She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter is the third album by British pop band the Blow Monkeys, originally released in 1987.
The album's title is a reference to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher, whose Conservative government was unpopular with left wing, pro-Labour Party music acts of the 1980s (including the Blow Monkeys), some of whom joined the Red Wedge movement as part of their political activism.
Some songs on the album reflect dissatisfaction with the political situation in the UK at the time. After a gradual shift towards a slicker, pop-oriented style, the Blow Monkeys also introduced a dance beat, which became a defining feature of the band's later releases.
History
The band's record label RCA invested heavily in the promotion of She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter by issuing it in several different editions (e.g. the vinyl LP included 10 songs and a thick photo book, while the CD was released in two versions, with bonus tracks and alternative track listings, as well as slightly modified song titles).
She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter peaked at No. 20 in the UK Albums Chart in April 1987 (only their 1989 greatest hits compilation, Choices – The Singles Collection, fared better, reaching No. 5). It was the band's only album to spawn four UK top 75 singles. The opening track, "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way", proved to be their most successful single, reaching No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart.
The album's three other singles were: the suggestive ballad "Out with Her" (No. 30); "(Celebrate) The Day After You" (No. 52); "Some Kind of Wonderful" (No. 67). "(Celebrate) The Day After You" is a duet with Curtis Mayfield, which was remixed for the single version. The song was banned by the BBC as it was released during a general election and, as such, was deemed to be too political.
Track listing
Words and music by Dr. Robert.
"It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" – 4:00
"Some Kind of Wonderful" – 3:33
"Out with Her" – 4:40
"How Long Can a Bad Thing Last?" – 4:07
"Man at the End of His Tether" – 4:00
"Rise Above" – 4:53
"The Day After You (Celebrate)" – 5:00
"Checking Out" – 4:58
"Don't Give It Up" – 5:46
"Cash" – 6:01
"Beautiful Child" – 3:50
"This Is the Way It Has to Be" (CD only) – 6:05
"The Grantham Grizzler" (CD only) – 7:20
BMG / Camden 2002 re-release
"It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" "Some Kind of Wonderful" "Out with Her" "How Long Can a Bad Thing Last?" "Man at the End of His Tether" "Rise Above" "(Celebrate) The Day After You" "Checking Out" "Don't Give It Up" "Cash" "Beautiful Child" "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" [Long] "(Celebrate) The Day After You" [Unity Mix] "Smile on Her Face" (Sweet Murder) "Grantham Grizzler"
Personnel
Adapted from the album's liner notes.
Musicians
The Blow Monkeys
Dr. Robert – vocals, guitar, string arrangements
Neville Henry – saxophone
Tony Kiley – Drums
Mick Anker – bass guitar
Other musicians
Michael Baker – keyboards, string arrangements
The Borneo Horn Section – horns
Tim Bryant – backing vocals
Craig Derry – backing vocals
Will Downing – backing vocals
Grayson Hughes – backing vocals
Jimmy Jackson – backing vocals
Axel Kroel – keyboards, string arrangements
Sylvia Mason-James – backing vocals
John Mealing – string arrangements
Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
Gary Rottger – keyboards
Phil Roy – backing vocals
Ira Siegel – guitar
Roger Stuart – backing vocals
Steve Sydelnick – additional percussion
Benita Turner – backing vocals
Marius de Vries – keyboards
Audrey Wheeler – backing vocals
Peter Wilson – string arrangements
Gavyn Wright – strings
Helen Wright – strings
Paula Yates – backing vocals
Technical
Produced by Michael Baker, with help from the Axeman
Recording engineer: Douglas Gramma
Mixed by Brian "Chuck" New, Bob Kraushaar, Douglas Gramma, Rafe McKenna
Recorded at D&D Studios (New York), The Point Studios, Trident Studios, Swanyard Studios, Westside Studios (London) Programmed at Synthnett Studios (New York), The Point Studios (London) Mixed at Battery Studios, Sarm West, Red Bus Studios Nick Knight: photography Sleeve design: Mainartery, London