Handbags and Gladrags

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“Handbags and Gladrags”
Single by Chris Farlowe from the album The Last Goodbye
B-side	"Everyone Makes A Mistake"
Released	1967
Format	7"
Recorded	Early 1967
Genre	Rock
Length	3:30
Label	Immediate
Writer(s)	Mike d'Abo
Chris Farlowe singles chronology
Moanin' (1967) Handbags and Gladrags (1967) Paint It Black (1967)

“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"
Released	1972
Length	4:24
Label	Mercury
Writer(s)	Mike d'Abo
Rod Stewart singles chronology
(I Know) I'm Losing You (1971) Handbags and Gladrags (1972) You Wear It Well (1972)

“Handbags and Gladrags”
Single by Stereophonics from the album Just Enough Education to Perform
B-side	"Have a Nice Day"
Released	2001
Length	4:46
Label	V2
Writer(s)	Mike d'Abo
Stereophonics singles chronology
Step On My Old Size Nines (2001) Handbags and Gladrags (2001) Vegas Two Times (2002)

"Handbags and Gladrags" is the name of a song written in 1967 by Mike d'Abo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann.

Contents 1 Chris Farlowe version 2 Rod Stewart version 3 The Office theme song 4 Version release history

[edit] Chris Farlowe version

In 1967, singer Chris Farlowe was the first to release a version of the song. It became a #33 hit in the United Kingdom for Immediate Records...

[edit] Rod Stewart version

In 1969, Rod Stewart recorded a version for the 1970 album An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down. This version of the song was arranged by Mike d'Abo himself, 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.

[edit] 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 comedy 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

All vocal versions feature the vocal performance of former Waysted vocalist Fin.

In series one, episode four, a version performed by Ricky Gervais (in character as David Brent) was featured over the end credits.

[edit] Version release history

• 1967 - Chris Farlowe.
• 1967 - Double Feature as a single for Deram Records.
• 1968 - Love Affair on the album Everlasting Love Affair.
• 1969 - Kate Taylor (Sister of James).
• 1970 - Mike D'Abo.
• 1970 - Rod Stewart.
• 1971 - Chase on their eponymous album. Charted as a single that peaked at #84.
• 1971 - Brian Marshall on his eponymous album.
• 1973 - Jon English on the album Wine Dark Sea.
• 1975 - Chris Farlowe on the album Chris Farlowe Band Live.
• 1992 - Mary Coughlan on the album Sentimental Killers.
• 1993 - Rod Stewart on the album Unplugged... and Seated.
• 2001 - Stereophonics as a single that charted in the top 10.
• 2002 - Rod Stewart on the live album Party at the Palace.
• 2004 - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on the album Symphonic Rock
• 2005 - Chris Farlowe on the album Hungary For The Blues.
• 2007 - Engelbert Humperdinck on the album "The Winding Road" (Best of the Brits)
• 2007 - Waysted on the album The Harsh Reality

v • d • e The Office (UK TV series) Episodes Series One: One • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six Series Two: One • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six Christmas specials Creators Ricky Gervais • Stephen Merchant Cast and Characters Mackenzie Crook (Gareth Keenan) • Lucy Davis (Dawn Tinsley) • Martin Freeman (Tim Canterbury) • Ricky Gervais (David Brent) • more Elements Handbags and Gladrags • Worldwide versions