chris Farlowe was the first to release a version of the song, produced by Mike d'Abo. It became a # 33 hit in the United Kingdom for Immediate Records. This arrangement of the song featured Dave Greenslade 's piano blues - scale riff. The song was included as track 13 ( of 14 ) on Farlowe 's 1969 album The Last Goodbye. Rod Stewart version `` Handbags and Gladrags '' Single by Rod Stewart from the album An Old Raincoat Wo n't Ever Let You Down B - side `` Man of Constant Sorrow '' Released 1972 Length 4 : 24 Label Mercury Songwriter ( s ) Mike d'Abo Producer ( s ) Lou Reizner Rod Stewart singles chronology `` Dirty Old Town '' ( 1971 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' ( 1972 ) `` You Wear It Well '' ( 1972 ) `` Dirty Old Town '' ( 1971 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' ( 1972 ) `` You Wear It Well '' ( 1972 ) In 1969, Rod Stewart recorded a version for the album An Old Raincoat Wo n'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 managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at 42 in March. In 1993, he recorded a live version of the song during his session for MTV Unplugged. This version was included on the album Unplugged... and Seated. When introducing the song on the 2004 live recording of One Night Only ! Rod Stewart Live at Royal Albert Hall, Stewart asked the audience to recall who `` else did it '' and then stated `` I did it first ! '' 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 ''. 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. Stereophonics version `` Handbags and Gladrags '' Single by Stereophonics from the album Just Enough Education to Perform B - side `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' `` How ? '' Released December 3, 2001 Format CD vinyl cassette Recorded 2001 Genre Soft rock Length 4 : 46 Label V2 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 ) `` 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. 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. 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. Five different releases were made available to the public, this included : two CDs, maxi - CD, vinyl and cassette. The first CD released included two more covers, Ewan MacColl 's `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' and John Lennon 's `` How ? ''. The second CD contained a live version of `` Caravan Holiday '' and `` Nice to be Out '', both from Just Enough Education to Perform. The 7 '' vinyl only had `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' for a b - side, as did the cassette format. The maxi - CD includes all five songs but not the live version of `` Handbags and Gladrags ''. Following on from the `` Mr. Writer '' critical backlash, the song received a negative review from Drowned in Sound reviewer Anita Bhagwandas. Bhagwandas described it as the `` final drop in the Stereophonics ' inevitable descent into pop mediocrity '' and criticised the group for `` selling out. '' Track listing CD 1 No. Title Lyrics Length 1. `` Handbags and Gladrags '' d'Abo 2. `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' Ewan MacColl 3. `` How ? '' John Lennon CD 2 No. Title Lyrics Length 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 7 '' vinyl No. Title Lyrics Length 1. `` Handbags and Gladrags '' d'Abo 2. `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' MacColl Maxi - CD No. Title Lyrics Length 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 Cassette No. Title Lyrics Length 1. `` Handbags and Gladrags '' d'Abo 2. `` First Time Ever I Saw Your Face '' MacColl Personnel Stereophonics Kelly Jones -- lead vocals, guitar Richard Jones -- bass guitar Stuart Cable -- drums Additional Scott James -- guitar Jools Holland 's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra