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.

BMG / Camden 2002 re-release

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes.

Musicians

The Blow Monkeys Other musicians

Technical

Singles from the album

Charts

Release details

Cassette 1987