She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter

She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter
Studio album by The Blow Monkeys
Released January 5, 1987
Recorded 1986-1987
Genre Pop rock, new wave, blue-eyed soul
Length 50:48 (LP) / 64:13 (CD)
Label RCA/Ariola (1987);
BMG/Camden (2002)
Producer Michael Baker
for Simple Simon Inc.
with help from
The Axeman
The Blow Monkeys chronology
Animal Magic
(1986)		 She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter (1987) Whoops! There Goes the Neighbourhood
(1988)
Professional ratings
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She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter is the third album from British band, The Blow Monkeys, originally released in 1987.

The album title was a reference to the then-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 titles and lyrics on this album reflected the dissatisfaction of Dr Robert and The Blow Monkeys with the then political situation in the UK. 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

Their record label RCA invested heavily in the promotion of She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter by issuing 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 Album Chart in April 1987 (only their 1989 greatest hits compilation, Choices - The Singles Collection, fared better, getting to No. 5). It was also their only album which spawned four UK Top 75 singles. The popular opening track, "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way", proved to be their most successful single ever, reaching No. 5 in the UK.

The album's other three singles were: the suggestive ballad "Out With Her" (No. 30); "Some Kind of Wonderful" (No. 67); "(Celebrate) The Day After You". The last of these was a duet with Curtis Mayfield, which was remixed for the single version, enhancing the already dancey rhythm of the original: the song was banned by the BBC as it was released during general election and, as such, was deemed to be too political.

She Was Only a Grocer's Daughter also included another remarkable ballad, "Beautiful Child" (a non-album duet version also exists, again with Curtis Mayfield), while Checking Out" was later reworked on Springtime for the World in a more defined, powerful way. Singer/songwriter Grayson Hugh, who would be signed as an artist by RCA, was hired to sing backup vocals on "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Rise Above" and "Don't Give It Up".

Track listing

Words and music by Dr. Robert

  1. "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" — 4:00
  2. "Some Kind of Wonderful" — 3:33
  3. "Out with Her" — 4:40
  4. "How Long Can a Bad Thing Last?" — 4:07
  5. "Man at the End of His Tether" — 4:00
  6. "Rise Above" — 4:53
  7. "The Day After You (Celebrate)" — 5:00
  8. "Checking Out" — 4:58
  9. "Don't Give It Up" — 5:46
  10. "Cash" — 6:01
  11. "Beautiful Child" — 3:50
  12. "This Is the Way It Has to Be" (CD only) — 6:05
  13. "The Grantham Grizzler" (CD only) — 7:20

BMG / Camden 2002 re-release

  1. "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way"
  2. "Some Kind of Wonderful"
  3. "Out with Her"
  4. "How Long Can a Bad Thing Last?"
  5. "Man at the End of His Tether"
  6. "Rise Above"
  7. "(Celebrate) The Day After You"
  8. "Checking Out"
  9. "Don't Give It Up"
  10. "Cash"
  11. "Beautiful Child"
  12. "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way" [Long]
  13. "(Celebrate) The Day After You" [Unity Mix]
  14. "Smile on Her Face" (Sweet Murder)
  15. "Grantham Grizzler"

Singles from the album

Release details

Country Date Label Format Catalogue
UK 1987 RCA/Ariola CD PD 71245
LP PL 71245
MC PK 71245
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