Technical Production -- Laurie Latham, Stereophonics Engineering -- Latham Charts and certifications Weekly charts Chart ( 2001 - 2002 ) Peak position Belgium ( Ultratip Flanders ) 9 Ireland ( IRMA ) Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 57 Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales United Kingdom ( BPI ) Gold 400,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments 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 feature the vocal performance of Waysted vocalist Fin Muir. In Series One, Episode Four, a version performed by Ricky Gervais ( in character as David Brent ) was featured 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 Mike D'Abo Album Chris Farlowe Album ( Live recording ) 1977 Kirka Babitzin Album Mary Coughlan Album Rod Stewart Album ( Acoustic recording ) 2001 Stereophonics Single 2002 Rod Stewart Album ( Live recording ) 2003 Manfred Mann Album 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 Jump up ^ Goodman, Chris ( 9 February 2003 ). `` From Gladrags to Riches ''. Sunday Express. Express Newspapers. p. 66. Jump up ^ `` Hidden Gems & Treasured Friends ''. Angel Air Records. Retrieved 2009 - 06 - 07. Jump up ^ `` Chris Farlowe - Handbags And Gladrags / Everyone Makes A Mistake - Immediate - UK - IM 065 ''. 45cat. Retrieved 2014 - 06 - 28. Jump up ^ `` The Last Goodbye - Chris Farlowe Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2014 - 06 - 28. Jump up ^ Butler, Jackie ( October 3, 2014 ). `` A Special Audience with Mike d'Abo ''. Western Morning News. Retrieved 23 September 2016. Jump up ^ `` Just Enough Education To Perform ( Extra Tracks ) ''. Stereophonics. Amazon.com. 1 July 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Decade in the Sun : Best of Stereophonics ''. Stereophonics. Amazon.com. 10 November 2008. Retrieved 1 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` ' Handbags and Gladrags ' - Stereophonics keyboardist Tony Kirkham ''. BIMM. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015. Jump up ^ `` Handbags & Gladrags ''. The Stereophonics Ltd. 3 December 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Stereophonics -- Handbags And Gladrags ''. Discogs. Retrieved 10 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Stereophonics -- Handbags And Gladrags ( Acoustic CD ) ''. Discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Stereophonics -- Handbags And Gladrags ''. Discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2001. ^ Jump up to : `` Stereophonics -- Handbags And Gladrags ''. Discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Handbags & Gladrags ( CASSETTE ) ''. Stereophonics. Amazon.com. 2001. Retrieved 1 April 2014. ^ Jump up to : Bhagwandas, Anita ( 19 November 2001 ). `` Stereophonics Handbags and Gladrags ''. Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 1 April 2001. ^ Jump up to : Decade in the Sun ( CD ). Stereophonics. V2 Records. 2008. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Stereophonics -- Handbags and Gladrags '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratip. Jump up ^ `` The Irish Charts -- Search Results -- Handbags and Gladrags ''. Irish Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Stereophonics -- Handbags and Gladrags '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ `` Certified Awards - Search by parameters ''. BPI. