About the song
Background:
- “Handbags and Gladrags” was originally written by Mike d’Abo in 1967, who was then the lead singer of Manfred Mann.
- The song was first recorded by Chris Farlowe in 1967 and later covered by several artists, including Rod Stewart, whose version appeared on his 1969 album “An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down”.
- Stewart’s rendition of the song, with its soulful vocals and melancholic arrangement, became a classic and is considered one of his signature tunes.
- The song has also been used as the theme for the UK and US versions of the television show “The Office”.
Themes:
- Materialism and Superficiality: The song critiques the pursuit of material possessions (“handbags and gladrags”) and shallow values. It suggests that these things don’t bring lasting happiness or fulfillment.
- Life’s Challenges and Hardships: The lyrics paint a picture of life’s struggles through vivid imagery of a blind man, a young girl growing old, a schoolgirl with a baby, and a teenage addict. This highlights the harsh realities that many people face.
- Unheeded Advice: The bridge suggests that the protagonist has been warned about the futility of chasing material things but has chosen to ignore this wisdom.
Overall, “Handbags and Gladrags” is a poignant reflection on the pursuit of happiness and meaning in life. It serves as a reminder that true fulfillment often comes from deeper values and connections, not from material possessions.
Video
Lyrics
Ever seen 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 glad-rags
That your granddad had to sweat so you could buy?
Baby
Once I was a young man
And all I thought I had to do was smile
You are still a young girl
And you bought everything in style
Listen
But once you think you’re in, you’re out
‘Cause you don’t mean a single thing without
The handbags and the glad-rags
That your granddad had to sweat so you could buy
Ooh
Sing a song of six-pence for your sake
And take a bottle full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake
And bake them 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 glad-rags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy
Oh, whoa
They told me you missed school today
So I suggest you just throw them all away
The handbags and the glad-rags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy ya, baby
Bye, bye