Handbags and Gladrags is a song written in 1967 by Mike dAbo, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann. DAbo describes the song as saying to a teenage girl that the way to happiness is not through being trendy. There are deeper values. In 1969, Rod Stewart, who has always been such a great interpreter of other peoples songs, recorded a version for the album An Old Raincoat Wont Ever Let You Down. This version of the song was arranged by Mike dAbo, 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. Although never a hit single for Stewart in the UK, in recognition of its renewed popularity following its use for the television series The Office and Stereophonics returning it to the charts, Stewart performed Handbags and Gladrags (backed by Phil Collins on drums) as his only song at the Party at the Palace in 2002. (If you like you can also check out the other great performances that follow Rod Stewarts here, notably those of the Kinks and the late great Joe Cocker!)
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 01:37:12 +0000