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2014. Note : `` Stereophonics '' has to be searched manually. External links Trilogy Rock : Mike D'Abo Interview ( 2009 ) Jon English Discography Studio albums Wine Dark Sea ( 1973 ) It 's All a Game ( 1974 ) Hollywood Seven ( 1976 ) Minutes To Midnight ( 1977 ) Words Are Not Enough ( 1978 ) Calm Before the Storm ( 1980 ) In Roads ( 1981 ) Jokers and Queens ( with Marcia Hines ) ( 1982 ) Some People... ( with The Foster Brothers ) ( 1982 ) Dark Horses ( 1987 ) Live albums Beating the Boards ( 1982 ) The Rock Show ( 2012 ) Soundtracks & Cast recordings Jesus Christ Superstar ( 1972 ) Ned Kelly ( 1974 ) Against the Wind ( 1978 ) Street Hero ( 1984 ) Paris ( 1990 ) The Pirates of Penzance ( 1994 ) Buskers and Angels ( 2000 ) Compilation albums English History ( 1979 ) Modern English : 16 Great Hits ( 1983 ) The Best of Jon English ( 1993 ) English History II ( 2001 ) Mot Alle Vindar -- Six Ribbons ( 2007 ) Legends -- Jon English ( 2008 ) Six Ribbons - The Ultimate Collection ( 2011 ) History ( 2016 ) Singles `` Handbags and Gladrags '' `` Close Every Door '' `` Turn the Page '' `` Lovin ' Arms '' `` Hollywood Seven '' `` Behind Blue Eyes '' `` Six Ribbons '' `` Get Your Love Right '' `` Hot Town '' `` Straight from the Heart '' `` Josephine ( Too Many Secrets ) '' `` Stand By Me '' Film, TV & Theare Jesus Christ Superstar ( 1972 ) Matlock Police ( 1975 ) Against the Wind ( 1978 ) Touch and Go ( 1980 ) All Together Now ( 1991 -- 93 ) The Pirates of Penzance ( 1994 ) The Mikado ( 1996 ) HMS Pinafore ( 1997 ) Walk the Talk ( 2000 ) Time Trackers ( 2007 ) Awards Logie Awards of 1979 Best New Talent Countdown Awards of 1979 Most Popular Male Performer Green Room Awards of 1983 Male Actor in a Leading Role Mo Awards of 1983 -- 85 Entertainer of the Year ARIA Music Awards of 1991 Best Soundtrack Related articles Sebastian Hardie `` You 're Not Alone ( Australian Olympians song ) '' Countdown Spectacular ( 2006 ) Stereophonics Kelly Jones Richard Jones Adam Zindani Jamie Morrison Stuart Cable Javier Weyler Studio albums Word Gets Around Performance and Cocktails Just Enough Education to Perform You Gotta Go There to Come Back Language. Sex. Violence. Other ? Pull the Pin Keep Calm and Carry On Graffiti on the Train Keep the Village Alive Scream Above the Sounds Live albums Live from Dakota Compilations and EPs Live from London EP Decade in the Sun : Best of Stereophonics Singles `` Local Boy in the Photograph '' `` More Life in a Tramps Vest '' `` A Thousand Trees '' `` Traffic '' `` The Bartender and the Thief '' `` Just Looking '' `` Pick a Part That 's New '' `` I Would n't Believe Your Radio '' `` Hurry Up and Wait '' `` Mama Told Me Not to Come '' `` Mr. Writer '' `` Have a Nice Day '' `` Step on My Old Size Nines '' `` Handbags and Gladrags '' `` Vegas Two Times '' `` Madame Helga '' `` Maybe Tomorrow '' `` Since I Told You It 's Over '' `` Moviestar '' `` Dakota '' `` Superman '' `` Devil '' `` Rewind '' `` It Means Nothing '' `` My Friends '' `` You 're My Star '' `` Innocent '' `` Could You Be the One ? '' `` In a Moment '' `` Indian Summer '' `` Graffiti on the Train '' `` We Share the Same Sun '' `` C'est la Vie '' `` I Wanna Get Lost with You '' `` Song for the Summer '' `` White Lies '' `` Mr and Mrs Smith '' `` All in One Night '' `` Caught by the Wind '' `` What 's All The Fuss About ? '' Concert videos Live at Cardiff Castle Performance and Cocktails : Live at Morfa Stadium A Day at the Races Promotional films Call Us What You Want but Do n't Call Us in the Morning Language. Sex. Violence. Other ? Rewind Decade in the Sun : Best of Stereophonics Tours Graffiti on the Train Tour Related articles Discography Songs Awards and Nominations Music of Cardiff Category : Stereophonics The Office ( UK series ) Episodes Christmas specials David Brent : Life on the Road Characters David Brent Gareth Keenan Dawn Tinsley Tim Canterbury Keith Bishop Chris Finch Jennifer Taylor - Clarke Neil Godwin Elements `` Free Love Freeway '' Foregone Conclusion Worldwide versions Rod Stewart singles 1970s `` It 's All Over Now '' ( 1970 ) `` Reason to Believe '' / `` Maggie May '' ( 1971 ) `` Every Picture Tells a Story '' / `` Reason to Believe '' ( 1971 ) Spain only `` ( I Know ) I 'm Losing You '' / `` Mandolin Wind '' ( 1971 ) `` Handbags and Gladrags '' ( 1972 ) `` You Wear It Well '' ( 1972 ) `` Angel '' ( 1972 ) `` What 's Made Milwaukee Famous ( Has Made a Loser Out of Me ) '' ( 1972 ) `` Twistin ' the Night Away '' ( 1973, 1987 ) `` Oh ! No Not My Baby '' ( 1973 ) `` Farewell '' / `` You Send Me '' ( 1973 ) `` Mine for Me '' ( 1974 ) `` You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything '' ( 1974 ) Stewart / Faces `` Sailing '' ( 1975 ) `` This Old Heart of Mine '' ( 1975 ) `` Tonight 's the Night '' ( 1976 ) `` The Killing of Georgie '' ( 1976 ) `` Get Back '' ( 1976 ) `` The First Cut Is the Deepest '' ( 1977 ) `` I Do n't Want to Talk About It '' ( 1977, 1990 ) `` You 're in My Heart ( The Final Acclaim ) '' ( 1978 ) `` Hot Legs '' ( 1978 ) `` I Was Only Joking '' ( 1978 ) `` Da Ya Think I 'm Sexy ? '' ( 1978, 1997 ) `` Ai n't Love a Bitch '' ( 1979 ) `` Blondes ( Have More Fun ) '' ( 1979 ) 1980s `` ( If Loving You Is Wrong ) I Do n't Want to Be Right '' ( 1980 ) `` Passion '' ( 1980 ) `` Tonight, I 'm Yours ( Do n't Hurt Me ) '' ( 1981 ) `` Young Turks '' ( 1982 ) `` How Long ? '' ( 1982 ) `` Baby Jane '' ( 1983 ) `` That 's What Friends Are For '' ( 1983 ) `` Infatuation '' ( 1984 ) `` Some Guys Have All the Luck '' ( 1984 ) `` All Right Now '' ( 1984 ) `` People Get Ready '' ( 1985, 1991, 1993 ) Stewart / Beck `` Love Touch '' ( 1986 ) `` In My Life '' ( 1987 ) `` Forever Young '' ( 1988 ) `` My Heart Ca n't Tell You No '' ( 1988 ) `` This Old Heart of Mine ( Is Weak for You ) '' ( 1989 ) Stewart / Isley `` Downtown Train '' ( 1989 ) 1990s `` It Takes Two '' ( 1990 ) Stewart / Turner `` Rhythm of My Heart '' ( 1991 ) `` The Motown Song '' ( 1991 ) `` Your Song '' ( 1992 ) `` Ruby Tuesday '' ( 1993 ) `` Have I Told You Lately '' ( 1993 ) `` Reason to Believe '' ( unplugged, 1993 ) `` All for Love '' ( 1993 ) Stewart / Adams / Sting `` Leave Virginia Alone '' ( 1995 ) `` Lady Luck '' ( 1996 ) `` Ooh La La '' ( 1998 ) `` Rocks '' ( 1998 ) `` Cigarettes and Alcohol '' ( 1998 ) `` Faith of the Heart '' ( 1999 ) 2000s `` These Foolish Things '' ( 2002 ) `` They Ca n't Take That Away from Me '' ( 2003 ) `` Time After Time '' ( 2003 ) `` What a Wonderful World '' ( 2004 ) `` Blue Moon '' ( 2004 ) `` Baby, It 's Cold Outside '' ( 2005 ) `` I 've Got a Crush on You '' ( 2005 ) `` I 've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm '' ( 2006 ) `` Have You Ever Seen the Rain ? '' ( 2006 ) 2010s `` Let It Snow ! Let It Snow ! Let It Snow ! '' ( 2012 ) `` Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas '' ( 2012 ) `` Everyday '' ( 2015 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Handbags_and_Gladrags&oldid=840888673 '' Categories : 1967 singles 1970 singles 1972 singles 1973 singles 2001 singles 2002 singles Songs written by Mike d'Abo Manfred Mann songs Rod Stewart songs Stereophonics songs Jon English songs The Office Theme music 1967 songs Immediate Records singles Mercury Records singles V2 Records singles Hidden categories : Use British English from October 2012 Use dmy dates from October 2012 Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016 Singlechart usages for Flanders Tip Singlechart usages for Ireland2 Singlechart called without artist Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for Scotland Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for UK Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Talk Contents About Wikipedia Norsk nynorsk Edit links This page was last edited on 12 May 2018, at 19 : 52. 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Question: who did the original version of handbags and gladrags
Answer: Chris Farlowe