"Mansize Rooster" is a song by English rock band Supergrass, released as the second single from their debut album, I Should Coco (1995). It reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, remaining on the chart for three weeks.[2][3]
| "Mansize Rooster" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Supergrass | ||||
| from the album I Should Coco | ||||
| B-side | "Sitting Up Straight" | |||
| Released | 6 February 1995[1] | |||
| Recorded | Sawmills (Golant, England) | |||
| Length | 2:36 | |||
| Label | Parlophone | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Supergrass | |||
| Producer(s) | Sam Williams | |||
| Supergrass singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Alternative cover | ||||
 French version of the single cover | ||||
Like its predecessor "Caught by the Fuzz", "Mansize Rooster" was originally released in 1994 as a limited-run 7-inch vinyl-only release on Backbeat Records. There were two pressings of 500 copies on Backbeat; the first pressing was on lime green vinyl and the second pressing was on translucent grass-green vinyl. Both sides of the original Backbeat 7" feature the original demo versions and were subsequently re-recorded when the band signed to EMI/Parlophone Records later in 1994.[4]
It was played as Supergrass' first ever live television performance on The Word in 1995.[5] The song is used in the film Casper: A Spirited Beginning and is included in its soundtrack.
Music video
editThe video (which was filmed on a low-budget[6]) begins with various shots of Gaz Coombes' eyes, ears/sideburns and mouth, then all three of the band are shown with Gaz in the foreground whilst Danny Goffey and Mick Quinn shake their heads wildly behind him. A bathtub in a completely black room is then seen, with the leaves of a potted fern dangling over it; a plug is dropped into the bathtub as it begins to fill up with dyed blue water. Yellow rubber ducks are also later seen in the water. Scenes of the band in an entirely white room playing their instruments, dancing crazily, jumping around in front of a mirror and holding up screens of each other are shown.
By this point all three members of Supergrass are sitting together in the bathtub naked, flicking each other with water and pulling faces. Later on the bathtub lurches forward and speeds off with the band still inside, holding onto the taps for support. At one stage there is use of a clapperboard. During one of the final choruses, Mick and Danny lift a screen up in front of Gaz and he 'transforms' into a woman (in drag with a white-blonde wig, lipstick, a beauty spot and false breasts). The video ends with the band walking in an odd fashion off into the distance as the picture fades out. Throughout the video there is also the occasional use of strobe lighting.
Gaz Coombes uses his red Gibson SG guitar during filming.
Single artwork
editThe cover artwork, designed by Designers Republic and photographed by Ed Coombes, is a lavish symmetrical pattern, which is slightly cartoon-like. It was commissioned, as the previous ("Caught by the Fuzz") single's artwork was, by the Designers Republic. Coombes, who was responsible for the photography, is in fact another member of the Coombes family. The French version features the band playing Twister on the cover.
Track listings
editCD CDR6402
- "Mansize Rooster" (2:36)
- "Sitting Up Straight" (2:19)
- "Odd?" (4:10): Members of the band can be heard blowing bubbles into a bucket during the outro of this song.[7]
7-inch RS6402; limited-edition red 7-inch R6402; cassette TCR6402
- "Mansize Rooster" (2:36)
- "Sitting Up Straight" (2:19)
French CD
- "Mansize Rooster" (2:34)
References
edit- ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 4 February 1995. p. 35.
- ^ The Strange Ones Supergrass Site
- ^ Supergrass biography: beginnings, career, success Archived 24 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [1]
- ^ YouTube - Supergrass-Mansize rooster
- ^ Boards :: Dom & Nic Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Discography". Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008. - Navigate to "Mansize Rooster" (1995 release)