In 1967, Mike D’Abo wrote the song ‘Handbags and Gladrags’, trying to get over the point that fashionable clothes and designer labels are not the way to find happiness. That same year it was recorded by Chris Farlowe, a British singer with a powerful voice who is almost forgotten now. I bought that single, aged fifteen. Two years later, Rod Stewart recorded his version of the song. Although I still liked Chris’s original, I liked the actual song enough to buy Rod’s album too.
Then much later, in 2001, the Welsh band The Sterophonics released their version of the song, which was also used as the theme song for the TV series ‘The Office’. I liked their version a lot, and bought a copy. Then I decided that I really much preferred their more soulful-voiced and orchestrated version to both of the others.
So for a change, I am presenting all three versions, in time order. I still enjoy them all, for different reasons.
Chris Farlowe. (The date on the video is wrong, it was 1967)
Rod Stewart.
The Stereophonics.
Ever see a blind man cross the road
Trying to make the other side?
Ever seen a young girl growing old
Trying to make herself a bride?
So what becomes of you, my love?
When they have finally stripped you of
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad
Had to sweat to buy you, baby
Once I was a young man
And all I thought I had to do was smile
Well, you are still a young girl
And you’ve borne everything in style
So once you think you’re in, you’re out
‘Cause you don’t mean a single thing without
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad
Had to sweat to buy you
Sing a song of six-pence for your sake
And drink a bottle full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake
And bake ’em all in a pie
They told me you missed school today
So what I suggest you just throw them all away
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad
Had to sweat to buy, oh-woah
They told me you missed school today
So what I suggest you just throw them all away
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad
Had to sweat to buy you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Mike D’abo
Handbags And Gladrags lyrics © Emi United Partnership Ltd
My favorite is the Rod Stewart version. Great song, Pete.
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Quite a few ‘votes’ for Rod. ☺
Best wishes, Pete.
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😀
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I would say that song is adequately covered. Warmest regards, Ed
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Yes, I do agree. (Especially as I own all 3 versions)
Best wishes, Pete.
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I still think Rod Stewart did it best.
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Everyone has their own favourite version, that’s fine.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I agree that each has its own intrinsic value… I am still a fan of Rod Stewart’s
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We all have our favourite versions. Thanks for listening, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I’m not crazy about any of the voices. I do like the piano Rod Stewart used in his arrangement of the song, however.
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Sorry to hear you didn’t like any of them. They are all very ‘British’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Stereophonics for me too. I like big sounds.
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Happy to hear that, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Me… a big Rod Stewart fan but Stereophonics did this one the best…
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Glad you agree, Ned.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The final version does retain some Rod Stewart vibes, but does sounds like it was written in the 2000s. Shows how some songs can have longevity.
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It does indeed, and also shows they can be improved upon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A popular theme. This one immediately reminded me of an obscure Alan Parson’s song. I wonder why, what with all the materialism songs out there. Anyway, I’d never heard the original from the big voiced belter.😳
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Chris Farlowe had a few hits here, including the Jagger-Richards song ‘Out Of Time’, and his versions of ‘Paint It Black’, and ‘Stormy Monday’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great choice – it shows how good a song is when it can be covered so well by such great artists. They don’t tweak it much but all versions sound different. 🙂
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Each version adds its own style, and you can see how the song changes slightly over time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve heard the rod version, but loved hearing the others
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I hope that one day the Stereophonics version will be the ‘definitive’ one, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember Rod’s version…..good choice. chuq
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Thanks, chuq. It is rare for me to own three versions of the same song.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have only ever heard the Rod Stewart version. It was the first time I had ever heard that expression. I agree, all versions are very good for different reasons.
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They are of their time, and all slightly different.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The Stereophonic version wins for me, he did a great vocal for it IMHO, lovely!
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Definitely the best of the bunch. He really ‘felt’ the song, and he’s a great singer.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Having only heard Rod’s version I enjoyed the other two versions especially the Sterophonics xx
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I think they nailed the real feel of the song.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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They did indeed, Pete x
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one of my favourite songs, Pete…
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Mine too. Happy to hear that.
Best wishes, pete.
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I only knew the Rod Stewart version. I love early Rod Stewart
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I think he should have given up a long time ago, but his work with The Faces and early solo career has a lot to be said for it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I agree, I never really bought him as a sex symbol (Do ya think I’m sexy? – er, no Rod) but his early stuff was great, with or without the Faces
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